Cam Archer Social Power

In the case study of Retail Max Inc, a sales woman named Cam Archer finds herself in a career dilemma in which she finds herself exhausted from the travel her job has been demanding. She finds herself at the point in which she needs to decide a move more appropriate for her career. ( McGinn & Witter,2006) Regan Kessel, is the vice president of Product Management and marketing of Retail Max Inc. has offered a position to Cam Archer into his department of Product Management on a sudden last minute change the vice president of sales goes to him and asks to send Archer the profit maker of the company on a stretch assignment making a delay on Archer's promotion to her new role. This Delays Archers start date in Kassel department for several months ( McGinn & Witter,2006) Kassel's agrees and gives Archer time to complete the stretch assignment. As times goes by Kassels faces competition when it comes down to have Archer come work in his department.

Kassel made a compensation package in which Archer would receive 10% more than her current salary which is currently approximately $100,000 even though after commission and bonuses Archer would be making a lot more. Meanwhile during her stretch assignment Kessel has learned that this new department also wants to extend Archer in offer in order for her to stay within that department. Vince Marini vice president of the professional services department, hears about Archers desires to change career paths and plans to offer Archer a position in which he would approximately make $135,000 to $145,00 on top off that an additional amount would be given performance bonuses (McGinn & Witter, 2006) However Marinas offer involves travel, as we read the business case we find out that Archer in no longer wanting to do that. When Kessel finds out about the situation that has developed he faces trouble he has been given a budget of $200,000 dollars and the company has a strict policy regarding equal compensation among employees. Kessel is concerned and worried that if he offers a higher salary to Archer other employees among the department, may become resentful and upset. Kessel wants to leave the extra money in his budget to offer possible promotions and compensation to other employees in the department.

During Archer stretch assignment she was able to make profits for the company totaling and amount of $700,000. Archer no longer was able to collect a commission percentage out of this amount due to the fact she was no longer in sales position. Archers sales position has been filled but the reader can conclude that she holds the greatest potential power in this situation due to the fact that her referent power due to her reputation of being able to gain great profits for the company. In fact I believe that if Archer argued to receive commission on the $700,000 managers and company officials would be willing to give her a portion. Over all Archer is the only one who holds the greatest power since is the only one who knows what her true motivations are. Both Mangers Kessel and Marini assume Archer's primary motivation is monetary. But as the reader