Ateneo Graduate School of Business

Rockwell Drive, Makati City

BUSINESS ETHICS

LLENARESAS, MONICA KRISTINE M.

Prof. Leveric T. Ng

April 27, 2017

 Case Study: SmartStyle Salons 1

Discussion Questions:

1. What positive and negative managerial characteristics does Jamika posses?

Jamika Westbrooke is a dedicated employee. She has a vision and an ambition to

succeed. Since she started from the ranks as a shampoo assistant, went up the ladder

to become a top hairdresser, and now, a manager, it is fair to say that she is

knowledgeable in the ins and outs of her company. She has the technical knowledge

that must be possessed by a first line manager. Jamika was also initially likened by

her people as she has shown care towards them, a necessary human skill a manager

who works directly with employees on a daily basis must possess. However, Jamika

faltered in her role as a crisis leader when the economic woes hit her company. She

prioritized her personal advancement of securing a better role instead of focusing

more on business strategies that could’ve lessen the effect of economic downturn.

Along the way, she became distracted and forgot to motivate and show genuine care

and respect to her employees. She was not able to communicate effectively the need

to raise more profit thru longer working hours and instead, just denied the leave

request of her hairdressers. She attempted to use fear to make her employees follow

her instead of communicating effectively to them. Further, because of her fear that

one of her employees might get her desired position, she also failed to empower and

delegate. She clearly intended to hinder the career development of her people for her

own personal advancement.

2. How do these traits help or hinder her potentials to get the top position at Riverwood

Mall salon?
 Case Study: SmartStyle Salons 1

As a first line manager rises to a higher managerial position, the necessary human

skill of showing genuine care, people empowerment, and maintaining good working

relations with employees become more important. Jamika losing these valued human

skills during the time of uncertainty and economic crisis might hinder her ambition to

land the top position. She has been a good candidate when things the company’s

financials were running smoothly. She possessed the technical skills, was dedicated

with her job, and she was loved by her people. For her to continuously succeed and

rise up the ladder, she must bring these good characters with her. She must be more

collaborative with her people and think more holistically, not just her own personal

advances. Since in the end, if she is able to cushion the effect of economic downturn

through an effective, supportive, and concerned workforce and an engaged manager,

her efforts will most definitely be recognized.

3. How do you think Jamika should have handled each of the incidents with Marianne?

Holly and Carol Jeane? Victoria?

Instead of slamming doors at employees and showing an irate side, Jamika could’ve

handled things more professionally and with grace and respect to her employees.

Growing respect and loyalty from employees towards management through fear has

never been successful. Jamika should’ve handled Mariane’s actions by personally

talking to her behind closed doors instead of showing everyone, including her clients,

their unhealthy internal working relationships. With the absentees, Jamika should’ve

talked to them in person to explain the staff support that she needs to secure more

sales and that absenteeism may not be possible at the moment since it will entail loss
 Case Study: SmartStyle Salons 1

of sales for the company. She should have effectively communicated this goal to her

staff to ensure that all of them are working towards the same objective. On the case

with Victoria, she should’ve contained her fear and rationalized more her actions as a

manager. She should’ve welcomed the help offered to her and stayed focused on the

management works and reports she was supposed to handle. She needs all the help

she can have. And more importantly, as a manager, she has the responsibility also to

develop her employees by empowering them. If and when they are able to go past

her, she must still be proud since this also means that she was able to effectively

contribute in the honing of the management skills of the person.