• Task: Each week you will read a case study based on a small business and the four employees who work there. This narrative will help you see interpersonal relationships in action. 
• Purpose: Apply these stories in an activity that helps you see interpersonal theory in practice.   

Instructions

1. Read the story below. Use the theory you study in the textbook and apply them in the activity completed later this week using the characters and story from the Bike Palace. 
2. Complete the W06 Activity: The End of Bike Palace in Canvas.

Mr. Vincent, Marco, Joseph, and Maria stared at the new sign outside the bike shop. This new sign was another one of Joseph's big ideas to get potential customers’ attention from the street.

Initially, it was received with enthusiastic approval from each of the employees.  

It was a beautiful sign, designed by Joseph himself, with enormous, bright red letters and a blue bicycle in the corner. Marco had recommended a friend who made signs to print, build, and install it. Maria had filled out the forms and sent the payment. Mr. Vincent had given his approval and signed the check. It had been a team effort.  

But now, no one was enthusiastic. In fact, they stood with mouths wide open in horror.  

“‘Bike Place’?” Joseph read. “This sign is missing a letter.”  

 “We’ve gone from being a palace to a place?” Mr. Vincent fumed. “Talk about a downgrade,” he added sarcastically.  

“What are we going to do?” Maria asked quietly.  

“Simple,” said Marco. “Whoever made the mistake has to pay to fix it. And it wasn’t me.”  

They all looked at each other. A large, new sign was extremely expensive, but Joseph assured them it would be worth it. 

“Well, it wasn’t me,” Joseph said. “My design was not misspelled. It must have been the sign-maker you chose, Marco.” 

“Don’t blame me!” Marco kicked over a nearby bicycle. “I had nothing to do with this mistake! You’re the one who always messes everything up, Joseph. You can’t fix a bike. Your ideas don’t work. I don’t know why you even bother coming to work.” 

Maria said nothing as she slowly backed away from the group, wondering if she’d filled out the form for the sign incorrectly. She’d wanted to get home to her son that day and left the paperwork on Mr. Vincent’s desk to check it over before he sent it in. If it was anyone’s fault, it was his. She glared at him.  

Mr. Vincent took a deep breath, watching his employees angrily blame one another. He appreciated the work each had done to improve the business his father had started. But now, something had to change.  

“Friends, I have an announcement,” he said. “Today is the end of Bike Palace.” 

They turned to him, surprised.  

 “You’re closing the business?” Marco asked. This had been his job for over twenty years.  

“You’re firing us?” Joseph asked. Despite how much he had to learn, he enjoyed working there.  

“All because of a sign?” Maria said. “It’s my fault. I’m sorry. I take all the blame. Please don’t shut the store down. I’ll quit.” 

 “No, Maria, the sign made me realize it’s time for something new,” Mr. Vincent said. He took a deep breath. “But no one is getting fired. From now on, we’ll be known as The Bike Place.” 

He smiled at the new sign, then smiled at his employees. This mistake was not worth fighting over.  

 “The Bike Place. I like the sound of that,” Marco said, picking up the bike he’d kicked over in anger.  

“You know, the Bike Place sounds more modern. We should do a grand opening!” Joseph added.  

 Marco put his hand on one of Joseph’s shoulders. “You know, my friend could make another sign for a grand opening. Half off.” 

“Maybe we could have a sale too.” Maria put her hand on Joseph’s other shoulder. “I like your big ideas, Joseph.” 

“Our big ideas,” Joseph added. “We make a good team.” 

“Then let’s get to work,” said Mr. Vincent.