Redrawing the Lines in Denver

A group HR director and an organisational consultant meet in a Denver high-rise to discuss restructuring the company's regional units.

Redrawing the Lines in Denver

Listen and choose the right answer

What main issue prompts Robert to suggest rethinking the company's organisational design?

• Severe duplication of effort between regional hubs
• A sudden drop in quarterly sales across all divisions
• Complaints from the board about excessive legal expenses

Why does Melissa claim nobody will touch the sales division?

• Because it generates all the company's revenue
• By virtue of its history and strong local autonomy
• Because the sales director is the CEO's brother

What solution does Robert propose to address the reporting lines?

• A complete liquidation of regional offices
• A dotted-line reporting system connecting managers to a centre of excellence
• Outsourcing the entire management structure to a third party

What surprising discovery does Melissa make when examining the current organogram?

• The company is bankrupt
• The chart is identical to the one from before the last reorganisation because it was quietly reversed
• All regional directors have resigned

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Robert: Melissa, in view of the severe duplication of effort between our regional hubs, we really need to rethink our ____ .
• Melissa: I noticed that too, Robert, especially when looking at how each ____ operates independently without sharing services.
• Robert: True, the sales directors would throw a massive tantrum if we messed with their precious ____ status.
• Melissa: Indeed they would, so we need a more subtle ____ instead of a blunt corporate reorganisation.
• Robert: What if we introduce a ____ system connecting regional managers directly to our centre of excellence?

Sources: photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels