The Vernon Road Bleaching and Dyeing Company is a British lace dyeing business. It was purchased in bankruptcy by the father/son team of Henry and Richard Chaplin. Richard has been acting as "Managing Director" which is the same as a general manager or president of a company.

The company has had 50-to-150 employees with 35-to-100 being shop floor, production employees. The company produces and sells various dyed fabrics to the garment industry.

Gerry Robinson is a consultant who was asked to help transform methods of conducting business to save the company.

Jeff is the factory manager.

1. What are Richard's strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
2. What could Richard have done to make the problems of quality and unhappy customers more visible to the workforce?
3. What do you think Richard's top three priorities should be for the next 12 months?
4. What could Richard have done to motivate the workforce?
5. Evaluate Jeff's approach and effectiveness as a leader.