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The Simplex Solutions multi-media decision scenario outlines the evolution of a software venture with a new technology that could find application in very diverse markets. The two co-founders (who have a technical background) decide to expand the entrepreneurial team by bringing in financial and marketing expertise to propel the venture to the next stage. The specific strategic decision facing them is to choose a candidate from the shortlist for the positions of chief financial officer (CFO) and chief marketing officer (CMO).

The Simplex Solutions multi-media decision scenario outlines the evolution of a software venture with a new technology that could find application in very diverse markets. The two co-founders (who have a technical background) decide to expand the entrepreneurial team by bringing in financial and marketing expertise to propel the venture to the next stage. The specific strategic decision facing them is to choose a candidate from the shortlist for the positions of chief financial officer (CFO) and chief marketing officer (CMO).

The Thompsons have fulfilled their dream of running their own business, but after two years continue to borrow money from their parents, and are facing an angry landlord looking for back rent. Opening a 2nd location in a more prosperous mall seems to have helped revenues, but they are facing high year end inventory levels necessitating markdowns and reflecting the risks of the "fashion" oriented children's retail clothing business. Having their own business had put a strain in their lives and relations with their family. Her parents provided initial and ongoing funding and their son, a lawyer, has voiced his concern about the local attorney's competence, who was suggesting they consider bankruptcy. As they face the peak Christmas season, they realize that they may lose their "dream child" and are not sure if it is the way they are running the business, the financial reports or their locations.

Supplements the (A) Case, 813043 Deborah Denenberg reflects on the results and actions taken during the 12 months following her first 6 months on the job.

The case is intended for a class relatively early in a decision analysis or a risk analysis class module. The case can be used as the very first case in the course if students are familiar with the concepts of NPV. Alternatively, students can be given a short technical note on calculating NPV for cash flows as pedagogy for the case. The analysis requires use of NPV calculations to determine the outcomes of different options in the case and to choose one of the given options. Using the choices that students make, the instructor can lead a rich discussion on effects of risk-seeking and risk-averse behavior in situations that managers face in real life.

Student spreadsheet to case UV6468

Looking back at five years of losses, Rivka Belzer, a newly minted MBA, steps into her family owned business with their mandate to turn it around or close it. In her first six months, she has made a number of changes, with mixed results, but is beginning to show a profit. Many strategic, organizational, marketing, control, and operational decisions lie ahead as she plans for the next year and tries to manage a difficult board of directors in the challenging entertainment industry.

AeroMechanical Services, Ltd. has a superior aircraft-monitoring product, FLYHT, which is significantly more advanced than the typical flight data recorder used by airlines. It can be easily installed and provides a wide range of real-time information that could be critical for airlines looking to reduce costs and improve safety. Yet it continues to struggle to get its solution adopted by major airlines. The vice president of business development for AeroMechanical is looking for a way to cross the chasm to expand sales from the early-adopter market to the major carriers.

Since 1966, the Rehabilitation Institute of Puebla Civil Association (IPODERAC) had dedicated itself to providing a home and education for children who had been abandoned in the streets of Mexico. Using an educational model based on the concept of personal development through honourable work, IPODERAC had successfully combined its desire to be financially self-sufficient with its goal of teaching educational values, responsibility, and discipline to the children in its care, thus enabling them to develop a sense of belonging and some useful life skills.<br><br>This case explores the inception and long evolution of IPODERAC’s educational model, as well as the organization’s constant search for production projects that would enable it to generate income. After meeting this goal, IPODERAC also faced the ongoing challenge of maintaining its business units without deviating from its institutional mission. By April 2009, IPODERAC had all but obtained self-sufficiency; however, given the national financial crisis and the emergence of the swine flu epidemic, IPODERAC’s main source of income (the sale of gourmet cheeses) had suddenly diminished. This crisis affected the stability of the institution, and new proposals for diversification were needed to strengthen IPODERAC’s financial sustainability and avoid similar pitfalls in the future.

This case is a supplement to Damn Heels (A).

