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In January 2023, Adam Pierce, co-owner and operations manager of Lambton Custom Flooring (LCF), eased back in his home-office chair in Sarnia, Ontario, after another day installing flooring. He looked at his calendar: In one week he would meet with his business partner, Marlin Jervis, to discuss the coming year’s strategic vision for LCF. Last year’s decreased profits concerned Pierce. He questioned whether a change was necessary to offset this trend, and, with the ever-present economic turmoil, he wondered if lower profits were here to stay. Pierce was uncertain if investing in advertisements would be enough, or if he should take more drastic measures, such as expanding the business’s installation services or even buying out his partner. Whatever his decision, Pierce would have to lay the groundwork for the following week’s meeting.

In April 2021, Jo Santiago, account manager of the London, Ontario, branch of Goliath National Bank (GNB) was reviewing a request for a $400,000 long-term loan and a $50,000 working capital loan for Atlohsa Gifts (AG). AG's general manager, April White, had made the request. AG was a subsidiary of Atlohsa Family Healing Services (AFHS) and its mandate was to use its net earnings to fund initiatives for the betterment of Indigenous people. White was planning to use the long-term loan to open a stand-alone location in downtown London on Richmond Street to expand operations outside of AFHS headquarters and accommodate a surge in AG's retail and wholesale growth due to recent events. Santiago felt good about AG's successful sales and aligned with the organization's mission and vision; however, he felt unsure about White's ability to manage this level of debt.

In January 2023, Adam Pierce, co-owner and operations manager of Lambton Custom Flooring (LCF), eased back in his home-office chair in Sarnia, Ontario, after another day installing flooring. He looked at his calendar: In one week he would meet with his business partner, Marlin Jervis, to discuss the coming year's strategic vision for LCF. Last year's decreased profits concerned Pierce. He questioned whether a change was necessary to offset this trend, and, with the ever-present economic turmoil, he wondered if lower profits were here to stay. Pierce was uncertain if investing in advertisements would be enough, or if he should take more drastic measures, such as expanding the business's installation services or even buying out his partner. Whatever his decision, Pierce would have to lay the groundwork for the following week's meeting.

Hairstrong sold hair scrunchies, and the business’s founder had experienced significant success since selling her first products in September 2019. Sales had reached CA$90,000, and media coverage came from outlets such as Good Morning America, Chatelaine, and Global News. However, the founder wanted to expand on the early success to double current total annual revenue and consider making Hairstrong her full-time occupation. This meant significantly expanding Hairstrong’s exposure geographically and building an efficient and targeted marketing plan. This would not be an easy task given the myriad opportunities the founder had to consider.

Hairstrong Inc. (Hairstrong) sold hair scrunchies, and the business's founder had experienced significant success since selling her first products in September 2019. Sales had reached CA$90,000, and media coverage came from outlets such as Good Morning America, Chatelaine, and Global News. However, the founder wanted to expand on the early success to double current total annual revenue and consider making Hairstrong her full-time occupation. This meant significantly expanding Hairstrong's exposure geographically and building an efficient and targeted marketing plan. This would not be an easy task given the myriad opportunities the founder had to consider.

In October 2022, Priyanka Bhat, the project manager leading a project for Fintech Solutions, was contemplating her options to handle issues plaguing the project. Foremost among them was to find an effective solution to the many conflicts between the team’s business analyst, Jada Goodwin, and the other team members. Although Goodwin was a competent employee and liked by the client, she had been accused by several team members of creating a hostile work environment. Bhat needed to quickly devise a plan that restored a collegial team environment and ensured on-time delivery of the project to the client.

In October 2022, Priyanka Bhat, the project manager leading a project for Fintech Solutions, was contemplating her options to handle issues plaguing the project. Foremost among them was to find an effective solution to the many conflicts between the team's business analyst, Jada Goodwin, and the other team members. Although Goodwin was a competent employee and liked by the client, she had been accused by several team members of creating a hostile work environment. Bhat needed to quickly devise a plan that restored a collegial team environment and ensured on-time delivery of the project to the client.

The turnaround coordinator at Chem-ARC Industries (Chem-ARC) had to solve a dispute involving multiple stakeholders within the Turnaround Scheduling and Planning Department. Chem-ARC had been only two days into a company-wide shutdown when a delay on the plant floor sent the outage schedule into disarray. Members of the department started to blame one another for the issues Chem-ARC was facing. With a group of disgruntled employees, a costly problem that urgently needed fixing, and a senior management team pressing for answers, the coordinator had to find a way to improve teamwork within her department while conveying to upper management that she was capable of her position as leader.

In June of 2022, Jada Abimbola, chief executive officer and owner of Workplace Safety Trainers (WST), needed to develop a strategy for the business after experiencing stagnating profits during the coronavirus pandemic. WST was one of Ontario’s foremost private occupational health and safety companies, providing training for businesses that needed to comply with the standards of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development. Abimbola was considering several alternatives to revive the business while remaining committed to its new employee-centred focus: maintain the status quo, offer first aid training, or develop and sell a new line of physical goods. Abimbola was also considering cashing in on her investment by selling the business and moving on. This case will also serve as a talking point for the importance of occupational health and safety in various industries.

