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Two MBA students decide to launch an e-commerce, Internet-based business selling interactive games. Currently the video game market focused on personal computer-based platforms with only one offering Internet access. Over the next few months they would have a number of challenges, not only would the need to build the programming for the site, they must develop a business plan and marketing strategy that would compete with the strong personal computer-based video game market. The supplement, GamesEDGE.com (B), product 9B00A034 outlines the results after the launch of the business.

Knowledge sharing allows teams and individuals to more quickly develop solutions to difficult problems, reduce costly duplication of effort, and create new, innovative solutions through collaboration. But, as this former George Washington University professor turned academic points out, most knowledge sharing practices neglect the group or individual who will receive and hopes to leverage the knowledge. Written to help the reader empathize with and understand the particular needs of the knowledge sharer, this article suggests what organizations and managers can do to support the particular needs of the other, important component of the knowledge equation, the knowledge receiver. (NOTE: Ms. Dixon's book, Common Knowledge, was chosen as The Globe and Mail's Report on Business's Best Business Book of 2000.)

In turbulent times, some leaders make tough choices with courage and conviction. Others, however, remain indecisive. But most executives find ways to cope with uncertainty, ways that enable them to make sense of a confusing situation. In this article, the author describes seven strategies that leaders can use to cope with ambiguity and complexity when making decisions. He also points out their drawbacks, underlining the need to take great care when deploying these strategies.

The CEO of a rapid-growth firm has a particular set of challenges, and as these authors point out, how a CEO manages each challenge will have an impact on a critical component of their firm's growth, information technology. The authors identify 12 challenges, from managing cash flow and choosing partners for alliances to fostering an open work environment and obtaining employee buy in. They also recommend tactics that will help managers meet each of the challenges.

Blue Titanium is a strategy boutique that provides consulting to senior management and specializes in competitive intelligence. The founder of the company is fine-tuning his strategic plan and has to decide whether the selection of the company's Web server software and hardware should be decided as part of the company's strategy or to leave the selection to the chief technology officer.

NRG Investments is a venture capital group whose current area of investment interest lies in Internet startups that specialize in information personalization software and infrastructure software. The director of NRG Investments is in the process of researching two very similar business plans in an effort to determine which idea, if either, merits NRG's $500,000 venture capital financing package. Management representatives from each of the two companies, ConciergeConnectInc. and Hotel Services Online, have already met with NRG Investments to provide the details of their Internet business plans. Both companies provide software packages that would interconnect concierges in high-traffic hotels, condominiums and offices with a wide variety of service providers (e.g., travel services, restaurants, ticket purchases, etc.). Both sets of entrepreneurs have been identified by NRG as being capable managers. The director's decision will therefore be based on her assessment of the products, market attractiveness, technology, revenue models, potential partnerships, possible exit strategies and company values.

The partners of CompleteScript.com, an Internet-based automated prescription filling service, have to decide whether to continue developing their innovative service themselves, to escalate the project with the help of venture capital or to sell the business. One of the partners knew they would need to create a solid plan with a clear strategy and cost structure to prepare for any of the options.

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Board is a nine member board appointed to administer the well-established Ontario Teachers' pension plan. At one time, there were concerns that the plans value of liabilities was exceeding the value of assets. Through the board's investment strategy, the plan turn itself around and now had a surplus. The board needed to consider the best investment options for this surplus to reduce the risk of surplus loss. One option is investment in timberland - land with the potential to grow commercial tree crops. The board's director of research and economics is preparing an analysis of the pros and cons of investing in timberland and must recommend whether the board should consider such an investment.

This note focuses on some of the methods used in the valuation of private companies. It looks at the differences between private and public companies for valuation purposes and the importance of making a reliable estimate. Also discussed are discounted cash flows, comparable valuation techniques and the limitations and challenges presented by a private company valuation.

Sailing Voyages, Inc. is a tour boat company offering day cruises on a sailing schooner. In this exercise, the owner of the company needs to determine the amount and nature of costs and revenues with varying number of sailing voyages and a limited season of operation.

Nintendo Co. Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the retail video game industry. In 1998 the color version of Nintendo Game Boy would be launched simultaneously in North America and Europe and would be one of Nintendo's most important launches. The president of Nintendo, Canada must develop a marketing plan that would generate the most profit.

