個案總覽

The three owners of Comic Sans (CS), a specialty retail store located in the downtown core of a large Canadian city, had recently begun to implement plans for expansion. The business catered to the geek culture, offering science fiction merchandise, comic books, computer games and accessories. All plans to expand must suddenly be revisited because two of the three partners have decided to end their romantic and business relationship. If the remaining two partners want to continue the business and retain full control, they will have to purchase the third partner's 20-per-cent ownership stake. Alternatively, if the business’s future with only two partners looks unfavourable, then perhaps they should sell the business and move on.

It was late January 2011, and although Rachel De Marchi had gotten used to the long days of physical labour, she knew it was bothering her, and today brought her to a reality that she knew she would have to face. Since having founded her dog-walking service six years ago in Oakville, Ontario, this was the first time she had asked for help. She made a very embarrassing phone call to her father when she could not wrestle a dog into her car. What made the day even more frustrating was that she received three phone calls from potential clients, none of whom she could fit into her schedule. De Marchi knew that she was running out of capacity, both in terms of time and energy, and that something would have to change, but she wondered where to begin.

It was late January 2011, and although Rachel De Marchi had gotten used to the long days of physical labour, she knew it was bothering her, and today brought her to a reality that she knew she would have to face. Since having founded her dog-walking service six years ago in Oakville, Ontario, this was the first time she had asked for help. She made a very embarrassing phone call to her father when she could not wrestle a dog into her car. What made the day even more frustrating was that she received three phone calls from potential clients, none of whom she could fit into her schedule. De Marchi knew that she was running out of capacity, both in terms of time and energy, and that something would have to change, but she wondered where to begin.