Question

ROBIN HOOD

It was in the spring of the second year of his insurrection against the High Sheriff of Nottingham that Robin Hood took a walk in Sherwood Forest. As he walked, he pondered the progress of the campaign, the disposition of his forces, the Sheriff’s recent moves, and the options that confronted him.

The revolt against the Sheriff had begun as a personal crusade, erupting out of Robin’s conflict with the Sheriff and his administration. However, alone, Robin Hood could do little. He therefore sought allies; men with legitimate grievances and a strong sense of justice. Later, he welcomed all who came, asking few questions and demanding only a willingness to serve. Strength, he believed, lay in numbers.

He spent the first year forging the group into a disciplined band, united in their hatred against the Sheriff, and willing to live outside the law. The band’s organization was simple. Robin ruled supreme, making all of the important decisions. He delegated specific tasks to his trusted lieutenants. Will Scarlett was in charge of intelligence and scouting. His main job was to shadow the Sheriff and his men, always alert to their next move. He also collected information on the travel plans of rich merchants and tax collectors. Little John kept discipline among the men and saw to it that their skills in archery were at the high peak that their profession demanded. Scarlock took care of finances, converting loot to cash, paying shares of the take, and finding a suitable hiding place for the surplus. Finally, Munch the Miller’s son had the difficult task of provisioning the ever-increasing band of Merrymen.

The increasing size of the band was both a source of satisfaction and concern for Robin. The fame of his Merrymen was spreading, and the new recruits were pouring in from every corner of England. As the band grew larger, their small bivouac became a major encampment. Between raids the men milled about, talking and playing games. Vigilance was in decline, and discipline was getting harder to enforce. “Why,” Robin reflected, “I don’t even know half the men I run into these days.”

The growing band was also beginning to exceed the food capacity of the forest. Game was getting scarce, and supplies had to be obtained from outlying villages. The cost of buying food was beginning to exceed the band’s financial reserves at the very time moment that revenues were in decline. Traveler’s, especially those with the most to lose were now giving Sherwood Forest a wide berth. This was costly and inconvenient to them, but it was preferable to having all of their goods confiscated. Robin believed that the time had come for the Merrymen to change their policy of outright confiscation of goods to one of a fixed transit fee. His lieutenants strongly resisted the idea. They were proud of the Merrymen’s famous motto: “Rob from the rich to give to the poor.” “The farmers and the townspeople,” they argued “are our most important allies.” “How can we tax them and still hope for their help in our fight against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham?”

Robin wondered how long the Merrymen could keep the ways and methods of their early days. The Sheriff was growing stronger and becoming better organized. He now had the money and the men and was beginning to harass the band, probing for weaknesses. The tide of events was beginning to turn against the Merrymen. Robin felt that the campaign must be decisively concluded before the Sheriff had a chance to deliver a mortal blow. “But how,” we wondered, “could this be done?”

Robin had entertained the possibility of killing the Sheriff, but the chances for this seemed increasingly remote. Besides, killing the Sheriff might satisfy his personal thirst for revenge, but would not improve the situation. Robin had hoped that the perpetual state of unrest, and the Sheriff’s failure to collect taxes, would lead to his removal from office. Instead, the Sheriff used his political connections to obtain reinforcements. He had powerful friends at court and was well regarded by the regent, Prince John.

Prince John was vicious and volatile. He was consumed by his unpopularity among the people, who wanted the imprisoned King Richard back. He also lived in constant fear of the barons, who had first given him the regency but were now beginning to dispute his claims to the throne. Several of the barons had set out to collect the ransom that would release Richard the Lionhearted from his jail in Austria. Robin was invited to join the conspiracy in return for future amnesty. It was a dangerous proposition. Provincial banditry was one thing; court intrigue quite something else. Prince John had spies everywhere, and he was known for his vindictiveness. If the conspirator’s plan failed, the pursuit would be relentless and retributions swift.

The sound of the supper horn startled Robin from his thoughts. There was the sweet smell of Bambi Bourguignon in the air. Nothing was resolved or settled. Robin headed for camp promising himself he would give these matters his utmost attention after tomorrow’s raid.

Will continue Robin Hood case discussion in class. Think of following discussion questions:

- What is the purpose of strategy? (in general terms)

- What strategic problems does Robin Hood have?

- What is the role of the organizational leader as strategist and articulator of global goals?

- What are some issues in this organization's external environment?

- How do stakeholder values or culture influence strategy making?

- What strategy can Robin Hood implement?

Answer 1

ANS 1)The purpose of strategy of Robin hood and his Merrymen were in the business to steal from the rich and give it to the needy or poor. The organisation which was started by Robinhood that had grown to large extent with lot of new recruits. Robinhood served as the head of operating & had delegated few of the duties to his subordinates.

ANS 2)There were several key issue problemsthat Robin Hood had faced. The 1st problem was the growing size of the Merrymen. Resources are becoming scarce to sustain the large size of the band. He is also had problems of discipline within in the band. Another issue wasthat travelers started to avoid the forest for fear of being robbed, which in turn has caused a decline in the Merrymen’s revenue stream. The last issue Robin Hood faces is the increasing power of the sheriff. Even while Robin Hood & his Merrymen have undermined the sheriff for the last year he has gotten stronger and more organized.

ANS 3)     Robin Hood was the head of the operation &as such a organizational leader who is burdened with the tasks of strategizing as well as articulating the goals of the set strategy. As such, Robin should set goals, figure out who his stakeholders of his operation . and then communicate the mission and actions needed to achieve the set .

ANS4) The most influential external factors that had changed were the fact that travelers, especially the ones with a lot to lose, have decided to avoid the forest when traveling. Also, the growing numbers of the Merrymen have depleted the natural resources in the forest & it is getting hard to find provisions to sustain the group. In addition to this, the Sheriff has become more organized and has learned Robin’s strategy and it is only a matter of time before he strikes against them.

ANS 5)

During strategic analysis" the leader always does a advance work to anticipate unforeseen environmental developments, identify unanticipated resource constraints, assess changes in his preferences for how to manage. During strategy formation, depending on the type of organization structure. The leaders include key individuals in a discussion around selecting which strategies might be best to implement at which level within the organization. In strategy implementation The leader must ensure proper strategic controls & organizational design , establish effective means to coordinate & integrate activities within the firm as well as with suppliers,customers & alliance partners.Thus leaders must pay attention to all stakeholder needs,including the groups values & the organizational culture. The organizational culture is based on founding values that embraced a missionary outreach to the community. The original purpose creates unity & a spirit of daring among the merry men. Robin considered abandoning the higher segment of his market for a deeper exploitation of a very large segment of limited resources, against organizational traditions & values. Robin pursues profit margins by robbing all traveler & now including the poor group will group members will resist stealing from their brothers and fathers. Robin needs to restore the group members, need for order and purpose. The Merry men needed to feel that their participation is quasi-voluntary.

ANS 6) Robin hood must asses how functunal areas & activities , fit togeather to achive the goals & objectives.of the organization. Robin hood Extentension of a personal grudge" then displacing the Sheriff should be the primary mission of the Merrymen. organization was acting on behalf of the district then replacing the Sheriff ,with a more benign administration should be the priority. Merry men existence is an expression of widespread dissatisfaction with the present" political order" then Robin should consider his potential contributions on a national scale.