Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes, Inc.

Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes, Inc.

University of Phoenix

Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.

This paper addresses Harrison-Keyes’ (H-K) need to have a clear strategy to create a project plan and follow the best practices in project implementation. Some of these best practices will be identified as committing to the use of adequate resources, dividing H-K-s e-publishing initiative into smaller, manageable projects, and rolling out the project in phases to make sure issues are eliminated early in a project’s life cycle.

When Harrison-Keyes started the e-publishing project, they did not have a formal implementation plan. They had an idea of where they wanted to be, but did not have a roadmap to get there. The benchmarking in this paper will show where Harrison-Keyes must improve at to become a successful e-publisher.

Describe the Situation

Issue and Opportunity Identification

Harrison-Keyes, Inc. (H-K) is a global print publisher that specializes in scientific, technical and business books, along with various other materials. H-K holds the publishing rights for 22,700 active titles and publishes 2,000 new titles each year.

In recent years H-K has suffered the similar woes that plague the entire print publishing industry of low profits due to generous return policies from low-cost retailers. The H-K board has recently hired a new CEO, Meg McGill to help turn the company around. Meg has her sites set on e-publishing as a future contributor to profits (University of Phoenix, 2006, p.1).

Issue Identification

H-K faces multiple issues requiring examination. H-K does not have a company wide implementation strategy for their new initiative. H-K does not have buy-in from its traditional authors, the general public, and with some H-K leadership. H-K does not have terms and conditions that would allow them to publish previous works from their authors. Lastly, H-K’s current technology is not robust enough, and its software does not have adequate functionality to support their e-publishing initiative.

Opportunity Identification

H-K has several opportunities relative to the scenario. H-K has the opportunity to prove to the authors that there is a great deal of money to be made in e-publishing industry. If they point to the DVD industry, and how they are making money by creating DVD sets of not only last year’s movie and television products, but they are also making money from films created 60 years ago. H-K needs to explain that DVDs have duplication protection and that H-K will find a way to make the authors’ work just as safe.