Management Case Study: Rise and Fall

Jagannath (Jaggu to his friends) is an over ambitious young man. For him ends justify means. With a diploma in engineering. Jaggu joined, in 1977, a Bangalore-based company as a Technical Assistant.  He got himself enrolled as a student in an evening college and obtained his degree in engineering in 1982. Recognizing as Engineer-Sales in 1984. Jaggu excelled himself in the new role and became the blue-eyed boy of the management.  Promotions came to him in quick succession.  He was made Manager-Sales in 1986 and Senior Manager-Marketing in 1988. Jaggu did not forget his academic pursuits. After being promoted as Engineer-Sales, he joined an MBA (part-time) programme. After completing MBA, Jaggu became a Ph.D. scholar and obtained his doctoral degree in 1989. Functioning as Senior Manger-Marketing Jaggu eyed on things beyond his jurisdiction. He started complaining against Suresh the Section Head and Prahalad the Unit Chief (both production) with Ravi, the EVP (Executive – Vice President).  The complaints included delay in executing orders, poor quality and customer rejections.  Most of the complaints were concocted. Ravi was convinced and requested Jaggu to head the production section so that things could be straightened up there. Jaggu became the Section head and Suresh was shifted to sales. Jaggu started spreading his wings. He prevailed upon Ravi and got sales and quality under his control, in addition to production. Suresh, an equal in status, was now subordinated to Jaggu. Success had gone to Jaggu’s head. He had everything going in his favour-position, power, money, and qualification. He divided workers and used them as pawns. He ignored Prahalad and established direct link with Ravi. Unable to bear the humiliation, Prahalad quit the company.  Jaggu was promoted as General Manager.  He became a megalomaniac. Things had to end at some point. It happened in Jaggu’s life too. There were complaints against him.  He had inducted his brother – in – law, Ganesh, as an engineer. Ganesh was by nature corrupt. He stole copper worth Rs. 5 lakh and was suspended. Jaggu tried to defend Ganesh but failed in his effort. Corruption charges were also leveled against Jaggu who was reported to have made nearly Rs. 20 lakh for himself. On the new-year day of 1993, Jaggu was reverted back to his old position- sales. Suresh was promoted and was asked to head production. Roles got reversed. Suresh became boss to Jaggu. Unable to swallow the insult, Jaggu put in his papers. 

Back home, Jaggu started his own consultancy claiming himself as an authority in quality management. He poached on his previous company and picked up two best brains in quality. From 1977 to 1993, Jaggu’s career graph had a steep rise and a sudden fall. Whether there would be another hump in the curve is a big question.