“A change in leadership style”

EOY.TV case study series is supported by the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland

LESSON PLAN

EOY.TV Case Study

“A change in leadership style”

Entrepreneur: Michael Carey, Jacob Fruitfield




Preface: The focus of this case-study is very clearly on the skil -set required to successful y
manage a growing business. It il ustrates how management skil s and activities can be applied on a
day to day basis in order to facilitate that development. More specifical y we see how a change in
leadership style can represent a key step in managing corporate growth.
From a leaving Cert Business perspective, students should be familiar with al of the syl abus
material in Unit 3: Managing.

The Entrepreneur


Michael Carey exhibits strong entrepreneurial characteristics right throughout this case. He speaks
initial y of being ambitious.
• Can you compile a list of other enterprising characteristics mentioned or displayed by
Michael?

The Manager


Managers carry out 6 important functions which we classify as either
Skil s: Leading, Motivating and Communicating, or
Activities: Planning, Organizing and Control ing.

• Identify 3 leadership styles you have studied. Which style most closely resembles the
leadership approach adopted by Michael Carey initial y?
• Who do you think would have been part of ‘The Management Team’?
• What was it that triggered the re-organisation of the business and the
re-structuring of the management team?

---

EOY.TV case study series is supported by the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland

Michael Carey makes a strong statement about the role of individuals and teams within a
growing organization.
“Al entrepreneurial businesses need the drive and vision of one individual to make them
happen; but I’ve never seen a successful business that solely depends on one person to be
successful”. Recognising and accepting the necessity for change is an important step in
successful management.

• Identify and il ustrate 2 suitable organisational structures for a business group such as
Jacob-Fruitfield.

• In specific terms, how does Michael dif erentiate between the role of Managing Director
and his new role of Group Chairman? How has this changed his leadership style?



When Enda Kel y (Ernst & Young) refers to seeing “the bigger picture”, he seems to be
emphasizing the importance of planning.

• Briefly outline 3 types of planning which are necessary for successful business
management. Which of these helps managers to be future focused and see “the bigger
picture”?

Michael Carey shows himself to be a lifelong planner, and he deems it a useful tool for both his
business and personal life.

PLANNING involves setting out goals, and ways of achieving them. It may be helpful to think of it
like a map - sets out where we want to go and how we wil get there.

Can be argued that it’s the most important management function, for fol owing reasons:
• REDUCES UNCERTAINTY – provides direction.
• UNIFIED APPROACH – everyone works towards same goals.
• Necessary for acquiring CAPITAL / FINANCE – Business Plan.
• Focus on current situation – positives and negatives – SWOT ANALYSIS.
• FACILITATES CHANGE – al ows workers to see need for change and plan its
implementation.









EOY.TV case study series is supported by the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland

---

As a result of his new role Michael now has the freedom to pursue other ambitions, not so crucial
to the success of the core business. He acknowledges that these overseas development projects
are beneficial not only to the business, but also help him to fulfil personal ambitions.

• Outline briefly Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If you were to plot Michael Carey’s career
alongside this hierarchy, do you think his motives (personal or business) have changed
over the years? Is there evidence in the case-study to support your answer?
• Based on the evidence in the case study, is it fair to say Michael Carey is no less
ambitious now than he was as a young graduate?

His involvement with the Heart of Africa and Trade Links projects il ustrates his desire to act in a
social y responsible manner.

RECENT LEAVING CERT QUESTIONS ON THIS TOPIC:


Distinguish between Strategic Planning and Tactical Planning. Give one example in each
case. (2008 HL Section A)

Describe two strategies that a business organisation can use to manage change.
Use examples to support your answer. (2008 HL Q5c)

Outline two benefits of teamwork to an organisation. (2008 OL Section A)

Draft and label a matrix structure for a manufacturing organisation:
2007 HL Section A (also 2006)

Maslow identified, in his hierarchical model, ‘self-actualisation’ as a human need.
(a) Self-actualisation means ______________________________
(b) Name two other human needs he also identified:
(2007 HL Section A)

Study the information supplied and answer the questions which fol ow:
The Shareholders and Managing Director fulfil important roles in a company. Leadership and
Motivation are two management skil s. Technology and modern developments in technology have
changed the role of management.
(A) Explain the role of Shareholders in a company.
(B) Describe two functions of the Managing Director of a company.
(C) Autocratic, Democratic and Laissez-faire are three styles of leadership.
Describe the characteristics of two of these leadership styles.
(D) Describe one of the fol owing theories of motivation;
(i) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs or (i ) McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y.
(E) Using examples, describe three ways in which technology has changed
the role of management. (2007 OL Q6)

---

(2006 HL ABQ): Advise Ruth on the strategies that wil help her manage the changes that have to
take place if the business is to succeed.

Describe one motivational theory commonly used in management. (10 marks)
(B) Discuss three styles of leadership. (30 marks)
(C) Using examples, analyse the importance of four dif erent enterprising skil s and relate two to
business and two to the community.
(2006 HL Q4)

Name the three management activities:
(i) ________________________________________________________________________
(i ) ________________________________________________________________________
(i i) ________________________________________________________________________
2006 O.L

---