TEACHING MASTER 10.1-B
ROLES FOR PRESIDENT AN ECONOMIST
Scenario on Sweet Some-Mores, Inc.
General Role of the Board Members (class members)
You have just been nominated to the Board of Directors of Sweet Some-
Mores, Inc., and have been called to your first meeting. The company has
been in business making delicious cakes and cookies for approximately 25
years. Earnings are passable, but the company is certainly not growing and
expanding or obtaining excessive profits. The president of the company,
who has held the position for approximately one year, has told you a
discussion and vote will be held on whether to buy the Unsifted Flour Mill
on Buckwheat Road, which has recently been put on the market.
PRESIDENT
Appearance: Wear office appropriate attire with jacket, if possible.
Attitude: Have a bold, self-assured presence. Role play the part of a bully,
pompous, bragging-type, back-slapping, pushy, “I am the boss,” and
“Know who I am” person. You’ve just inherited this family-owned business
and have some experience running the place. Remain smiling and friendly
to all.
Conversation: Remind the Economist you are the boss!
ECONOMIST
Appearance: Wear office appropriate attire, without a jacket, no dressy
shirt, or fancy watch.
Attitude: Have a mild, meek presence. Appear calm, but job-confident and
well-educated in your field. You know your stuff and can hold your ground,
but realize you aren’t the president and have to get things done by other
means sometimes. You have practiced these skills and use them well.
Communication: Remind the president that you have run the numbers on
the company and there is NO advantage to buying this acquisition — you
cannot support it. Solicit board members’ support – on the sly and sneaky-
style. Remind board members that you are the legitimate economist and
have done the financial analysis on this acquisition and that it is not a good
move. You may want to remind the board members that the president has
only been with the company one year and after all you have been there for
25 years, since the company first began and really understand what’s best
for the business. The economist is encouraged to enhance this role with
further creativity and adaptive behavior to advance the enjoyment of the
role play.
The President and the Economist should spend a few minutes fully
developing their roles and discussing their planned approach to the
activity. Allow any time necessary for classroom set up as needed. Set the
stage for the scenario and begin the role-play exercise. Remind the other
class members that they will now join the exercise as the company’s board
members and may be a part of the interaction. The class should be
encouraged to openly discuss the possibilities of this company’s
acquisition.
After the scene is played out, class members, as a group, should respond
to the questions asked by the Instructor from the Supplementary Exercise
in the Teacher Manual and give opinions based on this role-play.