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Supplement | HBS Case Collection | February 2004 (Revised May 2005)

Confronting a Necessary Evil: The Firing of Alex Robins (B)

by Joshua D. Margolis

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Abstract

A manager recounts his experience firing the person he was asked to replace and reflects on the challenges of the experience. Teaching Purpose: To role-play and reflect on tasks that entail harming other people to fulfill one's responsibility.

Keywords: Resignation and Termination;

Language: English Format: Print 5 pages Purchase

Citation:

Margolis, Joshua D. "Confronting a Necessary Evil: The Firing of Alex Robins (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 404-113, February 2004. (Revised May 2005.)

About the Author

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Joshua D. Margolis
James Dinan and Elizabeth Miller Professor of Business Administration
Organizational Behavior

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More from the Author

  • Case | HBS Case Collection | October 2017 (Revised March 2018)

    RB

    Joshua Margolis, Vincent Dessain and Jerome Lenhardt

    "As 2016 was approaching its end, Rakesh Kapoor, CEO of RB, one of the world’s major fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, envisioned the prospect of a major acquisition that would add a line of health-related products that promised growth in the developing markets of Asia. The acquisition would also move RB closer in size to its better-known rivals, such as Unilever or P&G. RB, formerly Reckitt Benckiser, produced health, hygiene and home products and its strategy revolved around 19 top-selling global brands known as Powerbrands, such as antiseptic Dettol or sore throat medicine Strepsils, cold remedy Mucinex. In 2016, the company recorded sales of $13.4 billion and a market capitalization of $62 billion. Kapoor wondered whether the moment was ripe for a major acquisition or if the organization needed more time to adapt to its new health and hygiene oriented strategy and some key organizational changes. Could Kapoor keep what made RB so unique among its FMCG peers intact through this transformation, and would an acquisition advance or jeopardize what distinguished RB?"

    Keywords: Organization Behavior; corporate culture; Mergers & Acquisitions; Growth; geographic development; Mergers and Acquisitions; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Growth and Development Strategy; France;

    Citation:

    Margolis, Joshua, Vincent Dessain, and Jerome Lenhardt. "RB." Harvard Business School Case 418-033, October 2017. (Revised March 2018.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducators Related
  • Case | HBS Case Collection | January 2018 (Revised March 2018)

    Lagunitas Brewing Company

    Joshua Margolis, Allison Ciechanover and Jeff Huizinga

    The CEO of a California-based craft brewery manages new partnership with—and potential acquisition by—industry giant Heineken.

    Keywords: Food and Beverage Industry; leadership; mergers and acquisitions; culture; management; non-profit; International; organizational behavior; Food; Leadership; Mergers and Acquisitions; Organizational Culture; Management; Partners and Partnerships; Technology Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States;

    Citation:

    Margolis, Joshua, Allison Ciechanover, and Jeff Huizinga. "Lagunitas Brewing Company." Harvard Business School Case 418-017, January 2018. (Revised March 2018.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducators Related
  • Case | HBS Case Collection | March 2018

    Gene Lee Navigates the Darden Takeover

    Joshua D. Margolis, H. Lawrence Culp, James Barnett and Aldo Sesia

    Following a full takeover of Darden Restaurant’s Board of Directors, Darden COO Gene Lee is weighing an offer to become interim CEO.

    Keywords: shareholder activism; Investment Activism; Crisis Management; Personal Development and Career; Decision Choices and Conditions; Food and Beverage Industry; United States;

    Citation:

    Margolis, Joshua D., H. Lawrence Culp, James Barnett, and Aldo Sesia. "Gene Lee Navigates the Darden Takeover." Harvard Business School Case 418-015, March 2018.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducators Related
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