Facts:

Assume that you are the division controller for Auntie M's Cookie Company. Auntie M has introduced a new chocolate chip cookie called Full of Chips, and it is a success. As a result, the product manager responsible for the launch of this new cookie was promoted to division vice president and became your boss. A new product manager, Bishop, has been brought in to replace the promoted manager. Bishop notices that the Full of Chips cookie uses a great deal of chips, which increases the cost of the cookie. As a result, Bishop has ordered that the amount of chips used in the cookies be reduced by 10%. The manager believes that a 10% reduction in chips will not adversely affect sales but will reduce costs and, hence, improve margins. The increased margins would help Bishop meet profit targets for the period.

You are looking over some cost of production reports segmented by cookie line. You notice that there is a drop in the materials costs for Full of Chips. On further investigation, you discover why the chip costs have declined (fewer chips). Both you and Bishop report to the division vice president, who was the original product manager for Full of Chips. You are trying to decide what to do, if anything.

Discussion Topics:

1. List the options available to "you" as the division controller. Each group member should submit a list of all reasonable options, even if another group member has already listed a similar option.
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
3. Try to come to a group consensus about the best option and then explain why that option is the best. If the group cannot decide on a single best option, then prepare a majority opinion and a minority opinion about the best option.