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Harrison Keyes

Running head: PROBLEM SOLUTION: HARRISON-KEYES INC.

Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.


Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.
Harrison-Keyes Inc., an internationally recognized publisher, is going through a period of turmoil. With a lack of clear direction and agreed strategy by the management team, HK has difficulty getting the e-publishing project on track. On top of the recent issues, the company hired a new CEO with opposite visions on the publishing industry compared with his predecessor.

Describe the Situation
Issue and Opportunity Identification
Harrison-Keyes is a well-established global publisher of print products operating in a market with fierce competition, which has led to a decline in sales over more than a decade. One of the key challenges for Harrison-Keyes is to look for new sources of profit that will take the company into the 21st Century. The board recently fired its CEO Meg McGill, who strongly supported e-publishing. Mrs. McGill was replaced by William Guardo, a former president of a competing publisher favoring traditional publishing. Asia Publishing, the outsourcing partner will be out of business for the foreseeable future as a result of being hit by a massive coastal flooding. The new CEO found out that there is no contingency plan to respond to unexpected events.
The offshoring company Asia Digital, responsible for digital design, was hit by a massive coastal flooding and will be out of business for the foreseeable future. HK does not have a contingency plan in place, which the implementation manager failed to create. Here lies an opportunity for HK to have "alternative remedies for possible foreseen events before the risk event occurs and selects the best plan among alternatives." (Gray and Larson, 2005, pp. 218-219) The company risks missing Critical deadlines and HK is expected to be off schedule for about four weeks. HK has faced situations with a lack of resources and lack of focus on projects. A resource...