Applied Project Management on Procter & Gamble vs Colgate Palmolive Problem Diagnosis Definition and Academic Sources

STYLES OF LEADERSHIP: PROCTER & GAMBLE VS COLGATE-PALMOLIVE

Problem Diagnosis and Definition

Specific Problem Definition on which the project will be based.

The problem upon which this project is based is the differing types of leadership between Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive, both nationally and internationally, that have relatively affected each organization's real and potential success.

History of the Problem (include quantitative data, if available)

The history of the problem is the differing approaches taken by the governments of Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive, both nationally and internationally, from their inceptions, through their developments as global leaders and to their current business styles.

Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble was established in Cincinnati, OH in 1837 as a two-man partnership by brothers-in-law William Procter, a candle maker and James Gamble, a soap maker, continuing to this day under the name of Procter & Gamble (Procter & Gamble, 2015). In 1890, the partnership ended as Procter & Gamble incorporated to raise additional funds for expansion. In 1900, the corporation begins international sales and in 1920, the company began using direct sales, with 450 salesmen selling directly to retailers. In 1930, the first non-family member, Richard R. Deupree, was chosen as company president. Today, P&G's manufacturing and marketing is represented by approximately 145 nationalities and its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as PG at $82.89 per share (Yahoo!Finance, 2016). Its corporate board of directors has general oversight per Ohio's General Corporation Law, P&G's Amended Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations, and the Board of Directors' By-Laws (Procter & Gamble, 2015).

b. Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive was created as a corporation with the acquisition of Colgate Company by Palmolive-Peet in 1928 (Colgate-Palmolive Company, 2016). In 1930, the company was first listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Today, Colgate-Palmolive concentrates on oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition, selling products in 200 countries with annual sales of more than $15 billion (Colgate-Palmolive Company, 2016). The corporation is currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange as CL at $69.91 per share (Yahoo!Finance, 2016). The company's corporate governance is headed by a Board of Directors, with general oversight per New York's General Corporation Law, the company's Amended Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations, and the Board of Directors' By-Laws (Colgate-Palmolive Company, 2016).

3. Review of key Issues/Symptoms of Problem

a. Analysis of leadership theories and styles

The threshold issue is determination of exactly how these two international titans are governed because simply saying they are corporations with boards of directors is insufficient for understanding their leadership styles. Particularly helpful in researching this issue is IAAP's "Leadership theories and styles" (IAAP, 2009).

b. Analysis of External Forces Affecting the Subjects' National and International Business

As national and international leaders and competitors, Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive deal with multiple challenges in the Personal Products Industry, Consumer Products Sector. Those challenges include: strong competition from Avon, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Coty, Elizabeth Arden, Inter-Parfums, Inc., Unilever, Bic, Church and Dwight Co., as well as many smaller companies (Investopedia, n.d.); multinational laws, taxation, cultures and political systems. In order to grasp the logic of PG and CP leadership styles, the researcher must also understand the external forces shaping the companies' decisions (Conklin, 2011).