Technology Consultants Discussion
Please read the case and answer the questions at the end. Please respond to
two of your peers. Do you agree or disagree?
Technology Consultants is a company started by a computer science
professor. Five years ago, the professor hired three graduate students and
began offering computer and technology services to local companies. The
company grew rapidly and currently employs 30 consulting specialists. The
typical specialist recently graduated from college with a degree in
information management or computer science. Each specialist is assigned to
work as part of a team that focuses on servicing the needs of specific
customers. To date, Technology Consultants have not felt a need to formalize
personnel practices. The professor spends most of his time hiring and
training new consulting specialists. He also has a part-time administrative
assistant who helps with personnel activities such as payroll.
Some customers complain about the high turnover of consulting specialists.
It seems that most consultants leave within a year after being hired. From
the customers' perspective, specialists leave just when they are beginning to
understand how to provide quality service. The professor knows this is a
problem, and she worries that such turnover may eventually lead customers
to cancel their contracts for service. In the past, she and a few key
employees were able to form long-term relationships with most clients, but
this is becoming increasingly difficult as the company grows.
Technology Consultants recruits at two local universities. This practice seems
to be effective, as most graduates from the programs have the technical
skills needed to serve clients. The hiring process consists of a series of
interviews. The professor and two other employees conduct informal
interviews and then offer jobs to individuals they feel will be successful. They
don't worry much about personality traits or past achievements; they simply
focus on assessing technical skills. The performance of each consulting
This study source was downloaded by 100000812546443 from CourseHero.com on 11-22-2023 07:18:20 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/82710326/CH14-Technology-Consultants-Discussiondocx/
Please read the case and answer the questions at the end. Please respond to
two of your peers. Do you agree or disagree?
Technology Consultants is a company started by a computer science
professor. Five years ago, the professor hired three graduate students and
began offering computer and technology services to local companies. The
company grew rapidly and currently employs 30 consulting specialists. The
typical specialist recently graduated from college with a degree in
information management or computer science. Each specialist is assigned to
work as part of a team that focuses on servicing the needs of specific
customers. To date, Technology Consultants have not felt a need to formalize
personnel practices. The professor spends most of his time hiring and
training new consulting specialists. He also has a part-time administrative
assistant who helps with personnel activities such as payroll.
Some customers complain about the high turnover of consulting specialists.
It seems that most consultants leave within a year after being hired. From
the customers' perspective, specialists leave just when they are beginning to
understand how to provide quality service. The professor knows this is a
problem, and she worries that such turnover may eventually lead customers
to cancel their contracts for service. In the past, she and a few key
employees were able to form long-term relationships with most clients, but
this is becoming increasingly difficult as the company grows.
Technology Consultants recruits at two local universities. This practice seems
to be effective, as most graduates from the programs have the technical
skills needed to serve clients. The hiring process consists of a series of
interviews. The professor and two other employees conduct informal
interviews and then offer jobs to individuals they feel will be successful. They
don't worry much about personality traits or past achievements; they simply
focus on assessing technical skills. The performance of each consulting
This study source was downloaded by 100000812546443 from CourseHero.com on 11-22-2023 07:18:20 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/82710326/CH14-Technology-Consultants-Discussiondocx/
