In 2014, Heidi Ganahl sold Camp Bow Wow to VCA Animal Hospitals, a leading provider of animal healthcare services. VCA was subsequently acquired by Mars, Inc., a company with a substantial pet-care business, which explained its interest in VCA. Now, as Camp Bow Wow's CEO, Heidi must ensure her franchisees adapt their operations to align with Mars, Inc.'s culture. To facilitate this transition, which actions should Heidi take? a) She should communicate changes to the entire company simultaneously to initiate a company-wide shift. b) She should consider how the transition will impact the organization's current culture. c) She should incentivize franchise owners who actively contribute to the transition. d) She should limit communication, sharing details about the changes only with her direct reports.

Heidi should consider the following actions to facilitate the transition of Camp Bow Wow under the new ownership of Mars, Inc.:

b) She should consider how the transition will impact the organization's current culture.

It's crucial to understand how the change in ownership and the new corporate culture will affect the existing culture at Camp Bow Wow. This will involve assessing the core values, practices, and business approaches of both Mars, Inc. and Camp Bow Wow and finding ways to align them. Evaluating the potential impacts will help ensure a smoother integration and maintain morale among employees and franchisees.

c) She should incentivize franchise owners who actively contribute to the transition.

Incentivizing franchise owners can be a powerful tool to encourage participation and buy-in during the transition period. Rewards for those who actively support the changes and align with the new corporate culture can accelerate adoption and create a positive atmosphere that promotes the desired change.

a) She should communicate changes to the entire company simultaneously to initiate a company-wide shift.

Effective communication is key during any corporate transition. Heidi should ensure that communication about the changes and the rationale behind them reaches the entire company at the same time. This helps in minimizing rumors and misunderstandings and ensures that all franchisees and employees are on the same page about the company's direction and expected changes.

Limiting communication as suggested in option d) is not advisable. Open and transparent communication fosters trust and is essential during periods of change. Keeping only direct reports in the loop could lead to resistance and confusion among broader staff and franchisees, ultimately hindering the successful integration into Mars, Inc.'s culture.