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How Black Friday Lost its Mojo
Strategy & Execution Digital ArticleTo compete with Cyber Monday, brick-and-mortars need to keep Friday special. -
What Is Strategy, Again?
Finance & Accounting Digital ArticleLooking back at the major schools of thought. -
Why Network Neutrality Is Good for Business
Web-based technologies Digital ArticleEditor’s note: For an opposing viewpoint on this topic, see Robert E. Litan’s and Hal J. Singer’s entry “Why Business Should Oppose Net Neutrality.” In business school, where I teach, students are often predisposed to see legal concepts as impenetrable and foreign. I watch the lightbulbs go on as they see that Microsoft’s antitrust woes, […] -
Diversification via Acquisition: Creating Value
Mergers and acquisitions Magazine ArticleDuring the past 25 years an increasing proportion of U.S. companies have seen wisdom in pursuing a strategy of diversification. Between 1950 and 1970, for example, single-business companies comprising the Fortune “500” declined from 30% to 8% of the total. Acquisition has become a standard approach to diversification. In recent years the productivity of capital […] -
The Risky Business of Diversification
Innovation Magazine ArticleOn the basis of a sample from the top 200 of the Fortune “500” and data from the PIMS (Profit Impact of Market Strategies) project, this author gives some guidelines for established companies on what to expect from new ventures. He points out that it takes an average of 10 to 12 years before the […] -
Companyism and Do More Better
Competitive strategy Magazine ArticleImagine yourself solving an arithmetic problem with the top managers of a leading Japanese automobile company. As a group, Japanese producers already export 2.3 million passenger vehicles a year to the United States. They are also building capacity for an additional 2.5 million vehicles in North America. You remind your friends across the table that […] -
Case Study: Can One Business Unit Have 2 Revenue Models?
Competitive strategy Magazine ArticleGive us your opinion. -
The New Leader’s Guide to Diagnosing the Business
Costing Magazine ArticleHow can an incoming leader lay the groundwork for dramatic performance improvement? -
Competing on Analytics
Technology & Operations Magazine ArticleWe all know the power of the killer app. It's not just a support tool; it's a strategic weapon. Companies questing for killer apps generally focus all... -
If You're Not Pissing Someone Off, You're Probably Not Innovating
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Digital ArticleAs the editor of the journal Innovations, I'm asked with some regularity, "So, what is innovation anyhow? How would you..."? (eyebrows usually furrow... -
Creating New Growth Platforms
Strategy & Execution Magazine ArticleSooner or later, most companies can't attain the growth rates expected by their boards and CEOs and demanded by investors. To some extent, such businesses... -
China + India: The Power of Two
Business history Magazine ArticleChina and India, ancient allies and modern competitors, are rebuilding economic ties after almost five decades. Consequently, multinational companies face the most challenging—and potentially rewarding—business landscape ever. -
Bringing the Environment Down to Earth
Finance and investing Magazine ArticleManagers should make environmental investments for the same reason they make other investments: because they expect them to deliver positive returns or to reduce risks. -
CEOs, Get to Know Your Rivals
Strategy & Execution Digital ArticleFour strategies for keeping tabs on the competition. -
Strategy is Different in Service Businesses
Strategy Magazine ArticleMany managers of service businesses are aware that the strategic management (by which I mean the total process of selecting and implementing a corporate strategy) of service businesses is different from that of manufacturing businesses. This article discusses how pure service businesses are different from product-oriented businesses and why they require different strategic thinking. A […] -
The Role of Private Equity in Driving Up Health Care Prices
Competitive strategy Digital ArticleIt prioritizes short-term profits over patients’ health. -
Why Do We Undervalue Competent Management?
Technology & Operations Magazine ArticleBusiness schools teach MBA students that you can't compete on the basis of management processes because they're easily copied. Operational effectiveness... -
Stop Competing to Be the Best
Sales & Marketing Digital ArticleWith Cyber Monday, the tablet wars kicked into full swing. Which one is the best? Is it the iPad? The Kindle? Who has the best technology? The best distribution?... -
Innovating in the Great Disruption
Innovation Digital ArticleWhile the global economy began slowing down in late 2007, forces transforming the face of business trace back more than a decade. Over that time period, technological improvements have made it ever easier to start and scale a business. Convergence went from being a cliché to a reality. Companies from countries like China, India, and […] -
Must Finance and Strategy Clash?
Finance and investing Magazine ArticleMarketers and finance people seldom see eye to eye. The makers say, “This product will open up a whole new market segment.” Finance people respond, “It’s a bad investment. The IRR is only 8%.” Why are they so often in opposition? The financial criteria used to decide if a project will be profitable are entirely […]
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Polaroid-Kodak (B9)
Strategy & Execution Case Study5.00View Details Supplements the (B1) case. -
Huawei: How Can We Lead the Way?
