Consultant Recommendations at Sanderson Soaps Assignment | Online Homework Help

This is the 3rd milestone for a consultation paper.There is a case study and the paper is being writing as if hired as I/O psychology consultant at Please read the instructions thoroughly. Paper must follow along exactly. Attached it the Case study and the 2 previous Milestones leading up to this paper to use as reference. ONLY peer reviewed scholarly articles can be used
Summary and Description
 
Overview
Sanderson Soaps is a small family owned operation based out of Portland, Maine. Founded by Emily Sanderson and her husband, James, in 1978, Emily severed as chief executive while James served as VP of product development. By combining both Emily’s love for fragrance and her knowledge of the cosmetics industry and James’s degrees in organic chemistry, they two decided to open shop and quickly developed a corporate philosophy, an overarching mission, a couple of different personal care products, and a goal for success. Because of the $3 million in gross sales this past year, Sanderson Soap’s is at the verge of becoming a much larger enterprise with what is considered to be a very loyal customer base and tremendous potential (SNHU, p. 4).
After more than 35 years and much success and growth, Emily was diagnosed with early stages of Parkinson’s disease and is very eager to find a successor to being transitioning the business before her symptoms become worst (SNHU, p. 5). As a result, Emily must find a successor from within the company quickly so that she and James can retire and enjoy life together.
Products, Goods, and Services
Sanderson Soap’s specializes in the production of high-quality soaps, shampoos, and other beauty products, with 24 individual products in six different product lines to over 200 retailers in New England (SNHU, p. 4). The companies signature scents are that of Rose and Lilac which is very appealing for the market as well as various coastal-themed products (SNHU, p. 4). In the past, the company has experienced issues with productivity and could barely fill many of their orders (SNHU, p. 4). During the 35 years of operation, Margaret has developed clients throughout six states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) (SNHU, p. 6).
Customers
The company serves clients in six different states (Manie, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island), including 200 retailers in New England, and has a tremendously loyal client base (SNHU, p. 6). Because Sanderson Soaps has a number of costal-themed products, they are very appealing to both men and women in the New England area. In a recent analysis conducted by Rachel, a Marketing and Sales employee, it was uncovered that 78% of the companies market was female between the ages of 24 and 70 (SNHU, p. 6). Out of the 78%, 65% of these female were between the ages 45 and 65 (SNHU, p. 6). As for demographics, Emily found that 70% of the companies client-base lives in Maine and 20% lives in Vermont which seemed very surprising since most of the products are “coastal themed” (SNHU, p. 6).
Markets
Sanderson Soap’s is primarily involved in the cosmetic industry. The company is known to supply more than 200 retailers in the New England area and targets both men and women (SNHU, p. 4). Emily and her team have wanted to expand their market into a nationwide presence but unfortunately lack the knowledge and resources to do so. Both Emily and James and longed to expand into other markets before moving into have a nationwide presence but claim to unfortunately lack any knowledge as well as resources that are necessary to make a successful expansion (SNHU, p. 4).
Competitors
Sanderson’s Soaps has several different competitors in the cosmetic industry. Because James fails to listen to Sanjay’s advice, one of the biggest competitors of Sanderson Soaps is that of companies who are anti-animal testing and cruelty free.
Organizational Structure
After nearly 32 years of success, the family owned business has seen little changes in operational philosophy or structure, regardless of their steady growth and success. Based on the employees testimonies of John and James, Sanderson Soap’s seems to have a team that exhibits an Authoritarian leadership style. Authoritarian leadership is defined as an individual who has control over all decisions with little to no input from members of a group (Cherry, 2019). This leadership style can also come off as very bossy, and “dictator-like” and can even impair morale which can potentially lead to resentment (Cherry, 2019). The leaders, John, James, Emily, and Margaret, are known to make decisions without hearing for other staff members first. Emily and the other leaders seem to be very pro-family rather than considerate of all employees for feedback regarding different products and promotions. Emily and the leaders are also know for hiring family over those who are not related to them.
While everything about an Authoritarian leadership style seems horrible, according to author Kendra Cherry, there are some good qualities. Cherry states that depending on the situation, sometimes someone who exhibits an Authoritarian style can be very helpful and effective (Cherry, 2019). Those who show an Authoritarian leadership style are also quick to make decisions in stressful situations, and are very good in situations that require someone to be strong and directive (Cherry, 2019).
Employee Diversity
Emily and James currently have 32 employees with their company, 18 of which are family members (SNHU, p. 4). Emily is both the cofounder and chief executive officer, while James serves as both a cofounder and the VP of product development (SNHU, p. 4). Allison, Emily’s niece, is employed as an executive assistant in her office (SNHU, p. 5). Janet, Emily and James’s oldest daughter, works in Product development alongside her father and her sister, Amy, and her brother-in-law, Sanjay (SNHU, p. 5). Margaret, Emily’s sister, is the VP of marketing (SNHU, p. 6). John, Emily and James’s oldest son, serves as the VP of distribution (SNHU, p. 6). Amongst the listed family members that have a very large role in the company, Emily and James have also employed Margaret’s great nephew, Scott, Janet’s twin sons, Ed and Andy, and James’s brother, Dave (SNHU, p. 6).
Productivity Issues
Productivity from the employees seems to be low. Out of the ten employees employed by John in the distribution department, all ten employees reported that John is very difficult to work for (SNHU, p. 6). They were documented saying that John calls the employees slackers which is why he is do hard on them. In return, John’s actions are creating a high turnover in the business.
In the product development and production department, Sanjay and James do not see eye to eye on a lot of things and seem to constantly argue over things such as making their products non-animal tested and Sanjay’s disagreement with some of the research practices that are employed by the new product lab. Thus, making Sanderson Soap’s a very hostile work environment (SNHU, p. 5).
 
Reference
Cherry, K. (2019). Autocratic Leadership: Key Characteristics, Strengths, and Weaknesses of Autocratic Leadership. Very Well Mind. Retrieved on September 10, 2019 from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-autocratic-leadership-2795314
Southern New Hampshire University. Productivity at Sanderson Soaps. Retrieved on August 26, 2019.