Despite a Good Balance Sheet and Stock Performance in Recent

Multiple Choice

Despite a good balance sheet and stock performance in recent quarters, the top management of Ackerman Consumer Products can see trouble on the horizon. From its beginnings as a family business manufacturing specific household items, it has grown to an industry giant with a line that includes several hundred tools. This growth has allowed it to acquire three other former rivals, all of which were victims of their own inability to change with the times. Along the way, Ackerman has maintained the same principles, particularly in terms of valuing the contributions of its employees and cultivating a strong workforce. Nevertheless, earnings are off. Which of the following did Ackerman's leadership most likely fail to do during the course of the organization's growth over the past few years?

A) design a cohesive workflow program that allows employees to manufacture, ship, and complete the necessary paperwork in an efficient manner
B) broaden its acquisition strategy to include business in industries unrelated to tool and household item manufacturing
C) work on communication and conflict resolution with its employees through the use of seminars and team bonding events
D) develop enough alliances with other companies to ensure that Ackerman has sufficient access to the materials it needs to manufacture its tools
E) attract and reward enough good people in every level of the organization, from line worker up through executive management