Hr case study – Brightest face of Indian Management
He ad become the president 5 yr later and the youngest chairman of the company at 45. But, by the time he was 50, the whizzed had acquired the larger than life image of a role model for the younger mangers and the statesman who symbolized the best and brightest face of Indian Management. On his wife suggestion that it would be wise to discuss the move with one of his trusted colleagues before making a formal announcement of his Intention to seek premature retirement. Divan called on Mr.
. Ram Charka Saxons, a solicitor who has been on the vertigo board for over a decade. Saxons was surprised at Divan’s plans.
But he was unfazed. “If that was what you want to do for the rest of your life, we can only wish you well”, he told him.
Were board will miss you”. But the business should go on. We should get down to the task of choosing a successor. The sooner it is done, the better”. “L think the choice is quite obvious”, said Divan, “Ran Woozier”. He is good and ” Divan was taken aback to see Saxons grimace.
“You don’t have anything against him, do you”? He asked him. “No, no,” said Saxons. “He is good. A financial strategist and a visionary. His conceptual skills have served the company well.
But he has always had staff role with o line experience. What we need is someone from operations. Like Richard Carats. ” “Richard knows things Inside out alright”, said Divan, but he is Just a doer. Not fire In the belly.
Vertigo needs someone who understands the value of power and knows how to use It. Like me, Like Ran. ” “That Is Just the problem”, said Saxons. “Prep let me tell you something. Ran Is a man In your own Image. Everyone knows that he Is your prop©g©.
And prop©g©s are never popular. He has generated a lot of resentment among senior Vertigo executives and there would be a revolt if he were to succeed you.
An exodus is something we can’t afford to have on our hands. We should think of something else in the interest of stability of top management. ” Divan could not believe what he heard. He had always prided himself on his hands-on style and thought he has his ear to the ground.
“How could I loose touch? ” He wondered, somewhat shaken. “When you are the boss, people accept your authority without question,” continued Saxons. “In any case, you have been successful at Vertigo and it is difficult to argue with success. But the moment you announce your intentions to leave, the aura begins to fade away.
And In deciding on your successor, the board will seek your pollen, with due regard to your Judgment. The board members must do what In their view Is right for the company.
Having said that, may I also mention that if there is a showdown in the boardroom, you could always choose to stay on? We would Like It. Or we could rolling In an outsider. ” “l nave Tattletale my career plans Ana there is no question of staying on beyond 6 months from now. ,” said Divan. “The board is scheduled to meet next month.
Let us shelve the matter till then. In the meantime, I rely on you, Ram to keep this discussion between the two of us. Of course yes” said Saxons. On his way home, Divan thought about the matter in detail. Bringing an outsider would undo all his life’s work at Vertigo.
There were considerations like culture and compatibility which were paramount. The chairman had to be an inside man. “Richard lacks stature,” Divan said to himself. Raman is the one I have been grooming , but heavens, the flip side of it all had missed me completely. There is no way I can allow a split at the top Just before I quit. I must leave on a high note in my own interest.
I must find a way out of the imminent mess. ” Question What should Divan do ?