How Effective Is Don Rogers' Communication Skills?

1. How effective is Don Rogers' communication skills?

He was never a good fit for the EPD. Rogers never anticipated the increase in competition (mistake 1) which shows he was not tied to the sales force. It was mentioned that he does not listen in meetings and not holding managers responsible for their goals (mistakes 2&3). He split up marketing, sales, and product development causing confusion and miscommunication (mistake 5). He replaced several top managers when the EPD was sucessful with rather inexperienced people. (mistake 6) Most of all he seems to have no sense of urgency with the dire situation the company faces. His division could implode at any time costing everyone their jobs. He is now just realizing changes need to be met? He needs to go. (Suesse, 2007)

Rogers transferred Rogers needs to be physically present ot learn about and lead a fractious organization. Market conditions require marketing to be closely coordinated with sales and the plants and everyone to be in colose communication.

2. How well does he perform in planning and organizing?

3. Short term:

4. - Manufacturing and sales should be housed together to create a plan that would allow for continued growth and decreasing manufactures costs. This would also allow for better communication and foster an environment for collaborations and cooperation.

5. - Rogers should put into place a clear and focused vision that all departments understand, respect and perform to. In putting this vision of the organization together, Rogers should get the opinions (negatives and postivites) from the employees

6. - Rogers should put back into place the evaluations

7. - He should have a more visible presence in the organization. He is well trained in the technical aspects but needs to learn more about the other apsects of the division.

8. Long term:

9. - EPD's organization should reflect the style Allentown's. More frequent meetings and interactions with employees will help to strengthen communication skills and ensure that the company is on the same page for success.

10. - EPD should put into place incentives encourage employees to share their opinions. Employees should feel empowered to contribute to the growth of the organization.

11. - Rogers needs to acknowledge that he is part of the problem and be willing to change his leadership, management and communication skills. This will establish sound relationships within the company, develop his/the company's reputation and in turn increase sales.

12. - Monthly seminars or workshops on leadership/management/decisions building skills will help the company. The divisions need sound leaders who can communicate well.

13. To help EPD be more competitive in the short term, manufacturing and sales should work together to develop a plan to increase the company's quality and service while keeping manufacturing costs low. Additionally, manufacturing and product development should collaborate to develop ideas for low cost components they can use in new products to keep costs down.

14. Also, Don Rodgers should develop a vision for EPD and ensure that all departments are aware of this vision and what their role is in carrying it forward. He should also restart the evaluation effort that he killed upon arrival and be more attentive to day-to-day operations.

15. Over the long term, EPD should change their culture to be similar to that of Allentown's corporate center - there should be more frequent meetings and informal interactions between employees. EPD should reward new ideas to inspire employees to speak up about solutions they may have for EPD's

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