Author(s):  Ashish Nanda, Monet Brewerton
Product Number:  HLS 11-19
Publication Date:  June 15, 2011
Length:  11 pgs
Cost per Copy:  $10.00

Click to Purchase

Abstract
This case follows the career and life path of Bill Foxworth, a middle-aged partner at a public relations firm in Chicago. It follows Bill through his early years as the son of two schoolteachers, his experience as an underprivileged student at Notre Dame University, his first days as an analyst at the prestigious consulting firm A.T. Kearney, his fast-paced life as an MBA student at Kellogg School of Management, and finally his career with public relations firm Anderson-Winters Worldwide. He establishes himself as a smart business development person, marries an associate at a top law firm with whom he has two children, and joins the firm’s newly established Hong Kong office. He returns to the Chicago office after several years and makes partner, but finds that the Anderson-Winters he left is quite different than the Anderson-Winters to which he has returned. Bill begins to question his future at the firm and wonders if all of his personal sacrifices for his career were truly worthwhile.

A British version of this case, "William Fox", is also available.

Learning Objectives
The case allows participants to reflect on how to evaluate one’s career trajectory, the balance between commitments to work and personal life, and how the meaning of “success” might evolve over time.

Subjects Covered
Professional Development
Work/Life Balance
Professional Services
Change Management

Setting
Geographic: United States
Industry: Public Relations
Event Year Begin: 2011