Your papers should be three pages at a minimum and I am looking for utilization of consistent approaches as well as discussion of reasons why one way is better than another for this scenario. It is essential that you incorporate the views and theories of at least three of our authors into your paper. If you feel facts are missing, plug in your own assumptions and tell me what those assumptions are.

Tom Thumb is an executive vice president of GSM Bank which has recently been acquired by a national bank holding corporation that owns and operates a network of independent banks throughout the country. Although GSM has enjoyed a reputation in its local community for delivery of high touch /low cost banking services, its market share has been steadily eroding especially with the under 50 demographic. Profit margins have similarly been declining. In addition to providing retail banking products and services, GSM has established a firm presence in the local business community based upon the highly visible commitment to community service demonstrated by the officers and employees of GSM. The current low interest rate environment has compressed interest rate margins on GSM’s commercial loan portfolio. Fees being generated on commercial banking products and services are barely keeping pace with the high salaries commanded by seasoned commercial bankers with strong customer followings.

GSM’s new parent organization recognizes that technology is the future of retail banking and that brick and mortar banking centers will soon be obsolete. Similar attitudes prevail with respect to the delivery of commercial lending and banking services.

Unlike most banking organizations today, the GSM officers and employees represent significant years of continuous loyal employment and are very happy and secure in their current positions. Similar statistics describe the GSM customers: long term continuous relationships characterized by above average satisfaction ratings. On the retail banking side, the customer base is aging and the under 50 group are not replacing the aging customers who no longer want or need banking services. Although rumors of change have not yet reached the ears of the customers or employees, both groups are well aware of industry trends and regularly tell Tom and the senior officers how much they appreciate the current operation and environment.

Tom is comfortable with keeping the GSM operation in place following the adage that one should not try to fix what is not broken. New owners are, however, pressing for a restructuring of the bank’s retail and commercial delivery systems using technology to handle customer interactions. In addition to a telephone system which is primarily automated, the bank currently utilizes ATMs and the internet to provide customer access to banking services. The senior citizen retail customers, whose numbers, although once very significant, are currently declining, have very limited technology skills and greatly prefer (demand?) personal attention.

Notwithstanding his satisfaction with the current operations, Tom recognizes a need for change from both the profitability perspective as well as the demands of the new ownership.

Please see the next page for alternative Final Paper projects.

Students have the following options to pursue as alternatives to the Bank Analysis assignment:

a. Pick a failed change management initiative to which you were exposed and analyze how it might have been turned into a success if concepts espoused by Kotter, Shackleton and/or Collins had been applied. Be specific in identifying the “expert’s” concepts you are applying.

b. Propose a change initiative you are interested in introducing or managing and analyze and explain the course concepts from Kotter, Shackleton and/or Collins you would adopt and follow. Again…be specific.

c. Design and build a typical case study for an MBA class studying Leadership and Managing Change in which you “create “ the factual scenario and then perform the analysis of the problem and propose various solutions using the Kotter, Shackleton and/or Collins course concepts