Too Big For His Britches

Authors
Kay A. Hodge, Donald A. Carpenter
Region
North America
Topic
Strategy & General Management
Length
5 pages
Keywords
small business management
succession planning
small business
family-owned business
decision making
Copyright Holder
Journal of Case Studies
Student Price
$4.00
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students

Chad had been fired from a part-time job he enjoyed and where he had performed well. After a meeting with Dan, Sr., Chad went to his car and pondered the reason for his termination. He thought about the changes that had occurred at the business over the past several years. He also thought about what he had heard about the interactions between the Dan, Sr. and Dan, Jr., the owners of the business. He had great empathy for Dan, Sr. but he did wonder if letting Dan, Jr. was a smart move on the part of a man whom he had grown to admire over the past several years.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Evaluate how the business in the case fits into David Bork’s ten qualities necessary for a successful family business.
  2. Discuss the value of a succession plan and how this applies/does not apply to this case.
  3. Examine Dan Jr’s leadership capabilities. Compare Dan Jr’s leadership capabilities with those of his father.
  4. Assess the role of rumors and impropriety in the workplace.