個案總覽

Michael Bregman has successfully opened pilot installations of two different restaurant concepts. He now must develop a strategy for growth, including decisions about fast or slow growth, use of company-owned versus franchised units, and how to use the different concepts. To do this, Michael must give particular consideration to the pros and cons of franchising.

Ruth Owades developed a concept for a new mail order venture offering gardening products. Her current employer turned down the idea, so with permission to try it independently, she has begun the process of raising funds and preparing for a separate operation. She still has many uncertainties, but with a deadline approaching to meet the single selling season, she must decide to leave her job or give up the idea.

Steven Belkin, 26 years old and 2 1/2 years out of HBS, has decided to leave a group travel company he has run for the last year to start his own similar business. In the course of several months he has written a business plan, attracted several partners and employees, begun setting up the first tour they will offer, and approached venture capital firms and wealthy individuals to raise $250,000 in equity. He has not yet succeeded in finding investors. At the same time he has gone into personal debt to cover expenses. Now he must reconsider his financing strategy.

Duncan Field, having left employment in the cable television industry, is attempting to find and buy a cable system with a financial backer. Traces Duncan's career path preparing for this move, shows development of his financial backing, follows his search, and describes an unsuccessful acquisition negotiation. Duncan must decide whether or not to place a large, forfeitable deposit on a system he wants to acquire, but on which he has no information from the current owner.

Bill Foster has assembled a team to begin a new computer company. He must now develop a financing strategy in view of the various kinds of capital available for new ventures.