It was July 2022, and Isaac Morgado, one of the founders of MVMT Strength Inc., wanted to create a comprehensive marketing plan for the fall season. The gym had recently moved to a new location and Morgado wanted to continue growth through promotional campaigns.

In late 2019, Nicole Haney was considering the next strategic step for her business, Boho Bars Bake Shop, based in London, Ontario. Boho Bars Bake Shop produced energy bars made with simple ingredients and whole foods. Haney, who had left her corporate job with the goal of achieving a more flexible lifestyle that would allow her to live in Hawaii for six months of the year, had successfully scaled the business to distribute her product across major retailers in Canada in just four years of operation. She had a supportive partner and no children, allowing her to focus on her business and career. She was considering several alternatives, including implementing automated production and commercializing with a co-manufacturer. If she chose not to pursue one of these opportunities, Haney could also consider maintaining the status quo or selling the business, possibly maintaining an income stream through a royalty deal.

In June of 2022, Jada Abimbola, chief executive officer and owner of Workplace Safety Trainers (WST), needed to develop a strategy for the business after experiencing stagnating profits during the coronavirus pandemic. WST was one of Ontario's foremost private occupational health and safety companies, providing training for businesses that needed to comply with the standards of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development. Abimbola was considering several alternatives to revive the business while remaining committed to its new employee-centred focus: maintain the status quo, offer first aid training, or develop and sell a new line of physical goods. Abimbola was also considering cashing in on her investment by selling the business and moving on. This case will also serve as a talking point for the importance of occupational health and safety in various industries.

The turnaround coordinator at Chem-ARC Industries (Chem-ARC) had to solve a dispute involving multiple stakeholders within the Turnaround Scheduling and Planning Department. Chem-ARC had been only two days into a company-wide shutdown when a delay on the plant floor sent the outage schedule into disarray. Members of the department started to blame one another for the issues Chem-ARC was facing. With a group of disgruntled employees, a costly problem that urgently needed fixing, and a senior management team pressing for answers, the coordinator had to find a way to improve teamwork within her department while conveying to upper management that she was capable of her position as leader.

It was July 2022, and Isaac Morgado, one of the founders of MVMT Strength Inc., wanted to create a comprehensive marketing plan for the fall season. The gym had recently moved to a new location and Morgado wanted to continue growth through promotional campaigns.

In April 2022, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Agilus Work Solutions (Agilus) was considering how to handle the future of work at the company. With the company’s employees having worked primarily remotely since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, he wondered if now was the time to bring them back to the office. If so, would employees return to the office full-time, or was a hybrid model preferable? With employees having conflicting viewpoints on the issue, the CEO knew that whatever option was chosen would need strong justification and to be skilfully communicated to Agilus’s employees from coast to coast.

In April 2022, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Agilus Work Solutions (Agilus) was considering how to handle the future of work at the company. With the company's employees having worked primarily remotely since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, he wondered if now was the time to bring them back to the office. If so, would employees return to the office full-time, or was a hybrid model preferable? With employees having conflicting viewpoints on the issue, the CEO knew that whatever option was chosen would need strong justification and to be skilfully communicated to Agilus's employees from coast to coast.

In June 2022, Kelvin Van Rijn, owner of The Fritter Shop in London, Ontario, is considering multiple options for the future success of his business. The Fritter Shop had experienced significant growth over its first years in business and had recently relocated to a new production facility. This facility provided approximately 1,500 square feet of unused production space and Van Rijn is wondering how to make the best use of it. Van Rijn's options include maintaining the status quo, seeking additional franchisees, wholesaling his fritters, selling the business, and exploring co-tenancy.

In June 2021, a strategist in the Canadian offices of Summit Consulting’s products strategy group was contemplating how to improve her recognition and standing within the professional services organization. However, she believed that her ability to advance was hampered by a conflict in the relationship between her direct manager and her coach. The strategist wanted to strengthen her own relationship with her direct manager, which seemed to be suffering due to her close relationship with her coach. The products strategy group was expected to grow significantly over the next year, during which time the strategist hoped to be promoted to the position of manager. However, she worried that the conflict between her two managers would stand in her way.

In June 2022, Kelvin Van Rijn, owner of The Fritter Shop in London, Ontario, is considering multiple options for the future success of his business. The Fritter Shop had experienced significant growth over its first years in business and had recently relocated to a new production facility. This facility provided approximately 1,500 square feet of unused production space and Van Rijn is wondering how to make the best use of it. Van Rijn’s options include maintaining the status quo, seeking additional franchisees, wholesaling his fritters, selling the business, and exploring co-tenancy.

The owner and founder of a quickly-growing small business selling gluten-free, naturally sweetened, vegan protein snacks across Canada, had to decide how to move forward. She was a passionate entrepreneur but also worked full-time as a teacher. The company had grown rapidly in only two years and she now needed a strategy to ensure growth and success. Her time was limited, and she needed a strategy to increase both the business’s demand and its supply capacity. She had to decide how to scale the business she enjoyed while remaining committed to her full-time teaching job.