Komandor SA is a subsidiary of a Polish holding company that manufactures sliding doors and closet organizer systems. The company president and his Canadian counterpart must decide on a transfer pricing policy for consulting services and associated components shipped between the two countries. Polish tax regulations seem unclear and arbitrary and the tax auditor has disallowed the consulting fees. The two presidents must decide whether allocating the consulting fee to product overhead will solve the problem.

The entrepreneurs of the Regical Electronics Company Limited, a financial software and integrated system developer in Guangzhou, have perceived a new e-business opportunity in the sale of an electronic payment system. To implement the Hotye business project, a new company is established, and the immediate task for the chief financial officer is to seek financing sources for the huge investment and to determine the appropriate accounting policies that will help the new company decide on its business and financial strategies. Two significant financial reporting issues are the depreciation of the Hotye electronic payment terminals and the method of revenue recognition, as various approaches of depreciation and revenue recognition can produce different impacts on taxation and on the bottom line.

Blinds To Go is a manufacturer and retailer of customized window coverings. The company has been steadily expanding the number of stores across North America. The vice chairman is concerned with the lack of staff in some of these newly expanded stores. With plans of an initial public offering within the next two years, senior management must determine what changes need to be made to the recruitment strategy and how to develop staff that will help them achieve the company's growth objectives.

NES is one of Germany's largest industrial manufacturing groups. The company wants to set up a holding company to facilitate its manufacturing activities in China. They have authorized representatives in their Beijing office to draw up the holding company application and to negotiate with the Chinese government for terms of this agreement. In order to maximize their chances of having their application accepted, the NES team in Beijing hires a government affairs coordinator who is a native Chinese and whose professional background has familiarized her with Chinese ways of doing business. NES's government affairs coordinator finds herself in a difficult position when she proposes that gifts should be given to government officials in order to establish a working relationship that will better NES's chance of having its application approved. This method of doing business is quite common in China. The other members of the NES team are shocked at what would be considered bribery and a criminal offence in their country. The coordinator must find a practical way to bridge the gap between working within accepted business practices in China and respecting her employers' code of business ethics. The complementary (B) case (9B01C030) gives a brief summary of the eventual solution to this problem.

This supplement to NES China: Business Ethics (A) (product 9B01C029) provides a brief summary of the eventual solution to this problem.

Glegg Water Company is an international company that specializes in customizing premanufactured components into full industrial water treatment systems. In the early 1990s, the water treatment industry had introduced a process that removes charged particles from water used in industrial applications. This technology was superior to resin technology because it was more environmentally sound and more reliable. However, its applications were limited to low water flows. Glegg, through its development of the E-Cell, refined the technology that made it available to high water flow operations, was expandable and more versatile than previous systems. In spite of the clear technological superiority, Glegg was finding it difficult penetrating the market. The chief executive officer must develop a strategy and marketing plan that will make E-Cell the industry standard.

Beijing Jeep Corporation Ltd. was one of the first joint ventures between an American company, DaimlerChrysler Corporation and a Chinese enterprise, Beijing Automotive Works. Early in its operations, Beijing Jeep was given preferential treatment on tariffs and foreign exchange, and had spent many years developing relationships with senior government officials that protected them from import competition. After several years of negotiations, there was an agreement of terms for China to enter into the World Trade Organization. Terms of this agreement called for a steep reduction in tariffs for imported automobiles, which would lower entry barriers to the Chinese automotive industry, thus creating more competition for the company. Tariffs on components imported from the United States would also be reduced but this would not be enough to offset the flood of imported vehicles into the market. Entry into the World Trade Organization would mean a lot of changes, and Beijing Jeep must determine whether they should continue focusing on the relationships they have built with the government, or approach their joint venture partner for additional support.

Future Shop is a large retail store chain that specializes in audio, video, computer equipment and software, and appliances. A student group has conducted a research study of Future Shop customers' perception of the strengths and weaknesses of the chain and submitted their findings.

Shanghai Eurotel Center Co. Ltd. is a joint venture formed by four parties from China, France (2) and Singapore to construct and operate a group of buildings including one five-star hotel, a luxury shopping center, some apartments and office space. After the first seven months of operation, actual profit of the hotel was under budget. The chief accountant, in preparing for a report for the board of directors, must decide how to resolve the problems with ambiguous accountability for operations, lack of appropriate performance measures and must analyze performance using flexible budgets.