Question: What would you do now if you were Baker? How might you awaken more enthusiasm in your team for completing this project on time? Suggest specific steps

Whats wrong with the team? Whats wrong with the team?Nichole Davidsons words repeated over and over in Henry Bakers head as he boarded the plane from Los Angeles to Chicago.Baker was responsible for the technical implementation of the new customer relationship management (CRM) software being installed for the sales offices in both cities. The software was badly needed to improve follow-up sales for Bakers company, Pulse Exercise Systems. Pulse Exercise sells exercise equipment to high schools and colleges, as well as to small- to mid-sized businesses for recreation centers, through a national force of 310 salespeople. The companys low prices had won it a lot of sales. However, its follow-up service was uneven, and the new CRM system promised to resolve those problems, with historical data, inquiries, reminders, and updates going to sales reps daily. The CEO of Pulse Exercise had ordered the CRM system installed with all possible haste.Baker pulled a yellow pad and pen from the side pocket of his carry-on bag and tossed them on the seat beside the window, stashed the bag in the overhead compartment, and sat down as other passengers filed past. In an effort to shut out his thoughts, he closed his eyes and concentrated on the muffled voices and low whooshing sound of the air vents. He wrote Whats wrong with the team? three times and began drawing arrows to circles bearing the names of his team members: Barry Livingston and Max Wojohowski in Los Angeles, and Bob Finley, Lynne Johnston, and Sally Phillips in Chicago.He marked through Sallys name. She had jumped ship recently, taking her less-than-stellar but still-much-needed talents with her to another company. It was on a previous LA-to-Chicago flight that Sally had pumped him for feedback on her future with Pulse Exercise. She had informed him that she had another job offer. She admitted it was for less money, but she was feeling under pressure as a member of the team and she wanted more quality of life. Baker told Sally bluntly that her technical expertise, on which he placed top importance, was slightly below that of her peers, so future promotion was less likely despite her impressive people and team skills.He wrote quality of life, circled it, and then crossed it out and wrote What the hell? Why should she get quality of life? he mused. Ive barely seen my wife and kids since this project started. Bakers team was under a great deal of pressure, and he had needed Sally to stick it out. He told her so, but the plane had barely touched down when she went directly to the office and quit, leaving the team shorthanded and too close to deadline to add another body.Whats wrong with the team? Baker furiously scribbled as his thoughts raced:1.The deadline is ridiculously short. Davidson had scheduled a ten-week completion deadline for the new CRM software, including installation and training for both cities.Baker suddenly stopped writing and drew a rider and horse, then returned to his list.2.I feel like some frazzled pony-express rider running back and forth across the country, trying to develop, build, set up, and work the kinks out of a new system that everyone at Pulse Exercise is eager to see NOW.He was interrupted by the flight attendant. Would you care for a drink, sir?Yes. Make it a scotch and water. And be light on the w a t e r.Baker took his drink and continued to write.3.Thank God for LA. From the outset, Barry and Max had worked feverishly while avoiding the whining and complaining that seemed to overwhelm members of the Chicago team. The atmosphere was different. Although the project moved forward, meeting deadlines, there appeared to be less stress. The LA guys focused tirelessly on work, with no families to consider, alternating intense work with joking around. Those are my kind of people, he thought.4.But there is Chicago, he wrote. Earlier in the day, Sam Matheny from sales had e-mailed, and then called, Baker to tell him that the two remaining members of the Chicago team appeared to be alternating between bickering and avoiding each other. Apparently, this had been going on for some time. Whats with that? Baker wondered. And why did Sam know and I didnt?So that morning, before his flight, Baker had to make time to call and text both Finley and Johnston. Finley admitted that he had overreacted to Johnston.Look, man. Im tired and stressed out, Finley said. Weve been working nonstop. My wife is not happy.Just get along until this project is completed, Baker ordered.When will that be? Finley asked before hanging up.Baker thought about Nichole Davidsons persistent complaints to him that the team appeared to have a lack of passion, and she admonished him to get your people to understand the urgency of this project. Her complaints only added to his own stress level. He had long considered himself the front-runner for Davidsons job when she retired in two years. But had his team ruined that opportunity? The sense of urgency could be measured now in the level of stress and the long hours that they had all endured. He admitted his team members were unenthusiastic, but they seemed committed.Baker wondered, Is it too late to turn around and restore the level of teamwork? He tore off the sheet from the pad, crumpled it in his hand, and stared out the window."