Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow: Innovative Textiles Pvt. Ltd., run by two brothers Krishna and Rajan, is a Raipur based Chattisghari Silk Garment export company. It was set up in 2001 by Krishna, who has a deep knowledge of designing and manufacturing silk garments. Rajan joined the company in 2010 after completing his M.B.A. Krishna was responsible for designing and production of the garments and Rajan for sales and liaisoning with the foreign importers. Personnel management, however was jointly looked after by them. Since the inception of the company, Krishna had worked very hard to ensure its growth. He rewarded his committed workers and had even friendly relations with many such workers: However, he was intolerant to any carelessness, demand for salary hike or bonus demand; and would take no time in firing such workers even if they happened to be very expert and committed ones. Rajan, on the contrary, would never befriend his employees but would give them their due. He would attentively listen to their suggestions, demands and even criticism. He believes in setting high goals for his employees and getting them accomplished by rewarding and motivating them. In view of the increasing demand from the importers, Rajan wanted to reemploy many expert weavers fired by Krishna as to increase production and ensure quality, but it was a very tough task to convince Krishna. Though Krishna somehow agreed to take them back, yet he could not digest the move. He would often express his feelings by speaking sarcastically, bumping his hand on table, raising his eyebrows or getting sulk, which gradually made the atmosphere quite tense for the partners as well workers finally resulting in poor production. Rajan starts pondering over whether to continue with Krishna or to part with him, and set up a new company. However, in view of Krishna's expertise in the field of garments as well as his contribution to the company, Rajan decides to take a chance and negotiate a deal with Krishna. Accordingly, both of them decide to have fifty percent share each and Krishna is made in charge of designing and quality control. For production and personnel management they appoint a team of managers led by Vivek, an experienced M.B.A. Rajan confines himself to sales and liaisoning. Krishna feels satisfied with the deal, so does Rajan. The workers, under the leadership of Vivek, start working as a motivated and result oriented team. Why not so, apart from a congenial atmosphere now they have been assured performance cum profit based incentive in addition to their salary.
If you were Krishna, how would you react to your employees' carelessness or salary/bonus hike?
Employee Management: Understanding Krishna's Approach
The passage describes Innovative Textiles Pvt. Ltd., run by brothers Krishna and Rajan. Krishna, one of the co-founders, was initially responsible for designing and production. His approach to personnel management is clearly outlined:
- Krishna was intolerant of any carelessness from workers.
- He did not tolerate demands for salary hikes or bonus demands.
- He would fire such workers immediately, even if they were expert and committed.
This strict and uncompromising style led to a tense atmosphere and eventually poor production, as workers were fired and the company faced challenges.
Addressing Employee Carelessness and Demands
The question asks, "If you were Krishna, how would you react to your employees' carelessness or salary/bonus hike?" This phrasing is crucial. It does not ask how the original Krishna *did* react, but rather how *you*, as a person in his position, *should* react, implying an ideal or improved management approach, especially given the negative consequences of Krishna's past actions described in the passage.
Let's analyze the given options in the context of effective personnel management:
- Option 1: Fire them immediately
This option describes Krishna's actual historical behavior. While this was his past action, it is highlighted in the passage as a reason for the company's issues (tense atmosphere, poor production). An immediate firing without investigation is often detrimental to employee morale and overall company health. - Option 2: Overlook their carelessness and welcome their demands
This approach is overly lenient and irresponsible. Carelessness can harm production and quality, and uncritically accepting all demands without assessing their feasibility or impact on the company is not sustainable management. - Option 3: Take no action
Taking no action on issues like carelessness or unaddressed demands can lead to a decline in discipline, productivity, and employee satisfaction, creating bigger problems in the long run. - Option 4: Take any action after looking into the matter with open mind
This option represents a balanced and professional management approach. It suggests that before taking action on issues like carelessness or demands for salary/bonus hikes, one should:- Look into the matter: This implies investigation, understanding the root cause of carelessness, or the justification behind demands.
- With an open mind: This signifies fairness, willingness to listen to employees' perspectives, considering various factors, and seeking mutually beneficial solutions.
Therefore, if one were in Krishna's position, especially after understanding the pitfalls of his initial rigid approach, the most effective and beneficial reaction would be to adopt a fair, investigative, and open-minded approach to employee issues.
Important Questions from Passage Based Questions
- In this question, a passage is given followed by a statement. Read the passage carefully and judge the statement based on the given passage.
