Comprehension
Ajay was thinking deeply about a problem that his organization, a business consulting company, faced. Globalization had affected his company like many other companies. Despite the downturn, the current revenues remained healthy. However, Ajay knew it was inevitable that the company could not do business the same way. The complexity of managing the business had increased with time. Consultants were under pressure to deliver good and innovative solutions. The organization had consultants from different age groups having a good mix of domain and industry expertise. It was a flat organization with three levels. The biggest challenge for Ajay was to have consultants with latest knowledge who would also earn revenues. Getting additional business was a challenge as all the consultants were busy and it was very difficult to hire new consultants.
Question: 1
Some of the consultants were adept at applying old solutions to new problems. Ajay was not very sure if this would work for long. Some of the clients had complained about the performance of old and reputed consultants. Ajay was mulling over the following five solutions to tackle this problem.
1. Decrease time spent on client interaction and increase time spent for generating solutions.
2. Increase support staff to help consultants to remain updated.
3. Decrease the number of simultaneous projects handled by consultants.
4. Make it compulsory for consultants to work on inter-industry and inter-domain problems.
5. Recruit more consultants.
Which of the following would be the best sequence of decisions taken by Ajay (starting from immediate to distant)?
Some of the consultants were adept at applying old solutions to new problems. Ajay was not very sure if this would work for long. Some of the clients had complained about the performance of old and reputed consultants. Ajay was mulling over the following five solutions to tackle this problem.
1. Decrease time spent on client interaction and increase time spent for generating solutions.
2. Increase support staff to help consultants to remain updated.
3. Decrease the number of simultaneous projects handled by consultants.
4. Make it compulsory for consultants to work on inter-industry and inter-domain problems.
5. Recruit more consultants.
Which of the following would be the best sequence of decisions taken by Ajay (starting from immediate to distant)?
1. Decrease time spent on client interaction and increase time spent for generating solutions.
2. Increase support staff to help consultants to remain updated.
3. Decrease the number of simultaneous projects handled by consultants.
4. Make it compulsory for consultants to work on inter-industry and inter-domain problems.
5. Recruit more consultants.
Which of the following would be the best sequence of decisions taken by Ajay (starting from immediate to distant)?
Show Hint
When ordering actions “immediate to distant,” prioritize steps that require no hiring and directly address the pain point, then add enabling resources, and keep difficult-to-execute options (like recruitment) for last.
Updated On: Dec 4, 2025
- 3, 2, 1, 5, 4
- 4, 3, 2, 1, 5
- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
- 2, 4, 5, 1, 3
- 1, 5, 4, 3, 2
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Immediate — (4) cross-pollinate work.
No hiring or structural change is needed; assigning consultants to inter–industry / inter–domain problems quickly combats “old solutions” and sparks learning/innovation.
Short term — (3) reduce simultaneous projects.
Freeing consultants from overload creates time to think and learn, improving quality without extra headcount. This can be done by reprioritizing engagements.
Near term — (2) add support staff.
Analysts/research staff can keep consultants updated with latest knowledge; hiring/training a small support team is feasible after workload is eased.
Medium term — (1) rebalance client vs. solution time.
Only after (3) and (2) does it make sense to reduce client-facing time; otherwise delivery would suffer.
Distant — (5) recruit more consultants.
The passage states hiring is very difficult; hence expansion of consultants is the long-term step.
\[ \boxed{4 ⇒ 3 ⇒ 2 ⇒ 1 ⇒ 5} \]
No hiring or structural change is needed; assigning consultants to inter–industry / inter–domain problems quickly combats “old solutions” and sparks learning/innovation.
Short term — (3) reduce simultaneous projects.
Freeing consultants from overload creates time to think and learn, improving quality without extra headcount. This can be done by reprioritizing engagements.
Near term — (2) add support staff.
Analysts/research staff can keep consultants updated with latest knowledge; hiring/training a small support team is feasible after workload is eased.
Medium term — (1) rebalance client vs. solution time.
Only after (3) and (2) does it make sense to reduce client-facing time; otherwise delivery would suffer.
Distant — (5) recruit more consultants.
The passage states hiring is very difficult; hence expansion of consultants is the long-term step.
\[ \boxed{4 ⇒ 3 ⇒ 2 ⇒ 1 ⇒ 5} \]
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Question: 2
After Ajay implemented some of the steps mentioned above, consultants wanted to renegotiate their contract with the organization. It seems that the organization had never mentioned that consultants have to work across industries and domains. Some of the old consultants were reluctant to change their ways, while many of the younger consultants were willing to follow Ajay’s advice. Which of the following decision can be taken by Ajay to handle this situation?
After Ajay implemented some of the steps mentioned above, consultants wanted to renegotiate their contract with the organization. It seems that the organization had never mentioned that consultants have to work across industries and domains. Some of the old consultants were reluctant to change their ways, while many of the younger consultants were willing to follow Ajay’s advice. Which of the following decision can be taken by Ajay to handle this situation?
Show Hint
When organizational changes conflict with existing contracts, always prioritize dialogue, transparency, and participation. Democratic engagement increases acceptance and reduces resistance.
Updated On: Mar 23, 2026
- Retrench old consultants and recruit young consultants.
- Pressurize non-conformists by giving preferential treatment to the conformists.
- Negotiate with the old consultants and communicate that the new rules would apply to the new consultants only.
