Case Application 1-B: TEAM FUN! Kenny and Norton Bell founded TEAM FUN!

, a sporting goods and equipment store and manufacturer, 10 years ago. Kenny and Norton had always been sports enthusiasts. As stellar athletes through high school and college, these twin brothers knew they wanted to open a business that catered to the leisure sporting industry. Shortly after graduating from college, they presented to a bank the business plan they had developed as part of their small-business entrepreneurial course. They were given a loan, and with $15,000 they had saved between them, they started the company. Initially, they were the only two employees. Within the first six months of business, Kenny and Norton added three employees to help deal with a new contract they had just won. By the end of their first year, the company had more than $300,000 in revenues and six employees. Kenny and Norton were pleased with their initial success, but they anticipated more competitors and knew they had to diversify their product lines. As they did, it became apparent that they needed to add a couple of locations to better serve their growing customer base, as well as hire more people to meet customer demand. They now have 125 employees, 3 suburban branches, and annual revenues approaching $10 million. Overlooking their LAGOON, where employees try out new water gear (kayaks, swim fins, wet suits, racing suits, goggles), Norton says to Kenny, Maybe we are getting too old for this. I got the prototype for the new soccer gear, and the labeling looks funny to me. Kenny frowns. Norton continues, Some funny language. Maybe two. Looks like Spanish. Agua is water, right? Kenny slugs Nortons shoulder. Si! Norton says, Maybe French or German for the other. Why would SideKick do that? Weve been doing business for 10 years. Kenny scratches his head. I dunno. Lots of things going on around here that I dont understand. Carlos asked me if we could make a corner of the lunchroom into a babysitting place. Said wed be work/life friendly. Weve always been that, right? They head outside to the GREEN, their golf supply area, and pass a few people who smile and nod. Kenny comments, I dont even know everyone who works here anymore. Edna in personnel asked me about an insurance file claim on Jane Edwards from her optometrist. I dont even know who Jane is or why we have vision insurance. Edna talked about human resources issues. Norton offers, Last week I played racquetball with Keith. Kenny frowns and Norton goes on, Sure, you know Keith. He runs that football recleater operation in Springfield. He was bragging about their strategic new human resources manager. Kenny picks up the new TEAM TigerPutter at the sign, TRY THIS OUT. This golf club is a strategic advantage. What is a strategic human resource?

Questions: 1. Is TEAM FUN! affected by globalization? If so, how?

TEAM FUN is directly affected by globalization in this case. They have been doing business with Sidekick for many years, but by reading the passage, it looks to me that Sidekick has outsourced its production to various parts of the world. Thus creating some problems for their line of products. The new soccer gear that Kenny and Norton inventoried was either from soccer clubs around the world or imported equipment that is the popular brand due to the sports global success. Many people who watch soccer are more into the international game. The superstars from the sports probably endorse the equipment that TEAM FUN imported from an international supplier. This reflects globalization which typically grows a business by opening it to world rather than just locally.
2. What other major workforce issues are evident in this case?

There are two easily fixable work related issues that are referenced in this case. The first thing that is mentioned is the request for a childcare facility. This would help the company be a more work/friendly business. The owners do not realize that the growth of the company has brought about new demands from their workforce. The next issue is the lack of knowledge in regards to their employees. This again shows that the owners do not have a grasp on the complexities that come with growth of a company. The two of them can no longer handle to daily operations by themselves. They do not know their employees!
3. Do you believe that TEAM FUN! needs a human resources professional? Explain your answer to Kenny and Norton.

There is a definite need for a human resource department at TEAM FUN. Mr. Kenny and Norton Bell by hiring a HRM professional and implementing a new infrastructure this would resolve the issues that are stated in this case study. Human Resources (HR) would handle all pay and compensation issues, benefits such as health care, staffing and recruiting personnel, records management, and finally the training and development of all staff. An HRM department is the backbone of all major business and corporations and without one TEAM FUN will continually experience employee related issues.