Purchasing and Accounts Payable

Saul and Latisha are both administrative managers in a machine tool company. Latisha is the director of purchasing and has four purchasing agents and a secretary reporting to her. Saul is the director of accounts payable and has two people reporting to him. The secretary for the accounts payable group also works for the accounts receivable group, so in effect the accounts payable group has only a part-time secretary.
Saul and Latisha both have business degrees and graduated from college three and five years ago, respectively. They are both ambitious, and there is a high level of competition between them. The following discussion occurs in Latisha's office, which is down the hall from Saul's. Latisha is busy and has many papers spread across her desk. It is about 45 minutes before the normal quitting time, but it looks as if Latisha may not get away by then.

Everything has been rather hectic lately because it is nearing the end of the month. Both Latisha and Saul have numerous activities that need to be completed within the next few days.

Analyze the following conversation and indicate what could be done to improve the effectiveness of this interaction?

questions in bold are just reference for your thoughts, remember the knowledge you apply is related to business communication.