A Consultant's Dream or Nightmare?

Abstract

This decision case focuses on Lee McBride who is embarking upon his first organizational consulting project as a part of his senior honors thesis.  His potential client is Whispering Pines, a not-for-profit retirement home established in 1927.  Located in a town in the Midwest, Whispering Pines never made the transition to a modern nursing home model and now faces occupancy, management, and board problems.  In recent years, the board has dwindled to 4 members, none of whom have business management experience.  One of the board members, unable to quantify his suspicion that the organization is in a serious downward spiral, is interested in engaging Lee to complete a preliminary organizational assessment.  Lee quickly identifies a wide range of issues and, is asked to prepare a report outlining the actions that would be necessary for the organization to become viable and self-sustaining.