Please note this lesson contains images of violence and extremelanguage.

This exploration of management lessons is intended for a matureaudience only.

For the purposes of this lesson, a copy of Quentin Tarantino’s “PulpFiction” is required.

The focus of this class will surround the character of “The Wolf”.

The content for review takes places from 1hr 50mins, to 2hrs 7mins.

As we watch these scenes, take notes on the character displayed above, “Winston Wolf”.

What management skills does he display?

How are these skills shown? What can we learn from him?

Play the movie starting at 1:50:00 until 2:07:40 Students should take notes.

Pay attention to attributes of management.These can be both positive and negative.

1:51:00: Marvin gets ‘shot in the face’… This is a problemThe task… clean it up, deal with it.

MANAGE THE PROCESS

1:54:43: Bonnie, his wife, gets home in 90 mins.This adds a time pressure element. This a new context to be considered when managing the event. How does this change the situation?

1:55:41: People are key resource. Managing such complex processes and events requires the utilization of your best people and resources. Use your people.

1:56:30 At the mention of ‘The Wolf’, the mood changes. ‘The Wolf’ trades on reputation. His involvement has a calming influence. What kind of power is this? What kind of effect does this have? Is it always positive/negative? Why?

1:56:56: ‘The Wolf’ takes simple but effective notes when advised of the situation. He takes names, and simple descriptors. Why is this important? What does this allow him to do?

1:57:30: ‘The Wolf’ is calm, efficient, and succinct. He has a natural confidence, totally assured of his ability to get the problem solved. What is being displayed by this? How does it impact on the others involved?

1:58:00: What style of management is being used? Is it effective?

1:59:15: We see that in the process of management, ‘The Wolf’ does not do any of the tasks, rather he dictates and organises. He plans, organises and controls. Is this a legitimate style of management?

2:00:30: “If I'm curt with you it's because time is a factor. I think fast, I talk fast and I need you guys to act fast if you wanna get out of this. So, pretty please... with sugar on top. Clean the f**king car.”

DISCUSS THE ABOVE QUOTE

2:06:10: “I'll drive the tainted car. Jules, you ride with me. Vincent, you follow in my Acura. We run across the path of any John Q. Laws, nobody does a f**king thing unless I do it first. What did I just say?”

DISCUSS THE ABOVE QUOTE

2:07:30: How do his ‘staff’ react to him?Has the problem been solved?What skills lead to this resolution?Would you work well for this type of character?What are his best traits?What are his worst traits?

case study author: Jeff Tayloremail: jeff@jefftaylor.iewebsite: www.jefftaylor.ielinkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jeff-taylor/41/993/635contact via email for guest lectures and academic seminars some facts and figures within the case have been altered for illustrative purposes