Politics & Pose Bookstore

Politics & Pose Bookstore

1. Given your understanding of the change process, what went wrong in this case?

Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade opened the bookstore 26 years ago. During the time Ms. Cohen and Ms. Meade decided to make a change they were in their mid-60's. According to Washington Post, the store had 60 employees and Ms. Meade they were not looking for a buyer but someone who would continue the legacy they have built. With Ms. Cohen and Ms. Meade being of age and health problems arising, they both knew that they could not run the business anymore. During 2003, they hired Danny Gainsburg unsuccessfully as a new business partner. Their intentions were to have Mr. Gainsburg work and learn all aspects of the business with the understanding that he would assume sole ownership. Once the faithful staff for many years had knowledge of the business transactions that was made without their input, they rebelled and Mr. Gainsburg was given his money back.

What went wrong in this case is that Ms Cohen and Ms Meade were willing to have another partner that could run the business and eventually becomes the new owner, but failed to announce this to the loyal employees. They automatically assumed that none of the current employees could afford to buy it. In my opinion, are regardless if the owners thought none of the employees could afford to the buy the bookstore, they should have been given the opportunity. I think the change manager director image was used in this case and the outcome image was nurturer. Due to the lack of communication on the owner's part, the employers at the bookstore did not professionally or personally care for Mr. Gainsburg. Knowing your employers, listening and effective communication was not used in this case. Sharing the vision with the employers, encouraging involvement and promoting feedback would have helped in the employers behaving according to the change.

2. What would have done differently?

If I owned a business of this nature, I would involve all the employees and Mr. Gainsburg. Sometimes in business of this nature, the employees would buy the owners out and they become co-owners of the business. I would share my vision on the direction I want the bookstore to go and explain the reason why I wanted to sell. Effective communication would be the key to my success. If the employers could not me the offer that was put on the table, then I would give Mr. Gainsburg a chance. By involving everyone, the business would remain to operate in the best interest for everyone. I would use the change manager nurturer image.