Ralph works in the claims department of a large insurance agency head-quartered in Chicago. Property claim supervisors from the five-regional quartered in Chicago. Property claim supervisors from the five-regional quartered in Chicago. Property claim supervisors from the offices meet monthly to review processing procedures and claim summa offices meet monthly to review processing procedures and claim summaries. Emma Grace, Ralph's manager, tells him that these meetings are important; however, she is concerned about costs. She mentions switching to quarterly meetings but then retracts the statement because she thinks that the claims supervisors need to meet monthly. Determined to come up with a less costly option, Ralph returns to his desk and gets to work. He knows that travel costs represent the biggest expense for the monthly meetings. He researches teleconferencing and finds that the technology is afford-He researches teleconferencing and finds that the technology is afford-He researches teleconferencing and affordable. Ralph likes the conference call option and discovers several software programs that are affordable and enable teams to easily capture, distribute, and collaboratively manage meeting information and action items online in real time. Ralph selects the software package that offers the best features at a reasonable cost. From accounting, he gets the cost figure features at a reasonable cost. From accounting, he gets the cost figures features at a reasonable cost. From accounting, he gets the cost figure the monthly meetings. He compares those figures with the cost of the for the monthly meetings. He compares those figures with the cost of the software and the conference call service. He finds that the travel saving alone would pay for the software. Ralph presents his research to Emma Grace, along with a recommendation to consider teleconferencing as a cost- effective alternative to face-to-face meetings.

1. How did Ralph exhibit resourcefulness?

2. Why is it important to be able to "think outside the box"?

3. Do you think Emma Grace was pleased with Ralph's efforts?