PRATAP MEHTA CASE STUDY

Written Analysis & Communication

Instructor:

Dr. Divya Bhatnagar,

Associate Professor

Vasu Tayal

Section C

PGP MBA

Batch: 2022-24

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 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
From,
Mr. Keki Varnishwalla,
Managing Director,
Indian Paints Limited,
Nagpur

18 February, 1974

To,
Mr. Pratap Mehta,
IIM, Ahmedabad (1972-74)

Sub: Response to your queries and concerns.

Dear Mr. Mehta,

I would like to express my appreciation for your efforts and your desire to learn more about the
potential for future growth and expansion of the business. I can appreciate the value of establishing
precise, quantifiable career goals and keeping track of advancement. At IP, we believe in investing
in our workers' goals in addition to providing training and educational opportunities. Understanding
the wider picture of what people want out of life and how our organisation can support their career
development is important to us because we think that when employees are growing personally and
professionally, so does our business.

Regarding IP's long-term objectives and commitments, I want to reassure you that joining our
company won't make you second-guess your choice as we already have plans in place for future IP
expansion for the next two years in addition to the expansion we are planned for the upcoming
quarter. IP plans on going global in this decade and the expansion process is the commencement of
it. Our organisation likes to follow the balanced scorecard method with reference to strategy
planning.

Regarding your further issues, such as leave, travel help, transportation allowance, entertainment
costs, and others, let me make it clear that our organisation adheres to best practises in the sector. If
you so wish, we would be happy to meet you again just so you could meet our divisional heads, but
since you seem curious about them, I will attach a brief introduction of the divisional heads.

We hope to hear from you soon!

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 Regards,
Mr. Varnishwalla
Managing Director, (IP) Ltd.

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 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The situation serves as an illustration of a corporate offer and acceptance that occurred throughout
the hiring process. Mr. Pratap Mehta, who is a member of the graduating class of 1974 from IIM,
Ahmedabad, is the subject of this case. He has received offers for two excellent jobs, and he is
currently unsure which organisation to join in order to advance his career and achieve his long-term
objectives. Indian Paints (IP) Ltd. is one of the two organisations that made Mr. Mehta a job offer.
Although Mr. Mehta was unsure whether to accept or reject the offer, he chose to ask some
questions to the managing director. The managing director now has a choice between embracing
Mr. Mehta's potential within his company or rejecting him.

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 INDEX

Situation Analysis Page 6

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 SITUATION ANALYSIS

Pratap Mehta graduated from IIM Ahmedabad in 1974. He has a first-class bachelor's degree in
chemical engineering and has worked for Hindustan Synthetics as a graduate trainee and a junior
engineer. Two job offers were made to Mr. Mehta, one from Hindustan Synthetics (HS), his old
company, and the other from Indian Paints (IP) Ltd.

Mr. Mehta is struggling to decide between the two offers that are being made to him. These are two
of the better offerings, in his opinion. He has the option of accepting the offer from his former firm
to join the covenanted management cadre or exploring another area inside IP Ltd.

He would receive a higher salary if he chose Hindustan Synthetics, but he would not be able to gain
fresh work experience, and he already has an understanding of the company's corporate culture and
many product lines. In contrast, if Mr. Mehta chose IP Ltd., he would be exposed to a completely
new work environment and experience with a different market space, structure, and different goals
and values to work with. Given all of these considerations, I would advise Mr. Mehta to choose IP
Ltd. because, in my opinion, there is more scope and room for personal and career growth because
he is challenging himself by trying something he has not before.

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 THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

The key issue in this case is that Mr. Varnishwalla has to respond to Mr. Mehta’s questions and that
bring in the question as to what approach should he consider to solve the queries and whether Mr.
Mehta is an asset to the organisation.

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 THE OPTIONS

According to the analysis, Mr. Varnishwalla has a few options to choose from:

1. He can respond positively, i.e. in favour of Mr. Pratap by hiring him and accepting his demands.

2. He may bargain with Mr. Mehta on certain factors and issues.

3. Refuse the requests and withdraw Mr. Mehta's offer.

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 CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

The following criteria can be used to evaluate the available options with Mr. Varnishwalla:

1. Educational background

2. Relevant work experience

3. Communication skills

4. Attitude and motivation

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 EVALUATION OF OPTIONS

Evaluation of Mr. Varnishwalla’s available options:

1. He can respond positively, i.e. in favour of Mr. Pratap by hiring him and accepting his demands
considering the fact that, after receiving a different employment offer, he still showed keen
interest in the company and because of his aptitude, as he was chosen out of so many applicants
and ultimately was one of the three students who received a job offer. His desire to ask and
enquire shows a behaviour of professionalism and clarity seeking tendencies which is a good
indication of character.

2. He may bargain with Mr. Mehta on certain factors and issues since Mr. Mehta has potential to
be an asset to their organisation as his educational background and work experience reflect
that he has potential because he has a first-class bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from
an elite engineering institution and is also an alumni of IIM, Ahmedabad and also his
dedication.

3. Refuse the requests and withdraw Mr. Mehta's offer on the grounds that when Mr. Mehta first
encountered Mr. Varnishwalla in Nagpur, he had the chance to get to know him and could easily
ask him any questions, but he was unable to do so. By his actions, Mr. Mehta appears to have
been reluctant to speak to people one-on-one (which shows lack of or poor communication),
and Mr. Varnishwalla would undoubtedly disapprove of such attitude and lack of motivation
that could damage the organization’s reputation.

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 THE RECOMMENDATION

The best course of action from the available options for Mr. Varnishwalla is to hire Mr. Mehta as he
has the requisite skillset and dedication to prove himself to be worthy as an asset to the
organisation.

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 ACTION PLAN

If Mr. Vanishwalla chooses Mr. Mehta, he must attend to a few details:

- Mr. Vanishwalla must take care of what information he will be sharing and he has to be
diplomatic about the same as he is familiar with Mr. Mehta's future plans for IP.

- They must take care of the tasks and responsibilities that they have provided to Mr. Mehta once
he is hired.

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 CONTINGENCY PLAN

Because IP is a young firm and Mr. Mehta's experience will undoubtedly aid IP in developing as a
company in the paint industry, IP should hire him. Mr. Pratap can meet with the human resources
department of the business to discuss the employment offer made by Mr. Varnishwalla. The
organisation may choose another candidate they chose in the initial round of interviews if Mr.
Mehta rejects the offer and refuses to engage in any negotiations.

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