A Case of Working Smarter, Not Harder

This color educational film, "A Case of Working Smarter, Not Harder", has a simple conceit at its core: a reporter for Management Magazine named Tom Copeland" is attempting to write an article about the "Manager of the Year", a mysterious executive named McGregor. McGregor's "innovative system" is a management strategy in which a manager does not order his employees around. Instead, he allows his subordinates to make their own collective decisions, thereby allowing more time for the manager to focus on his other responsibilities. The film was directed by Ron Underwood and inspired by a story written by Dr. Arthur Carlisle. It stars Woody Eney as McGregor and James Richardson as the reporter, Copeland. Copyright is 1982. Opening: CRM Productions presents A Case of Working Smarter, Not Harder (:09-:58). Typewriters in a busy office at Management Magazine: a messy desk with a Coke can. An investigative reporter named Tom Copeland, who is supposed to write about the "Manager of the Year", makes a phone call to follow up on a lead. He drives in a Ford Mustang to an industrial plant. The reporter meets with the candidate, a manager named McGregor, and asks him questions about his management style and in particular, how he involves underlings in decision making (:59-3:15). Wearing a hard hat, the reporter interviews some of McGregor's adjutants in production and delivery. First is a man named Jim who uses a computer terminal. The reporter and Jim discuss (3:16-4:45). The reporter talks to a female production worker. Both wear hard hats, and walk slowly through the plant. Later at company headquarters, a huge skyscraper, the reporter meets with the company's president, who speaks glowingly about McGregor's management system. The president packs and then smokes his pipe. Now, the reporter is back interviewing McGregor (4:46-7:19). The reporter sits in on a Thursday meeting as the employees discuss topics, and McGregor demonstrates his hands-off management style. McGregor listens to his employees, they discuss and make decisions as a group. Close on typewriter keys hitting paper, as the reporter writes his article. The reporter pulls out a paper and crumples it. He then gets on the phone (7:20-9:57) telling McGregor they need to meet, so that he can understand where the system came from. Close on a golf ball as the two play a round. The ball is hit with a golf club by the reporter. McGregor and the reporter play golf and talk on the course. McGregor explains how he came up with his system -- prior to developing it, McGregor was highly stressed out and on the verge of collapse because he was always dealing with his employees' problems. McGregor is shown in flashback on the phone, chain smoking, people keep coming in and out with their issues. (9:58-12:08). A burned-out McGregor smokes and sits at his desk at night. He bumps a golf ball into pictures of his wife and children. He has sad eyes. Ashtray filled with old smokes. Close on the pictures of his family. He'd promised his wife they were going away for the weekend so, he made a decision -- to shift responsibility onto his employees. McGregor make a phone call to his manager..."it's your responsibility", setting the whole scheme into motion. Flashback ends. Now, on the golf course, a healthy looking McGregor and the reporter walk with their clubs. The reporter sets up his shot. McGregor hunches his shoulders. The reporter swings his club and hits the ball (12:09-14:46). End credits (14:47-15:31).