initiative marshalling resources
Goals
To critically assess …
- How the scenarios relate to division of labour, loyalty, inside information, and market pricing
- The merits of each of the four options or courses of action
- Which rules of duty and utility are most relevant to the scenario
- Which option is best suit to the identified rules of duty or utility
- A personal response to the scenario and ones own rules of action
Homework for Hire
Harold hates his homework,
but likes his part time job.
He’s a capitalist at heart;
a worker, not a snob.
His buddy Frank is good at school,
but always short of cash.
He’d happily do Harold’s work
for half of Harold’s stash.
“Let me do your lessons,”
Frank urges with a smile.
“The marks you get, I guarantee,
will make my price worthwhile.”
Making money sure makes sense,
but saving time does too.
One choice is very easy,
but is that what he should do?
Suppose Harold must choose:
- hold out for a better deal with someone else
- knuckle down and do your own homework
- study together and give Frank tutoring pay
- accept Frank’s offer
What would Keri & Milo advise? What would you do?
Thirsty Thinking
Flo hears the water will be off,
the lines need work all day.
It’s hot and sweaty, humid too,
and bound to stay that way.
Flo is 10 and friends with Ann,
both saving up for bikes.
They could keep mum and sell cool drinks,
with regular price hikes.
Too bad about the mini-drought,
yet folks will be happy.
To slake their thirst they’ll gladly pay,
and bikes don’t come for free.
Suppose Flo must choose:
- tell everyone, they have a right to know
- keep quiet and start filling containers
- tell her friend Ann and share the profits
- tell folks to store water and save money
What would Keri & Milo advise? What would you do?
Labour Loss
The factory was old and dry,
a fire hazard true.
But it was all the old town had,
for jobs ’round here are few.
The blaze was quick and all was lost,
just ashes by the dawn.
Then came the fear for families,
all income also gone.
The owner of that factory
was well insured, some say.
They said rebuild where costs are less.
Go to lands far away.
Find cheap labour and resources.
Your profits will increase.
But with no jobs to keep folk here,
this town is sure to cease.
Suppose the owner must choose:
- rebuild here out of loyalty to the town
- rebuild overseas where labor is cheaper
- sell the land and retire on insurance money
- rebuild locally if employees will share the cost
What would Keri & Milo advise? What would you do?
Puffed Prices
Rachel creates her recipes
for health as much as taste.
They sell so well, but best of all
is Rachel’s cream puff paste.
Healthful cream puffs, sheer delight,
acclaimed by all as grand.
She now commands 1000 shops,
stretched out across the land.
Pricing for theses puffs may change,
depending on the place.
In richer towns the cost is more,
which some feel a disgrace.
The puffs are priced lower elsewhere,
were one to cost-compare.
All can enjoy the same delight,
but pay as they can bear.
Suppose Rachel must choose:
- vary pricing with the wealth of the locale
- switch to one price for all places
- one price, but vary cream puff sizes
- make fewer puffs so supply increases demand
