Case study: Blossoms Up!

Blossoms Up! is a fictional organization and the individuals identified with a name contained herein are also fictional characters. The organization has been designed to simulate experiences many human resource practitioners face in today's business environments.

In response to declining floral sales across all parts of the United States, Blossoms Up!, a corporation located in the coastal area of California, must transform itself from a flower grower and producer to a more strategic and competitive domestic enterprise. Before it can take on a strategy of expansion and high profit it must first rein in costs in all aspects of its business and part of that is dealing with human capital issues affecting 800 employees of which 300 are part-time or seasonal. To more effectively compete as a domestic grower and producer, Blossoms Up! must respond by concentrating on extra specialty growth and development of unique floral varieties with new qualities and traits having greater longevity, aromatic fragrances, and vibrant colors. However, it will be challenging because the company faces higher energy, irrigation, land, and labor costs than their domestic and global competitors. A desire to modernize the entire operation means the workforce could be affected. Making matters worse, California endured a significant drought this year-the fourth such drought in a row, for which strict conservation measures were imposed statewide.

Objectives

In this case study, you will:

1. Distinguish how human resources serves as a strategic partner in the organization's overall strategy.

2. Apply human resource policies and procedures to support the total organization.

3. Identify problem areas in each of these functional areas of HR management:

a. Total Compensation.
b. Talent Development.
c. Safety and Security.
d. Talent Acquisition.
e. Employee Relations.

4. Evaluate the role of legal and ethical perspectives in the human resource management decisions affecting the organization.

5. Present for implementation human resource management solutions to address HR and organizational challenges presented by this case study.