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In May 2020, a senior business analyst at Workplace Safety Trainers (WST), a small business based in London, Ontario, was developing an initiative to increase efficiency in WST's shipping and logistics warehouse. The coronavirus pandemic had just started to shift the landscape of business, and WST had decided to procure and sell personal protective equipment through its online safety supply shop. After one month of unprecedented demand and round-the-clock efforts, orders had started to stabilize, and WST was considering implementing some investment initiatives to help the shipping and logistics team build out their shipping infrastructure. The senior business analyst needed to decide whether to invest in a developer to implement an e-commerce fulfillment platform, or invest in semi-automated sealing and labelling machines.

In 2019, the president of On Track St. Thomas (OTST), was considering the future of St. Thomas Elevated Park, a public park built on an abandoned railway bridge and now under the care of OTST. The park was built after much lobbying and community fundraising, and a decision had to be made on its future. What was going to happen to the park? Who would take responsibility for it? The president’s options were to recommend a gift of it to the city of St. Thomas, create a paid membership for members of the community, or attract corporate sponsors.

In 2019, the president of On Track St. Thomas (OTST), was considering the future of St. Thomas Elevated Park, a public park built on an abandoned railway bridge and now under the care of OTST. The park was built after much lobbying and community fundraising, and a decision had to be made on its future. What was going to happen to the park? Who would take responsibility for it? The president's options were to recommend a gift of it to the city of St. Thomas, create a paid membership for members of the community, or attract corporate sponsors.

In 2017, Billy McFarland set out to create an immersive music festival in the Bahamas. He spent eight weeks with rapper Ja Rule planning the Fyre Festival, which, in the end, never brought a single act to the stage. The Fyre Festival became one of the most widely documented festivals of the century, and the subject matter of thousands of news articles, parodies, and memes that poked fun at what was an event planning nightmare. What had gone wrong from an organizational standpoint, and what proactive measures could have been taken to avoid the problems?

In 2017, Billy McFarland set out to create an immersive music festival in the Bahamas. He spent eight weeks with rapper Ja Rule planning the Fyre Festival, which, in the end, never brought a single act to the stage. The Fyre Festival became one of the most widely documented festivals of the century, and the subject matter of thousands of news articles, parodies, and memes that poked fun at what was an event planning nightmare. What had gone wrong from an organizational standpoint, and what proactive measures could have been taken to avoid the problems?

The owner of Dunlop Livery Antiques in Dunlop, Ontario was considering a comprehensive marketing strategy with a focus on digital marketing. The industry was changing, popularity was wavering, sales were falling, and distribution channels were shifting. A new strategy was needed to increase revenue, profit, and brand awareness in the shrinking industry. Several placement choices were available, including selling online or at trade shows. A promotion plan also needed to be developed and implemented, which included advertising options such as Instagram and magazines. He needed to catch up with the competition in terms of promotion and distribution. With retirement looming, he had to make some tough choices—how could he promote and improve sales to ensure the future success of his antique business?

The owner of Dunlop Livery Antiques in Dunlop, Ontario was considering a comprehensive marketing strategy with a focus on digital marketing. The industry was changing, popularity was wavering, sales were falling, and distribution channels were shifting. A new strategy was needed to increase revenue, profit, and brand awareness in the shrinking industry. Several placement choices were available, including selling online or at trade shows. A promotion plan also needed to be developed and implemented, which included advertising options such as Instagram and magazines. He needed to catch up with the competition in terms of promotion and distribution. With retirement looming, he had to make some tough choices-how could he promote and improve sales to ensure the future success of his antique business?

The co-founders of Prosper, an early-stage start-up offering a mobile application–based interview preparation and coaching service, were preparing a report for an upcoming meeting with private equity investors. The co-founders sought a CA$1 million seed investment and had to choose where to allocate marketing funds. Should they bias the marketing mix toward students reached via educational institutions or families, or toward professionals making a career switch? They knew that success or failure would depend on their ability to craft a compelling narrative and lay out a realistic marketing plan that would lead to an increased user base and greater revenue growth.

The co-founders of Prosper, an early-stage start-up offering a mobile application-based interview preparation and coaching service, were preparing a report for an upcoming meeting with private equity investors. The co-founders sought a CA$1 million seed investment and had to choose where to allocate marketing funds. Should they bias the marketing mix toward students reached via educational institutions or families, or toward professionals making a career switch? They knew that success or failure would depend on their ability to craft a compelling narrative and lay out a realistic marketing plan that would lead to an increased user base and greater revenue growth.