- Do nothing and wait for a right solution to emerge, as with time resistance would die down.
- Discuss the issue in an open house and let solutions emerge democratically.
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the conflict.
The old consultants resisted change because the original contract never required them to work across industries/domains. Imposing this suddenly leads to dissatisfaction and renegotiation demands.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
- (A) Retrenchment is drastic and unfair, damaging morale and reputation.
- (B) Pressurizing dissenters worsens conflict and leads to attrition.
- (C) Exempting old consultants from new rules creates a dual structure and long-term inefficiency.
- (D) Doing nothing risks prolonging dissatisfaction and instability.
- (E) An open house discussion allows all consultants to voice concerns, builds transparency, and creates democratic acceptance of solutions. This fosters ownership and minimizes conflict.
Step 3: Best choice.
The most sustainable way is to involve all stakeholders, balance perspectives, and find a consensus-based path forward. Hence, Ajay should choose an open house discussion (E).
\[ \boxed{E \text{ is the most appropriate decision.}} \]
The old consultants resisted change because the original contract never required them to work across industries/domains. Imposing this suddenly leads to dissatisfaction and renegotiation demands.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
- (A) Retrenchment is drastic and unfair, damaging morale and reputation.
- (B) Pressurizing dissenters worsens conflict and leads to attrition.
- (C) Exempting old consultants from new rules creates a dual structure and long-term inefficiency.
- (D) Doing nothing risks prolonging dissatisfaction and instability.
- (E) An open house discussion allows all consultants to voice concerns, builds transparency, and creates democratic acceptance of solutions. This fosters ownership and minimizes conflict.
Step 3: Best choice.
The most sustainable way is to involve all stakeholders, balance perspectives, and find a consensus-based path forward. Hence, Ajay should choose an open house discussion (E).
\[ \boxed{E \text{ is the most appropriate decision.}} \]
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Question: 3
Ajay was to retire in five years and he wanted to leave behind a legacy. Order the following activities, from the most important to the least important, that Ajay should undertake in the next five years:
1. Do nothing.
2. Set a future direction for the organization in these challenging times.
3. Benchmark performance with respect to the best consulting company in industry.
4. Empower senior consultants and at the same time seek opinion of all others for handling future challenges.
5. Infuse fresh thinking by hiring outsiders.
Choose the best option from the following sequences:
Ajay was to retire in five years and he wanted to leave behind a legacy. Order the following activities, from the most important to the least important, that Ajay should undertake in the next five years:
1. Do nothing.
2. Set a future direction for the organization in these challenging times.
3. Benchmark performance with respect to the best consulting company in industry.
4. Empower senior consultants and at the same time seek opinion of all others for handling future challenges.
5. Infuse fresh thinking by hiring outsiders.
Choose the best option from the following sequences:
2. Set a future direction for the organization in these challenging times.
3. Benchmark performance with respect to the best consulting company in industry.
4. Empower senior consultants and at the same time seek opinion of all others for handling future challenges.
5. Infuse fresh thinking by hiring outsiders.
Choose the best option from the following sequences:
Show Hint
When planning a leadership legacy, start with vision-setting, then benchmark against the best, empower existing leaders, and finally bring in fresh ideas. This sequence ensures continuity and growth.
Updated On: Dec 4, 2025
- 1, 2, 3, 4
- 2, 3, 4, 5
- 3, 4, 2, 1
- 2, 5, 3, 1
- 2, 5, 4, 3
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify Ajay's main objective.
Since Ajay wishes to retire in five years while leaving a strong legacy, his focus should be on long-term institutional strengthening, not on short-term fixes or passivity. Step 2: Evaluate the activities.
- (1) Do nothing: This is completely unsuitable because it will damage Ajay’s legacy.
- (2) Set a future direction: This is the first and most important step. A clear vision ensures stability and purpose for the organization.
- (3) Benchmarking performance: After setting direction, Ajay must compare with industry best practices to maintain competitiveness.
- (4) Empower senior consultants: Once standards are set, empowering leaders ensures sustainability after Ajay’s retirement.
- (5) Infuse fresh thinking: Finally, bringing in outsiders is valuable but comes after internal direction and empowerment.
Step 3: Order the activities.
The logical sequence is:
\[ 2 \; ⇒ \; 3 \; ⇒ \; 4 \; ⇒ \; 5 \] \[ \boxed{2, 3, 4, 5} \]
Since Ajay wishes to retire in five years while leaving a strong legacy, his focus should be on long-term institutional strengthening, not on short-term fixes or passivity. Step 2: Evaluate the activities.
- (1) Do nothing: This is completely unsuitable because it will damage Ajay’s legacy.
- (2) Set a future direction: This is the first and most important step. A clear vision ensures stability and purpose for the organization.
- (3) Benchmarking performance: After setting direction, Ajay must compare with industry best practices to maintain competitiveness.
- (4) Empower senior consultants: Once standards are set, empowering leaders ensures sustainability after Ajay’s retirement.
- (5) Infuse fresh thinking: Finally, bringing in outsiders is valuable but comes after internal direction and empowerment.
Step 3: Order the activities.
The logical sequence is:
\[ 2 \; ⇒ \; 3 \; ⇒ \; 4 \; ⇒ \; 5 \] \[ \boxed{2, 3, 4, 5} \]
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