61. A director of Beta Company suggests that Beta can improve its competitive
position by hiring a significant number of former Alpha Company employees who have
recently retired or been laid off. The directors reasoning is that because Alpha
manufactures some products similar to Betas, former Alpha employees would be
experienced and need little training, could provide valuable information about Alphas
successful methods, and would be particularly motivated to compete against Alpha. The
directors argument is problematic in several respects.
First of all, the argument presupposes that Alphas methods are successful. This is
not necessarily the case. To the contrary, the fact that Alpha has laid off 15 percent of its
employees in every division and at every level suggests that Alphas methods may have
been unsuccessful and that downsizing was necessary for the company to minimize
financial losses.
Secondly, the director assumes that the former Alpha employees hired by Beta
will be well-trained and valuable. During a typical lay-off, however, the best and most
experienced employees are typically the last to be laid off. By following the directors
advice, Beta would probably be hiring Alphas least efficient and least experienced
employees―that is, those who would be least valuable to Beta.
Thirdly, the author assumes that Alpha and Beta are sufficiently similar so that
former Alpha employees could provide special value for Beta. However, we are
informed only that Beta manufactures some products similar to Alphas. It is possible
that former Alpha employees have experience with only a small segment of Betas
product line, and thus have little inside information of any value to Beta.
Finally, the claim that former Alpha employees would be motivated to compete
against Alpha is partially unwarranted. While many of those who were laid off may be
so motivated, those who retired early from Alpha probably departed on good terms with
Alpha, and would in any event be unmotivated to reenter the work force.
In conclusion, the argument fails to provide key facts needed to assess it. To better
evaluate the directors suggestion, we would need more information about why Alpha
reduced its work force, what type of workers left Alpha and under what circumstances,
and how similar Alphas range of products is to Betas.
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修2 Unit3《 Computers》
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修3 Unit1《 Festivals around the world》
2017届黑龙江省大庆市高三英语一轮阅读理解训练(3)及答案
2017届黑龙江省大庆市高三英语一轮阅读理解训练(2)及答案
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:选修6 Unit4《 Global warming》
2017届黑龙江省五常市高三英语一轮阅读理解训练(3)
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修1 Unit1《 Friendship》
2017届黑龙江省五常市高三英语一轮阅读理解训练(1)
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修1 Unit5《 Nelson Mandela — a modern hero》
2017届河北省平山县高三英语一轮训练(5)及答案
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修1 Unit3《 Travel journal》
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修2 Unit5《 Music》
2017届河北省平山县高三英语一轮训练(1)及答案
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:选修7 Unit5《 Travelling abroad》
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修5 Unit5《 First aid》
2017届黑龙江省五常市高三英语一轮阅读理解训练(2)
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修2 Unit4《 Wildlife protection》
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:选修6 Unit2《 Poems》
2017届黑龙江省大庆市高三英语一轮阅读理解训练(5)及答案
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:选修7 Unit3《 Under the sea》
2017届黑龙江省大庆市高三英语一轮阅读理解训练(4)及答案
2017届高三英语一轮基础阅读理解训练(2)及答案
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:选修6 Unit3《 A healthy life》
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:选修6 Unit1《 Art》
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修3 Unit3《 The Million Pound Bank Note》
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:选修8 Unit5《 Meeting your ancestors》
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:必修2 Unit2《 The Olympic Games》
2017届高三英语一轮跟踪训练:必修2 Unit2 The Olympic Games
2017届高三英语一轮单元检测:选修7 Unit2《 Robots》
2017届黑龙江省五常市高三英语一轮阅读理解训练(5)
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