CHAPTER 4
Nearly everyone was sitting around the massive round conference room table when Randy entered. He eased into a chair near the door and briefly greeted two of the other members of his team on either side. The room was buzzing with quiet conversation as Wally Jenkins and Jerry Winthrop entered. Douglas Parnell, who had been made partner only two years ago, was the only person missing, away in New York working up a deal with a prospective client.
Mr. Jenkins was dressed more like a Baltimore banker than an ad man. Short and somewhat portly as he approached his 61st year, his gray stripped suit and circular gold-rimmed glasses invited comparisons with Santa. His neatness in appearance reflected his eye for detail in all things.
Winthrop looked trim and 40-ish, his angular face accented by a slightly graying mustache. He always dressed with flair. The shirt selected for today was made of light blue silk with slightly bloused sleeves. Loose pleated pants held up by white suspenders completed his "GQ" appearance. His rapid rise to partnership resulted in no small part from contacts made during his set-design days in the film industry.
Mr. Jenkins moved behind his chair, and putting his hands on its back prepared to address the group, much like a law professor about to begin class.
"We've called this meeting today to give you the details of a new project, a project that could put JPW's name in the paper many times over the next couple of years and enable us to meet our goal of moving up to number two."
Looks were exchanged around the table. As Mr. Jenkins reached for the light dimmer switch, Jerry moved aside to operate the slide projector.
"Jerry will explain the project. After you see the project essentials, I will explain the team changes we will be making to prepare for what, I believe, is a real creative challenge."
The first slide showed a massive and nearly windowless brick building, maybe 100 years old. Its overall shape was nearly cubical except near the top where it rose in the middle to support four massive black smokestacks. If you looked at just the roof line, the profile of the stacks looked like one of the largest steamships ever built had docked in downtown Baltimore.
Jerry began. "As most of you know, the 'Power Plant' located just east of our Inner Harbor, was renovated nearly eight years ago into an indoor amusement park called, "Six Flags". After that failed, the place was totally reconfigured. A disco and bar featuring laser lights was created on the first floor, and various other types of amusement centers and activities, including several bars, were located through three levels of the rest of the building. A financial flop, the building closed after being open less than a year, and the building has sat idle since."
Turning from the slide, he addressed the group directly. "For several months, Wally and I have been meeting with the Mayor and members of the city council in anticipation of an opportunity to work on a contract to design a new use for the power plant.
The money has now become available, and we are going to be part of a funded competition with two other firms to come up with the best use."
"All right!" someone said enthusiastically from the back of the room.
"Now here are the contract details." He triggered the slide advance and began to give the details. The first slide read:
POWER PLANT USE COMPETITION
CONTRACT LENGTH - TWO MONTHS
MINIMUM AWARD - $20,000
The next slide read:
AMOUNT OF POSSIBLE FOLLOW-ON CONTRACT TO WINNER
AT LEAST $250,000
PROPOSAL DEADLINE: Aug 1, 1994
"As you can see, if we can develop the best concept and the city likes it, we would have the opportunity to coordinate the details, putting us in the role of lead project consultant. This in turn, as the Power Plant property is developed, would give us the inside track on doing the promotional work as well."
Then he proceeded to show a series of slides that began with a map of the downtown area with major tourist attractions highlighted. "You can see that the building is right between the National Aquarium and the main Harborplace shopping and eating area. Note that just north of the area is where the former Fish Market complex is located.” That building had been mega-bar and dance entertainment complex, opened with lots of publicity, only to close after its first year of operation."
Jerry switched to a slide of a city-block long building with large expanses of glass on one side and the restored classic archway entrance into what once was a teaming city market supporting the region's seafood industry. "We'll need to review what happened there too. Any questions?"
Sharon was the first to speak. "Mr. Jenkins, are there any special clues about what they are looking for in the request for proposal?"
"Some, Sharon, but they primarily address the tourist flow and financial information for the Inner Harbor and some of the specific attractions, such as the National Aquarium. They've really left it wide open on how to use the place. Quite frankly, others have tried to come with a good use, but nothing so far has clicked. Anyone else?"
Some were obviously already thinking about the challenge, while the rest wondered if they were going to be participating on the project.
Mr. Jenkins moved over to a flip-chart stand as Jerry took his seat. Raising the first page, he uncovered an organizational chart showing the three teams and the projects that each would be working on.
"We are going to set up a special project team for this effort," he said. Each of the current teams will be affected." As the next page is turned, the new scheme was revealed.
"The current projects being worked by all three teams will be continued by the team members currently working on them. Sharon will act as customer interface and act as general coordinator on those projects."
"Randy and Ron will co-lead the management of the Power Plant project, which in effect will be a self-directed team. We need to have a good mix of creative ideas and practical analysis on this. Because of all of the architectural considerations, Kristy will be included. Ellen will handle any technical support functions required, including the main responsibility for the project proposal and documentation."
A hand rose from across the large table. "Walt?"
"Sir, since we may have a new supervisor, how are our performance ratings going to be done?"
"Fair question, Walt. I was going to get to that. From now on, being a team leader will be more like being a coach, a facilitator. Your individual work will be evaluated by Jerry and Doug. You can think of the new arrangement as removing one layer of management. We've never been that formal around here, and we must organize our staff to meet whatever challenging projects that we can pursue. One month you may be working with one group of people; the next you may be doing something on your own or with one of us. Salary reviews will continue to be done twice a year and we are working on a new bonus plan that will reward teamwork as well as outstanding individual efforts."
Moving toward a stack of papers, he continued, "OK, that's it. The new team should pick up copies of the project folders on the way out. And the rest of you, if you come up with any ideas that Randy or Ron need to hear, get them put into the central idea file. I'll be reviewing any new entries every morning."
On the way out, he turned to Randy and warmly wished him good luck. As the others left, there was animated conversation about the new project and the reorganization blockbuster. As Randy and Mr. Jenkins talked, Sharon eased on by the two men in silence.
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