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details On September 12, 2017, just as Apple's Tim Cook was unveiling the iPhone X, Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's Consumer Business Group (CBG), and Glory Cheung,... -
The Big 3 Roar Back
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details The "Big 3" - Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Chrysler - were all headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Born between 1903 and 1928, they dominated... -
MRT Micro: The CardioScope
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details Jan Bakke, founder and chairman of Norway-based MRT, was planning the U.S. market entry strategy for CardioScope--its electrocardiograph system. How could... -
Rapid Growth Through Internationalization: Applus+
Management Case Study11.95View Details Outlines the development of Applus+, a Grupo Agbar business unit, from its beginnings to 2004, by which time the company was in a strong position at both... -
Polaroid-Kodak, (B10)
Strategy & Execution Case Study5.00View Details Supplements the (B1) case. -
Viacom, Inc.: Carpe Diem (Condensed)
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Viacom has built a powerful position in the global entertainment industry through skillful and bold acquisitions. Now its expansion is challenged by the... -
Polaroid-Kodak (B2)
Strategy & Execution Case Study5.00View Details Supplements the (B1) case. -
Sierra Log Homes, Inc. (B5)
Strategy & Execution Case Study5.00View Details Supplements the (A) case. -
NIO: Developing a Business Model in China
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details By 2018, NIO Inc. was more than just a car company. By providing high-performance smart electric vehicles and the ultimate user experience, NIO had shown... -
New York City: Bloomberg's Strategy for Economic Development
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Traces the economic development of New York City from its founding in the 17th century through 2012. Focuses on the decisions made by New York City officials,... -
Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi-Cola and the Soft Drink Industry
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details Describes the competition between Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola. Provides a summary of the history of the soft drink industry prior to World War II, and over... -
Tim Hortons Inc.
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details In 2014, Tim Hortons Inc., a powerhouse in the Canadian quick service restaurant industry for 50 years, has a number of strategic choices to make if it... -
Wal-Mart--1997
Strategy & Execution Case Study5.00View Details Supplements Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. -
On Competition, Updated and Expanded Edition
Strategy & Execution Book45.00View Details For the past two decades, Michael Porter's work has towered over the field of competitive strategy. "On Competition, Updated and Expanded Edition" brings... -
Renova Toilet Paper: Avant-garde Marketing in a Commoditized Category
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details Renova, a Portuguese toilet paper manufacturer, is battling to survive in a stagnant, commoditised market dominated by international giants and private... -
Windows Vista
Organizational Development Case Study11.95View Details Microsoft designs, modifies, publicizes, and distributes Windows Vista -- against a backdrop of consumers already largely satisfied with their existing... -
Clemens Family Corp. (B): The Process of Change
Organizational Development Case Study5.00View Details Supplements the (A) case. -
Vignette: The Rebar Dilemma
Finance & Accounting Case Study11.95View Details Martin Smith, a new associate at an LBO firm, must respond to a problem posed by his boss, based on an historical deal that suddenly came undone. After... -
Caterpillar, Inc.: George Schaefer Takes Charge
Leadership & Managing People Case Study11.95View Details For over half a century, Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT) had been a world leader in the manufacture of earthmoving and construction machinery. In 1982, just months...
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How Black Friday Lost its Mojo
Strategy & Execution Digital ArticleTo compete with Cyber Monday, brick-and-mortars need to keep Friday special. -
What Is Strategy, Again?
Finance & Accounting Digital ArticleLooking back at the major schools of thought. -
Polaroid-Kodak (B9)
Strategy & Execution Case Study5.00View Details Supplements the (B1) case. -
Huawei: How Can We Lead the Way?
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details On September 12, 2017, just as Apple's Tim Cook was unveiling the iPhone X, Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's Consumer Business Group (CBG), and Glory Cheung,... -
Why Network Neutrality Is Good for Business
Web-based technologies Digital ArticleEditor’s note: For an opposing viewpoint on this topic, see Robert E. Litan’s and Hal J. Singer’s entry “Why Business Should Oppose Net Neutrality.” In business school, where I teach, students are often predisposed to see legal concepts as impenetrable and foreign. I watch the lightbulbs go on as they see that Microsoft’s antitrust woes, […] -
Diversification via Acquisition: Creating Value
Mergers and acquisitions Magazine ArticleDuring the past 25 years an increasing proportion of U.S. companies have seen wisdom in pursuing a strategy of diversification. Between 1950 and 1970, for example, single-business companies comprising the Fortune “500” declined from 30% to 8% of the total. Acquisition has become a standard approach to diversification. In recent years the productivity of capital […] -
The Big 3 Roar Back
Strategy & Execution Case Study11.95View Details The "Big 3" - Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Chrysler - were all headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Born between 1903 and 1928, they dominated... -
MRT Micro: The CardioScope
Sales & Marketing Case Study11.95View Details Jan Bakke, founder and chairman of Norway-based MRT, was planning the U.S. market entry strategy for CardioScope--its electrocardiograph system. How could... -
The Race for Space, and the Invasion of the Electric Scooters
Competitive strategy AudioDoes Space represent a real economic opportunity or are expensive endeavors like SpaceX a form of billionaire hubris? Youngme, Felix and Mihir discuss the Race for Space, before debating the viability of the electric scooter market in cities around the world. -
Rapid Growth Through Internationalization: Applus+
Management Case Study11.95View Details Outlines the development of Applus+, a Grupo Agbar business unit, from its beginnings to 2004, by which time the company was in a strong position at both...