The Stark Design company in Baltimore, Maryland designs, manufactures, and sells personalized planner-style calendars. It began as a small family business that operated out of the owner's garage. Early on, the company gained a loyal following of customers that loved the unique designs and color combinations that Stark Design created. Through word of mouth recommendations and social media, the Stark Design company has grown exponentially over the last five years. Popularity of the calendars led Stark Design to increase their product line to include other personalized items such as: picture frames, address books, and cell phone cases featuring the same unique designs of the original personalized planners. In addition, the company has a partnership with a local university to provide exclusive designs featuring the school logo and mascot. As a result, the Stark Design company has grown to 35 employees ranging from Senior Designers to Customer Service Representatives. However, due to the overwhelming popularity of their products, Stark Design struggles to meet consumer demand with their current employment staff.

All previous hiring decisions were made by the President and owner of Stark Design, Michelle Stark, when there was a need for additional employees. Generally, the hiring decisions were made during times when production was falling behind. Employees expressed concerns that they were working overtime and were still unable to fulfill product orders in a timely manner. Production is steady throughout the year, however spikes in orders occur around holidays, the end of the calendar year, and in the fall before students start back to school.

Recent market research, conducted by an outside firm, indicated that customers would also be interested in purchasing personalized mugs, office supplies, and wallets as well as other items that feature the unique designs that the company offers. Currently, all products are ordered and sold through the company website. Michelle Stark has committed to introducing 20 new products to the company website within the next 6 months. Additionally, the top management team is researching the development of a retail store which will showcase the company's products and offer items without personalization. The management team believes this will require a 20-25% expansion of their labor force to ensure estimated production levels.

Stark Design current staffing level

Position	Current	Inflow	Outflow
Jr. Designer	3	1	-
Sr. Designer	2	-	-
Product Manager	3	1	1
Customer Service Rep.	2	-	-
Project Manager	3	-	1
Order Filler	5	1	2
Production Associate	6	1	-

You are part of a management consulting firm that has been hired by Stark Design to create an effective staffing and succession plan. Working collaboratively, you will analyze the information provided to determine the staffing needs for the Stark Design company. Your final deliverable will be a five page staffing plan based on a succession plan. You should also include an analysis of the external workforce and plans to retain and develop quality employees.

The rubric for this assignment is available for your review. During your first group meeting, you may want to use the project tracking tool to set milestones and make assignments for each member of the group. Some of the milestones you set may include a report on the company's environmental analysis including a SWOT analysis, assessment of internal and external workforce, an HR planning forecast, and your plan of action for staffing Stark Design's current and future needs. As you work through the activity, use your project collaboration wiki space to share work, upload project documents, and enter business meeting notes.

Activity Steps

Step 1: To begin, your team will hold a group meeting in person or via online video chat. You will discuss what each member knows about human resource planning including what information may be needed for an environmental analysis. During the meeting, team members can refer to the textbook or do an online search to gather information.

Step 2: Prior to the second group meeting, group members should each conduct research for an environmental analysis including a SWOT analysis. Additionally, group members should compile a list of what positions and how many will be needed for Stark Design's future staffing needs.

Step 3: At the second group meeting, compile information for the environmental analysis and SWOT analysis. Discuss the group members' thoughts on which positions are desired for future labor needs. Select the type and number of positions you will forecast for Stark Design.

Step 4: Prior to third meeting, group members should evaluate the external and internal workforce availability. Each member should conduct a job audit and develop a list of KSAs for the future positions.

Step 5: At third meeting, compile information from each group member regarding the external and internal workforce availability. Agree upon KSAs for future positions. Forecast HR supply and determine where there may be a shortage and/or surplus of employees. Make recommendations based on your findings.

Step 6: Work collaboratively to create the group's final paper. Imagine that your team is going to present this to the President of Stark Design. Begin by explaining the environmental analysis and SWOT analysis findings. Next, provide the team's external and internal workforce assessment which will include the KSAs and succession plan for Stark Design. Present the team's conclusions on the HR planning forecast that will benefit your client. Finally, describe the final plan and any actions that Stark Design will need to take.

Step 7: Use the collaborative workspace to submit the group's final paper to your instructor.