The Sahara's environment requires that the wildlife adapt to hyper-arid conditions, fierce winds, intense heat and wide temperature swings. In the Sahara, most mammals are relatively small, which helps to minimize water loss. They often meet their water needs from their diets. They take refuge in burrows during the day, hunting and foraging primarily at night, when temperatures are lower. They have developed anatomical adaptations such as the fennec fox's large ears, which help dissipate heat, and its hairy soles, which protect its feet. Altogether, the Sahara hosts some 70 species of mammals, 90 species of resident birds, 100 species of reptiles, and numerous species of arthropods. The wildlife is concentrated primarily along the less severe northern and southern margins and near desert water sources.
Statement:
The animals in the Sahara adapt to extreme dry conditions.
Choose the appropriate one from the following options
A - The statement is definitely true.
B - The statement is probably true.
C - The statement cannot be determined.
D - The statement is definitely false. In this question, a passage is given followed by a statement. Read the passage carefully and judge the statement based on the given passage.
This is a tremendous opportunity for the current side, arguably the most hyped India Test team of the modern era. In its past eight Tests outside Asia, this team has won two Tests and lost six. Redemption is needed. And Australia is the best place to seek it. The circumstances are different this time around.
No touring side in recent memory has had a better sniff at winning a series in Australia. This is not the rampant Australia of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, the teams that swept aside all before them, and were terrors to play against on their home soil.
The current Australia team has lost three of the last five Test series it has played. Australia is enfeebled by the absence of their two best batsmen, Steve Smith and David Warner, both serving suspensions.Statement:
The author mentions 'Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting' in this passage to express how strong the Australian team was before.Choose the appropriate one from the following options
A -The statement is definitely true
B -The statement is probably true
C -The statement is cannot be determined
D -The statement is definitely false- In this question, a passage is given followed by a statement. Read the passage carefully and judge the statement based on the given passage.
The Sahara's environment requires that the wildlife adapt to hyper-arid conditions, fierce winds, intense heat and wide temperature swings. In the Sahara, most mammals are relatively small, which helps to minimize water loss. They often meet their water needs from their diets. They take refuge in burrows during the day, hunting and foraging primarily at night, when temperatures are lower. They have developed anatomical adaptations such as the fennec fox's large ears, which help dissipate heat, and its hairy soles, which protect its feet. Altogether, the Sahara hosts some 70 species of mammals, 90 species of resident birds, 100 species of reptiles, and numerous species of arthropods. The wildlife is concentrated primarily along the less severe northern and southern margins and near desert water sources.
Statement:
The fennec foxes have hairy soles which help in dissipating heat.
Choose the appropriate one from the following options
A - The statement is definitely true.
B - The statement is probably true.
C - The statement cannot be determined.
D - The statement is definitely false. The Sahara's environment requires that the wildlife adapt to hyper-arid conditions, fierce winds, intense heat and wide temperature swings. In the Sahara, most mammals are relatively small, which helps to minimize water loss. They often meet their water needs from their diets. They take refuge in burrows during the day, hunting and foraging primarily at night, when temperatures are lower. They have developed anatomical adaptations such as the fennec fox's large ears, which help dissipate heat, and its hairy soles, which protect its feet. Altogether, the Sahara hosts some 70 species of mammals, 90 species of resident birds, 100 species of reptiles, and numerous species of arthropods. The wildlife is concentrated primarily along the less severe northern and southern margins and near desert water sources.
Statement:
The small size of the mammals in the Sahara is helpful in minimizing water loss.
Choose the appropriate one from the following options
A - The statement is definitely true.
B - The statement is probably true.
C - The statement cannot be determined.
D - The statement is definitely false.
In this question, a passage is given followed by a statement. Read the passage carefully and judge the statement based on the given passage.
This will probably make you want to visit Luxembourg on your next family vacation: The tiny EU country is seeking to make travel free on its trains, trams and buses as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. The re-elected coalition government of liberal Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said "free public transport will be introduced in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg's territory" from early 2020.
Georges Merenz, who heads the FNCTTFEL-Landesverband, Luxembourg's main transport union, expressed concerns that the government plan would lead to job losses if nobody was needed to sell tickets. "As long as it is not cleared up, we cannot accept that," Merenz told AFP. He added he was also concerned people in rural areas would not benefit from free travel.
Statement:
The government of Luxembourg is concerned about traffic congestion and air pollution.
Choose the appropriate one from the following options
A -The statement is definitely true
B -The statement is probably true
C -The statement is cannot be determined
D -The statement is definitely false