In 2018, the founder and chief executive officer of Zarr Tech Canada Inc. (Zarr Tech), understood the need for his young business to continue along its impressive growth trajectory. However, he was unsure how this goal could best be achieved. Given the increasingly competitive information technology consulting sector, he questioned whether Zarr Tech was well positioned to take advantage of further industry growth, and he wondered how best to promote his business to achieve the growth it needed. He considered various options, such as attending trade shows; hiring a sales representative; using online advertising mediums, such as Google Ads or LinkedIn; and employing an email marketing campaign. Additionally, the business' young founder was considering expanding his operations to the Vancouver area but wondered if now was the right time to do so.

In 2018, founder and chief executive officer of Zarr Tech Canada Inc. (Zarr Tech), understood the need for his young business to continue along its impressive growth trajectory. However, he was unsure how this goal could best be achieved. Given the increasingly competitive information technology consulting sector, he questioned whether Zarr Tech was well positioned to take advantage of further industry growth, and he wondered how best to promote his business to achieve the growth it needed. He considered various options, such as attending trade shows; hiring a sales representative; using online advertising mediums, such as Google Ads or LinkedIn; and employing an email marketing campaign. Additionally, Zarrillo was considering expanding his operations to the Vancouver area but wondered if now was the right time to do so.

In January 2019, the account manager of a social finance program that provided loans to early-stage, high-growth social enterprises, was reviewing a working capital and long-term loan request for a non-profit urban farm. The farm's board of directors needed the funds to further scale the company for its third growing season. The account manager needed to consider the business’s feasibility and social impact when making the decision.

In January 2018, the account manager at the Commercial Bank of Canada was reviewing a request for a $200,000 long-term loan and a $60,000 working capital loan for The Church Key Bistro-Pub, a fine dining restaurant located in downtown London, Ontario. The funds were needed to open a second restaurant. The account manager believed the restaurant owner to be a reliable business manager. Her enthusiasm for the new restaurant was infectious, and her expertise in restaurant management was indisputable. Nonetheless, the account manager was hesitant to grant debt financing to a company that had not taken out any debt in six years. She considered all available information and began her final review.

A self-taught seamstress based in Barrie, Ontario, must decide how to organize the production process for manufacturing her custom-made baby onesie - a one-piece, close-fitting, lightweight garment worn by a young child, typically with either long or short sleeves but no legs and fastened with press studs at the crotch. As a mother and sewing enthusiast, she had handcrafted several onesies for her friends and family, and now wanted to start a full-time business venture manufacturing and selling her baby clothing and accessories to the general public.

In November 2013, the chief executive officer (CEO) and the senior vice-president of Real Estate and Development of TLO Developers (TLO) were considering various options relating to a large, company-owned plot of land in downtown Calgary. The plot was being leased out to another company that used it as a parking lot. TLO had many vacant land holdings in its portfolio, and the company was starting to place a stronger focus on developing commercial properties on them. The major development alternatives that they considered were the construction of a high-class hotel or a multi-storey office building. If these were not chosen, the CEO considered remaining with the status quo, running the parking lot internally, or selling the business.

In November 2013, the chief executive officer (CEO) and the senior vice-president of Real Estate and Development of TLO Developers (TLO) were considering various options relating to a large, company-owned plot of land in downtown Calgary. The plot was being leased out to another company that used it as a parking lot. TLO had many vacant land holdings in its portfolio, and the company was starting to place a stronger focus on developing commercial properties on them. The major development alternatives that they considered were the construction of a high-class hotel or a multi-storey office building. If these were not chosen, the CEO considered remaining with the status quo, running the parking lot internally, or selling the business.

A self-taught seamstress based in Barrie, Ontario, must decide how to organize the production process for manufacturing her custom-made baby onesie – a one-piece, close-fitting, lightweight garment worn by a young child, typically with either long or short sleeves but no legs and fastened with press studs at the crotch. As a mother and sewing enthusiast, she had handcrafted several onesies for her friends and family, and now wanted to start a full-time business venture manufacturing and selling her baby clothing and accessories to the general public.

In 2012, the manager of commercial accounts at the central Montreal, Quebec, branch of the Dominion Bank of Canada considers a loan request from the founder and chief executive officer of a growing wholesaler of housewares and textiles to independent and multi-national retailers across Canada. The owner is requesting a $4 million long-term loan to purchase and equip a building in an industrial area of Montreal into which the company could move from its present location.

A carpenter was trying to decide how to arrange his production process for manufacturing the increasingly popular Swedish lawn game known as “Kubb.” The carpenter had handcrafted several game sets for his friends and family, and, since demand for the game had grown, he planned to sell his kubbs to the general public. The carpenter needed to increase production efficiency, but he was unsure of the best way to arrange the production process. Additionally, he was researching the effect that investing in new equipment, hiring part-time labour and purchasing pre-made supplies would have on the production process.