Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) is a global mining company that has made its first foray into the Canadian far north with its Meadowbank gold mining site. The case describes how AEM has worked with the local government to gain its support, signing an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA). This IIBA outlines a number of commitments that AEM must meet in order to ensure equal representation of Inuit people within the mine. The case follows the superintendent of human resources (HR). Facing a turnover rate of 83 per cent and high levels of absenteeism among AEM’s Inuit workforce, AEM is dealing with a talent management crisis of unprecedented proportions. The superintendent of HR must remedy the situation while operating within an environment characterized by resource constraints and a diverse workforce.

Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) is a global mining company that has made its first foray into the Canadian far north with its Meadowbank gold mining site. The case describes how AEM has worked with the local government to gain its support, signing an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA). This IIBA outlines a number of commitments that AEM must meet in order to ensure equal representation of Inuit people within the mine. The case follows the superintendent of human resources (HR). Facing a turnover rate of 83 per cent and high levels of absenteeism among AEM's Inuit workforce, AEM is dealing with a talent management crisis of unprecedented proportions. The superintendent of HR must remedy the situation while operating within an environment characterized by resource constraints and a diverse workforce.

Maria Rodale, heir apparent to Rodale Press (Runners' World, Bicycling, Organic Gardening, Prevention Magazine) is about to begin a sabbatical to prepare herself for her as-yet-to-be-determined leadership role. She must consider several challenges: ascertaining her new job and convincing the chairman (her mother) to share power, gaining the confidence of more-experienced senior management, navigating family (shareholder) politics, and charting a new corporate direction and strategy.

The night before she assumes her new role as vice chairman of Rodale Press, Maria Rodale prepares her coming-out speech and polishes her 90-day plan for how she will "make her mark." Recent financials indicate positive results, causing Maria to wonder how she will be able to imbue the firm with a sense of urgency given the fast-changing publishing business.