Modern organizations are facing a great management succession crisis. This is an issue affecting small, medium, and large firms. This case was published some decades ago but the management problems that existed are still fresh in today’s companies. After the chief executive of a renowned company in Wickersham died, there was a great problem in choosing the next president to head the firm. It was a family-owned business and so, four family members come up to vie for the vacant position. Each one of them presents different ideologies as to why they are best fit for replacing the mill’s leader. Notably, every stakeholder is affected by the death of the company’s leader. This is evident from the personal views of the four competitors. Charles’s ideology was organizationally based, Alfred focused on the production end, David was on the part of the investor and lastly, Benjamin considered a consumer as the focus area for the business. After the elections, Alfred garnered twenty percent, David ten percent, Charles twenty-two percent, and Benjamin fourth eight percent.
The same voting was conducted after some time and the results showed that Benjamin’s ideology of management was gaining popularity because she now got fifty-seven percent. This is a clear indication that service to the consumer comes first for the positive impacts of any business. The case was an event of the early years where a business goal was to focus on the production and later sell to as many customers. It is a moment where a production ideology would have been ruled by great margins. Alfred’s idea of manufacturing focused more on the business part where the mills would increase production volumes were he made president. Charles laid his management strategy on an organizational basis where a great concern would be on the whole organization. Every unit is bound to be directly affected by the new administration. David concentrated more on investors, where he was ready to invite many of them to be part of the family business. Benjamin strictly considered the consumer as an important part of the business. As a leader, the idea is to focus on the end-user of the business product. Top leadership requires that leaders take time to go out and learn the customer needs. This knowledge is then practiced through the production of goods according to the consumer’s wants. The product is marketed but the important thing at this point is that the consumer already knows the product they expect meaning that people will be willing to buy.
From an individual view, I would recommend Benjamin to be the company’s president. Her ideology is all around for a mills company because customers will be consulted for the type and form of textile that suit their needs. Charles should be the organizational chief because his skill and idea will help in organizing activities that revolve around textile production. Being a productions oriented manager, Alfred should be a production director to assist in designing and producing the textiles as to the customer’s wants. Finally, David comes as the marketing manager to suit his idea of investors that requires promotion activities. Implementation of this hierarchy will ensure that every leader’s idea is put into good use. This is a manufacturing-based company and does not require other high-level leadership positions. My opinion is that the article is of significance for the development of any business. A recommendation from this case is ensuring that a customer comes first and is satisfied to enhance continuous business growth.