In 2019 Southwest was the only US airline to remain profitable for nearly 50 years in a row, to never file for bankruptcy, and to never furlough or lay off employees. At the core of its profitability was a commitment, unlike other airline carriers, to keep only Boeing 737s in their fleet, thereby streamlining operational costs and training practices. This keep-it-simple corporate strategy was supported by a strong sense of community and shared values that fostered a cross-functional cohesion among Southwest employees-a culture that other low-cost carriers found difficult to replicate. However, The company's keep-it-simple corporate strategy was tested in March 2019 when Southwest (along with other airlines ) was forced to ground 34 of its newest 737 MAX aircraft, after the Federal Aviation Administration cited safety concerns following the crash of two 737 MAX planes. As a result, Southwest considered parting with its long standing single carrier policy. In this case, students will be asked to consider what ripple effect a move away from a single-source vendor might have on the company's highly efficient operations and organizational culture.
In December 2012, Walt Disney Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert A. Iger announced the completion of his company's $4 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm Ltd., further expanding the company's footprint in its Studio Entertainment segment. Was Iger navigating the company on a solid strategic course or was he engaged in the same "empire building" that ultimately forced his predecessor Michael Eisner to resign?
In April 2018, Indra Nooyi, CEO and Chair of the Board of PepsiCo, was asked if the company should keep its snacks and beverages businesses together. PepsiCo was doing well in general. Its 2017 annualized dividend per share had increased by 50 percent, and it returned $38 billion to shareholders. However, the company's report for the quarter told a familiar story. Revenues for its snacks division, Frito Lay North America, grew by 3 percent, while revenues for its North American Beverages division fell by 1 percent. Were snacks and beverages actually better together, or would a separation allow each business to maximize its potential? Nooyi's response reflected the strong conviction among PepsiCo's leadership that keeping them together created synergies that made the company more valuable than the sum of its parts. Many investors, however, were just as convinced that PepsiCo would be more efficient and profitable as two pure play companies. This case provides background on the company and the snacks and beverage markets while asking students to consider Pepsico's best strategy for future growth.
Brooklyn Brewery, founded by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter in 1987, had grown exponentially from a neighborhood enterprise, brewing traditional lagers for local beer enthusiasts, to one of the top US craft beer producers. With success came an influx of competitors, both large and small. This case provides background on the company, the beer industry, and the emergence of the craft sector-and asks students to consider Brooklyn Brewery's best strategy for future growth.
In early 2020 Walmart Stores, Inc., the world's largest retailer, faced several strategic challenges. The company had just been ranked number one on the Fortune 500 list, but its growth rate lagged its competition. International expansion had turned out to yield uneven results, and Walmart lagged in online sales. To foster continued growth, the company was considering a strategic shift: looking outside the store's traditional customer base to attract more upscale consumers. Walmart's past efforts to move upscale had not been successful. What are the strategic risks and benefits of the company's latest efforts to improve sales?
The Ciber Case Series: In early 2012 in the wake of economic uncertainty and industry-wide losses, shipping industry giant Maersk Lines deliberated about its future pricing strategy. Should it continue a strategy of aggressive price cutting as has often worked to its advantage in the past? Or should it consider raising prices for its services despite a weak demand and strong competition?