AT&T Resource Link (A, B)

Authors: Harman, Joel; Seeger, John
Source: North American Case Research Association, Case Research Journal, Summer/Fall, 1998; The Laurier Institute
Year: 1998
Company Name: AT&T
Number of pages: 28

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Abstract:

Jim Meadows, having created a new venture within AT&T, finds himself with a problem. His "Resource Link" organization-an internal, on-pay-roll temporary employment agency that uses "at-risk" AT&T managers and professionals as contingent workers-has grown dramatically and boasts highly satisfied staff and customers. It is successful in many dimensions, but a critical measure demanded by AT&T is far from satisfied. RL is committed to break-even operations, and it is still losing millions according to AT&T accounting. Meadows has two more years to stop the losses. "Ma Bell" does not tolerate insolvent operations. In the follow-up case, Meadows gets RL in the black, negotiates it through AT&T's "trivestiture," and turns the reigns over to Ellen Jackson. Having become a major player in AT&T's workforce planning, RL must now spearhead radical changes to the culture of the company and the composition of its workforce, envisioned to include as many as 40 thousand contingent employees.