Discuss Lauren’s bias in her decision making process and how it may have affected her choice to make the decision alone.

· Identify the CEO’s bias that may have entered the decision making process.

· Discuss the business related facts within the scenario to develop an argument in favor of a group decision versus an individual decision.

· You must use course material to support your responses and APA in-text citations with a reference list.

· In one last post attach a final answer to the case scenario. Write two paragraphs explaining each of the parties’ point of view – Lauren’s as well as the CEO’s. Explain your final decision on whether or not to go through with the sale as well as WHY this is your decision. Incorporate the other elements from #1 and #2 into your response.

Lauren Becall is the top salesperson for Mudge Paper Company. She also leads the sales team that supports Mudge’s largest client, Bart’s Office Supplies. Bart’s is an international office supply chain that is growing rapidly. During the month of May, Lauren and her team members, Andy Griffith and Ronnie Howard, underwent intense negotiations with Bart’s purchasing agent, Jack Black and Bart’s CEO, Cary Grant, to restructure the current sales contracts.

The new contract spelled out Bart’s yearly paper requirements (contracted sales amounts) as well as payment and credit terms. The negotiations had been particularly hard for several reasons:

· Bart’s sales had increased internationally causing shipping and custom duties to increase the cost to Mudge, resulting in an increase in sales price to Bart’s;

· The volume of sales directed to Bart’s required Mudge to offer a volume sales discount to remain competitive with other paper companies;

· Bart’s wanted a longer time to pay on the purchases. Bart’s wanted 60 days to pay on orders invoiced rather than the current 30 days;

· Bart’s also wanted Mudge to extend its current credit line from $850,000 to $1,250,000;

· Mudge’s CEO (Jimmy Cricket) was reluctant to tie so much of the company’s cash flow to the success of Bart’s. The concern was raised because in the last six months, Bart’s was paying down the credit line every 60 days rather than in the 30 days that had been agreed to in the current contract. Bart’s did not appear to have credit issues but Mudge was not in a position to give interest free loans for 60 days.Discuss Lauren’s bias in her decision making process and how it may have affected her choice to make the decision alone.