Overview

This case is conducted on the basis of a girls five year career. She did not let go any opportunity
without challenge. As a fresh graduate she started her career as an Assistant Manager of a very
renowned company. Along with the success, she was covered by lots of stresses and health
problems in the very early stage of her life. Moreover she had to face negative work culture,
hostile attitude, and political battles from the subordinate and colleagues. But she successfully
managed these obstacles and learned how to act with various political behaviors and also turned
the environment to some extent by improving teamwork. She had a positive perception about the
organization that they are caring about the employees which was actually wrong. In spite of these
barriers she stuck with the organization for five years. At the end of five years, finally she got her
reward- An offer to be a store manager.

Introduction of Natalie :
Natalie was a student of a large state University of Pennsylvania and had a dual major in
marketing and management .She lived in Pennsylvania with her parents. Natalie believed
education, skill & ambition lead to a rewarding career. She believed its better to have career in
management rather than in marketing because in management field she could rise quickly.
Natalie can be described based on the below point of view:

Started the career at Enigma with cheerful mind:

After graduation she was looking for job and facing some interview. Natalie had joined in retail
store because it offers the best opportunity .and in this sector she had chance to apply her dual
majors. Natalie was happy to join in Enigma and her excitement for first job was not allow her
more time to think more even to talk to her parents . She was impressed to see the proactive
development programs and corporate culture.

Scenario had changed and work under stress:

Stress can be defined as harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when there is a
poor match between relationships among coworkers and management and lack of opportunities
or motivation to advancement in ones skill level. Natalies perception about the organization had
changed that Enigma stress on individual capability rather than team work .Again they treated
the employee as human capital. There was no emotional binding with other coworker and
supervisor .The work culture was not positive and she received hostile behavior from her
subordinate .She had no recreation or leisure time ,had to work for 24/7 and all these stuff
compiled to think about leaving the job within six month of joining.
Arising Dilemma regarding career:
Though stress in work but she was successful to improve the work environment of her
department. After five years, Natalie confronted with some rough decision .Dilemma is between
career and personal life.

Q4-Do you agree with Natalies decision to stick it out for a while longer with Enigma
after she had been on the job for a year?
Answer- Yes, I do agree with Natalies decision to stick it out for a while longer with Enigma.
Before making any haste decision, everyone should analyze the threats and opportunities
prevailing in a job in the organization. One years stress or success can never signal true situation
in a position for a job. One requires some time space to explore his potentiality and to set a solid
target. Only because of this, does Natalie choose to stay in Enigma for a while longer in spite of
her suffering from severe migraines, heartburn problems and physicians advice to find less
stressful job. Now this can be inferred that Natalie wanted to take time and to see if she can
overturn the situation prevailing in the organization, say-stress, political gains, employees
hostility and demands for individual performance.

 Should Natalie have been more proactive in considering other employment options at this point
in her career?
Answer- No, I dont think that Natalie should have been more proactive in considering other
employment options in her career. She has just surpassed one year in Enigma. Wouldnt
considering other employment options look like running for penny? There will be no job without
stress and strain, the best individual will be one who can manage and overcome those contrasting
situations. It will be difficult to find a job equivalent to assistant manager in the job market
where her friends back in the college are yet to get a job let alone becoming assistant manager.
As a result, Natalie who has only 3-month training and one year job experience in Enigma will
definitely face stark reality if she looks for other options which may not ensure her another job of
assistant manager.
Moreover, she has to think about her job life along with her family life. Currently this job in
Enigma is providing her flexibility to stay close to her parents and ensuring easy communication
to New York and Philadelphia from Pennsylvania. Moreover as an employee at Enigma
Company, Natalie herself found lots of pros outweigh the cons here. Lets check out what are
thesePros
Nice salary increases
Bonus
Major promotion
Great opportunity just as a fresher
Enlargement of her job experiences.
Cons
Lots of stresses and health problem
Hostile attitude of her subordinate
Negative work culture
It is evident that opportunities are outweighing the threats. So shouldnt she choose to stay a
while more to explore her potential further? Besides, leaving one job and switching to other
cannot guarantee more favorable environment than the previous one.

Q-5 If you were in Natalies shoes after 5 years with Enigma, what career and
life choices would you be prepared to make?
Answer-This is a very tricky question though not as much intricate to answer. There are two
things that have created the thinking line. One is switching to Seattle for becoming a store
manager defying family concerns. And the other one is staying in the present job at Pennsylvania
or starting new house wares store by herself. I am, now an assistant manager, would like to stay
in the present job at Pennsylvania, because I have respects and concerns for my family. I just
cannot make my family suffer for my personal gains. In this regard, I would recommend my
company to promote me to Manager of Pennsylvania Store, if possible. But if not, then I would
be happy with the current position of assistant manager because I am still getting rewards in this
position for my performance- a salary increase, bonus and appreciations. Promotion will not be a
big deal. If I can continue my success in this career, it is certain I will get promotion soon or later
or can move to other company near my locality as the final destination.
Now question may arise-why not moving to Seattle to become store manager?
The first thing I will have to do is to force my family to move to Seattle. Moreover, my wouldbe-husband upon my insistence may be agreed to move with me. But will that forceful transfer
bring in happiness in their face? Apart this, Higher rank demands higher performance with
additional stresses and headaches.
In fine, I am preferring to stay Pennsylvania with whatever position I am ranked. Ones lot may
be changed all on a sudden if a major achievement can be struck.
What are the key factors that you would consider in making your choices?
Although I have indirectly indicated the factors considered for making my choices, I will here
summarize those in a nutshell. I have chosen to stay at Pennsylvania because of my
Family concerns
Would-be husbands reluctance to move
Communication problem with Pennsylvania, New York and Philadelphia
Demand for additional performance level with higher position
Pressure of more stresses and headaches
Improved ties and culture in the current job

 Facilities received in the present rank