The Jim Cantonelli Case
For some time, southern Californian Utilities director of finance bob baker had been looking for a competent individual to take over section two, employee disbursements. Unfortunately, ken carpenter, who headed up section two for the three years, was leaving to take over a family business in the Midwest, baker had thought about Marty martin, who had been one of ken’s assistants for two years. However, baker wondered about martin, in as much as the latter was attending an MBA program night, trying to pay for a Porsche, and leading a very active life.
Baker also talked to Jim Cantonelli, about whom he had always received very favorable reports, Cantonelli had been in section one (accounts payable) for three years, and had done a good job programming many routine functions on the computer. Although baker and Jim had a favorable initial chat, Jim seemed reluctant to pursue the discussion.
Before 1985, Jim worked for an aerospace firm, and before that, an electronics corporation. He had completed an engineer/computer education in Europe to what would equal our junior-college level. However, he could not continue because he was called up for army service. Jim has proven to be one of the hardest working and most conscientious employees in the finance division of southern California utilities. He has never complained about assignments, has frequently stayed after hours and worked Saturdays on his own. No job seems too difficult for him. He has completed not only regular tasks, but also extra one willingly. And there were dozens of extra ones in 1993 when the new IBM equipment was installed.
Jim’s relationship with other company employees is minimal. He rarely participates in employee affairs and doesn't trade chitchat to any great degree with other workers. Nevertheless, he seems respected, if not well liked, by his associates.
When Jim was approached about becoming the chief of section two, he was reluctant. He noted his slight foreign accent, his lack of formal education in this country. And the trouble he has in writing up his weekly reports. But when baker painted out, in three discussions, the extra compensation he would receive, his new job title, his experience in computers, the seniority lever he was in, and the confidence baker and other officers had in him, he still had some misgivings, but Baker overrode不顾 them.
During the first two months of section two’s operation s under Jim, all seemed go to quite well, although baker understood that Jim had two or three rather sever arguments with Marty martin baker also suggested to him that it was not necessary for him to stay late so many nights, that if he would just let his subordinates take over on the assignments, they would probably fulfill them to his satisfaction, it was true that payroll activities worked in a very cyclical way, but no one should work until mid-night night after night.
Last month Marty martin left his position. He told baker it was for a better job in industry. However, others have indicated that he left because of utter frustration in never being permitted by Jim to handle a complete assignment or to take over full responsibility for a major project. when baker questioned Jim about this, he said ‘that guy has school and women on his mind, besides, he’s about as slow and lazy as every other worker in this unit”. Of course, he backed up after a few minutes, probably because baker appeared so surprised by his remark.
For some time, southern Californian Utilities director of finance bob baker had been looking for a competent individual to take over section two, employee disbursements. Unfortunately, ken carpenter, who headed up section two for the three years, was leaving to take over a family business in the Midwest, baker had thought about Marty martin, who had been one of ken’s assistants for two years. However, baker wondered about martin, in as much as the latter was attending an MBA program night, trying to pay for a Porsche, and leading a very active life.
Baker also talked to Jim Cantonelli, about whom he had always received very favorable reports, Cantonelli had been in section one (accounts payable) for three years, and had done a good job programming many routine functions on the computer. Although baker and Jim had a favorable initial chat, Jim seemed reluctant to pursue the discussion.
Before 1985, Jim worked for an aerospace firm, and before that, an electronics corporation. He had completed an engineer/computer education in Europe to what would equal our junior-college level. However, he could not continue because he was called up for army service. Jim has proven to be one of the hardest working and most conscientious employees in the finance division of southern California utilities. He has never complained about assignments, has frequently stayed after hours and worked Saturdays on his own. No job seems too difficult for him. He has completed not only regular tasks, but also extra one willingly. And there were dozens of extra ones in 1993 when the new IBM equipment was installed.
Jim’s relationship with other company employees is minimal. He rarely participates in employee affairs and doesn't trade chitchat to any great degree with other workers. Nevertheless, he seems respected, if not well liked, by his associates.
When Jim was approached about becoming the chief of section two, he was reluctant. He noted his slight foreign accent, his lack of formal education in this country. And the trouble he has in writing up his weekly reports. But when baker painted out, in three discussions, the extra compensation he would receive, his new job title, his experience in computers, the seniority lever he was in, and the confidence baker and other officers had in him, he still had some misgivings, but Baker overrode不顾 them.
During the first two months of section two’s operation s under Jim, all seemed go to quite well, although baker understood that Jim had two or three rather sever arguments with Marty martin baker also suggested to him that it was not necessary for him to stay late so many nights, that if he would just let his subordinates take over on the assignments, they would probably fulfill them to his satisfaction, it was true that payroll activities worked in a very cyclical way, but no one should work until mid-night night after night.
Last month Marty martin left his position. He told baker it was for a better job in industry. However, others have indicated that he left because of utter frustration in never being permitted by Jim to handle a complete assignment or to take over full responsibility for a major project. when baker questioned Jim about this, he said ‘that guy has school and women on his mind, besides, he’s about as slow and lazy as every other worker in this unit”. Of course, he backed up after a few minutes, probably because baker appeared so surprised by his remark.
