MBA 699 Employee Personas
The first step in putting together the kind of team that can direct a change effort is to find the right members. Characteristics of effective guiding coalition members are:
• A combination of management and leadership skills to develop both plans and vision • Position power • Expertise (discipline, work experience, decision-making ability) • Credibility (good reputation with the firm, in the industry, or both)
The VP of the life sciences organization you are working for has identified the following employees who might be suitable for inclusion in the guiding coalition:
Name Job Role Characterization Past Experience With M&A
Span of Control
Time at the
Organizati on (Years)
Job Satisfactio
n (1=low, 4=high)
Years Since Last
Promoti on
Juanita Business Developmen t Manager (your counterpart)
Extremely intelligent, motivated, and productive, she has been struggling lately with managing her time and commitments since returning from maternity leave.
Juanita has never been involved in a merger or an acquisition, but she worked at a firm during its complete reorganization .
Individual contributor (niece of one of the firm’s owners)
2 2
n/a
Stan Human Resources Manager
Often characterized as “a complacent member of human resources,” Stan is usually the point of contact who is assigned to company-wide committees.
Formerly involved in a workforce deployment change initiative, he has familiarity with what works (and doesn’t work) in a guiding coalition.
Individual contributor
8 1 7
Name Job Role Characterization Past Experience With M&A
Span of Control
Time at the
Organizati on (Years)
Job Satisfactio
n (1=low, 4=high)
Years Since Last
Promoti on
Omar Manufacturi ng Director
Highly successful director, responsible for opening up the company’s supply chain in the Middle East. Although he sometimes “rubs people the wrong way,” he has proven effective.
Omar came to the firm through an acquisition and has been pleased with how the integration has gone so far.
Manages 12 manufacturin g plants comprising 580 hourly workers
3 4 n/a
John Research Director
John is responsible for the scientific research behind the company’s flagship oncology drug, and “doesn’t stop until the job is done.”
A member of the firm’s founding team, he has seen more mergers fail than succeed.
Oversees the company’s research labs in three countries, including more than 100 scientists
22 4 15
Leslie Sales Rep During her tenure with the firm, Leslie has consistently met her sales targets, exceeding her quotas every quarter. She has been told that she could “sell ice cubes to Eskimos.”
Leslie has been through more change in her career than most sales reps.
Individual contributor
14 2 8
Elaine Acting Director
Although she has a reputation for being difficult to work with, Elaine is known for appreciating complementary strengths in others and is often called “a true visionary.”
Elaine is a strong leader when it comes to adapting to changing situations.
Manages 18 senior managers (direct reports)
10 3 2
Name Job Role Characterization Past Experience With M&A
Span of Control
Time at the
Organizati on (Years)
Job Satisfactio
n (1=low, 4=high)
Years Since Last
Promoti on
Chris Sales Executive
Known for “micromanaging,” Chris has a realistic sense of his weaknesses and limitations.
Chris led the integration of two prior acquisitions while at another company.
Oversees more than 150 sales reps around the world
10 2 4
