1 What positive and negative managerial characteristics does Jamie possess? Jamie Westbrook takes pride in her position as salon manager for SharpStyle Salon, one of a chain of hairdressing salons under the Gold Group umbrella. She oversees a staff of 15 including hairdressers, a nail technician, receptionists and hairdressing apprentices. Jamie enjoys a reputation as a manager who works very hard and takes care of her people.

Hairdressers want to work for her.

Following the salon’s new-hire policy, Jamie began as a hairdressing apprentice and quickly became a top hairdresser in the company through a combination of skill, a large and loyal client base and long hours at work. In 2013, retiring manager Carla Weems hand-picked Jamie as her successor, and the board quickly approved.

Initially, the salon, located in a suburban shopping centre, managed a strong, steady increase, holding its position as one of the company’s top performers. But an economic crisis hit the area hard, with increases in unemployment and mortgage woes among current and potential customers. As families sought ways to save, the luxury of regular visits to the hair salon was among the first logical budget cuts. The past year has reflected this economic reality, and Jamie’s salon saw a sharp decrease in profits.

Jamie’s stomach is in knots as she arrives at the salon on Monday.

Scheduled to fly interstate the next morning for a meeting at head office, she fears potential staffing cuts, but more important, she fears the loss of opportunity to secure her dream job, replacing the retiring manager at Riverwood Shopping Centre, the top-performing salon located in an upscale area of the city.