Canada's rate of organ and tissue donation was one of the lowest in the industrial world. The issue had come to the forefront in Ottawa and now each provincial government had to find a way to increase the donor rate. Students should develop an integrated marketing communications plan to boost awareness within Ontario.
Focuses on Pierre Urech's efforts to change the division structure at Ciba-Geigy to facilitate the marketing of the new product. Details the relationships Urech cultivates and the strategy he pursues as "product champion." Also describes the restructuring of the research department into small teams to improve product development. Other topics include the marketing of the new product in different regional settings, the emergence of a "dominant design," and a slow-down in subsequent innovation.
John Mack, the newly appointed president of Morgan Stanley, feels strongly that the firm needs to change in order to compete in a changing investment banking environment. Mack and his senior team undertake initiatives in order to transform the culture and working style of the firm from individualistic to team-oriented. The case provides detailed information about Morgan Stanley's existing culture and systems as well as the kinds of changes that it hopes to make. Morgan Stanley views the human resource management systems as a tool for attaining strategic objectives.
Covers the history of Hermes, a large telecommunications and network equipment company, as it grows from a single business firm to a diversified firm from 1980-95. Examines the use of entrepreneurial subsidiaries for product development and fast growth. Other issues include the challenges of managing ambidextrous organizations and the problems a CEO faces in keeping control of fast growing divisions. A rewritten version of an earlier case.
On April 23, 1985, the Coca-Cola Co. announced a decision that would rock the world. The old Coke formula would be taken off the market and replaced with a smoother, sweeter taste. The reaction of the American people was immediate and violent, causing three months of unrelenting protest against the loss of Coke. Was the marketing research at fault? The launch strategy? Or did Coke "just not get it"? This case explores marketing's most famous public disaster to reveal deep lessons about managing the brand. Includes color exhibits.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Inc. had grown significantly during the past 20 years, and most recently, had fundamentally changed the nature of its business from hotel ownership to hotel and resort management. The focus of the case is on what more could be done to enhance the value of the firm. Should an equity offering be undertaken? Was the timing right? Who should be the underwriters? What should be the criteria for selecting one underwriter over another? Should it be a global equity offering or should it be kept in Canada? Would debt refinancing be a better alternative? What would be the advantage of one over the other? Who should be the target buyers? What would the impact of each choice be on shareholder value?
This case introduces the field of project finance and supplies a statistical overview of the project finance market as of the mid=to late 1990s. It consists of four sections. The first section defines project finance and contrasts it with other well-known forms of financing. The second section describes the evolution of project finance from its origins in the 13th century in the mining industry, to the U.S. electric power industry in the 1970s and 1980s, and then to a much wider range of applications and locations in the 1990s. The third section provides a statistical overview of the project finance market as it exists today in terms of industry, project, and participant data. The final section discusses current and likely future trends. There is also an appendix that describes sources of industry data and other project finance information.
Describes alternative approaches to accounting for business activities during periods of inflation. Presents hints and techniques for analyzing financial statements during inflationary periods. A rewritten version of an earlier note.
Presents a business plan for a start-up company focused on building a network of high-quality dialysis centers in the Asia-Pacific region. Includes a detailed financial forecast. Students have the opportunity to run various roll-out strategies and focus on different Asian countries. Teaching purpose: To allow students to better understand the financial and economic underpinnings of the business.
A set of financial and strategic decisions confront the management of a company trying to develop a technology for creating "electronic ink." If successful, the company will be able to create "radio paper," essentially turning a piece of paper into a computer monitor that has all the characteristics of paper but is digitally controlled.
Considers the impact of the Internet on how market exchanges will take place. Discusses the role of shopping agents and alternatives to fixed prices such as negotiations, auctions, and exchanges.
Presents the perspectives of two Russian software developers working for Cimetrics in Moscow. A central issue from the Russian perspective is whether a more structured and formal arrangement is needed for managing the Russian team.
The national flag-bearer of Germany, Lufthansa, purchased twenty 737 Boeing aircraft in January of 1985 for $500 million. The payment was due in January of 1986 upon delivery of aircraft from the U.S. manufacturer. At the time of the purchase, the U.S. dollar was at a record high versus the Deutschemark, it had been steadily appreciating against the Deutschemark for five years. The CEO of Lufthansa, Herr Heinz Ruhnau, was responsible for determining what hedging, if any, would e used in conjunction with the dollar exposure.
Covers interim period accounting objectives, theories, and practices. Special financial analysis concerns related to this topic are discussed. A rewritten version of an earlier note.