Starting in 1966, the Rehabilitation Institute of Puebla Civil Association (IPODERAC) has dedicated itself to providing a home and an education for children who have been abandoned in the streets of Mexico. Using an educational model based on the concept of personal development through honourable work, IPODERAC has successfully combined its desire to be financially self-sufficient with its goal of teaching educational values, responsibility and discipline to the children in its care, thus enabling them to develop a sense of belonging and some useful skills for life. This case explores the inception and the long evolution of IPODERAC's educational model, as the organization faces a constant search for production projects that will enable it to generate income. After meeting this goal, IPODERAC also faces the ongoing challenge of maintaining its business units without deviating from its institutional mission. By April 2009, IPODERAC had all but obtained self-sufficiency; however, given the national financial crisis and the emergence of the influenza A1H1 epidemic, IPODERAC's main source of income (i.e., the sale of gourmet cheeses) had suddenly diminished. This crisis affected the stability of the institution, and as a result new proposals for diversification were needed to strengthen IPODERAC's financial sustainability and to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.

Peter Jepsen, a newly minted MBA, has bought a furniture hardware manufacturing business utilizing debt and investors equity that in a very short time is about to trigger bank covenants due to poor financial performance. The prior owner continues to be involved in the business, handling key customers and expecting a healthy earn-out and some favorable transaction closing adjustments and Jepsen considers the wisdom of having him involved. Further, he has discovered an illegal practice to avoid customs duties that has been going on for years and condoned by the owner. He has taken steps to bring on new hires and outsource to reduce costs, but the faltering economy is lowering his revenues. He has to decide how to manage his banking relationships, the caliber of staff he needs and react to the declining revenue while maintaining the confidence of his board.

Since November 2011, the director and chief scientist for Acumen Research Laboratories (ARL) had been conferring with Spring Singapore — a government agency devoted to the city-state’s economic growth — on ways to improve the current procurement practices of the biomedical science (BMS) industry in Singapore. As a senior chief scientist and the founder of ARL, she saw and experienced tremendous purchasing inefficiency and quality problems in the existing procurement practice in sourcing supplies and equipment. She believed that a centralized procurement structure and process among all members of the BMS industry in Singapore would be more efficient and was in April 2012 finalizing a proposal to Spring Singapore for initial funding to set up such a purchasing consortium. This consortium would be a new line of business for ARL.

It was May 2007. Earlier in the week, Epsilon Refinery Group had received notification from one of its major suppliers that the price of a key raw material, hydrofluoric acid (HF), would increase at the end of the year-in just seven months. This action was in accordance with an environmental clause in the contract with Cornwell Performance Products (CPP), a division of the multinational chemical manufacturer, Cornwell, Inc. Also in accordance with the contract, action would be required within the next 60 days. Preliminary discussions within Epsilon focused on three primary alternatives. These limited options and the very high stakes involved made the pending discussions with CPP among the most important in recent Epsilon history.

Firms have increasingly been turning to cyber risk insurance in order to better manage cyber threats and any resulting legal liability from data breaches. But how useful is this tactic? Herein, I analyze the impact of cyber attacks on firms, some of the applicable U.S. law shaping private sector responses to data breaches, and the extent to which cyber risk insurance helps mitigate the cyber threat. Ultimately, I argue that firms must take a proactive stance toward managing cyber attacks-not only for their wellbeing, but also to enhance overall cybersecurity and help secure critical national infrastructure.

Madison Kryswada, director of alumni relationships at State University, assembled a 125-school data set to explore, in her words, "the drivers of alumni giving rate." The alumni giving rate contributed 5% to the increasingly important U.S. News & World Report rankings of U.S. colleges and universities. Wanting to understand the relationship between this variable and school characteristics, Kryswada gave her assistant a list of four well-formed questions to answer.

Spreadsheet for case UV6394

A four-year-old cosmetics company is experiencing the typical difficulties of a company evolving from a mom-and-pop operation to a scalable, systems-driven organization. The CEO and founder recognized a problem and opportunity with foundation makeup. She developed a self-adjusting, hard-powder makeup for use on any skin tone. Following an appearance on a reality TV show for entrepreneurs and numerous other promotional measures, the company’s sale grew to nearly $800,000. The recent acquisition of chain store clients requires the company to raise capital to finance the required inventory. Additionally, the company has consolidated its operations into a 4,000 square foot facility to improve logistics, quality control and management efficiency. Ambitious sales projections include a doubling of sales for the next two years. To support this projected growth, the CEO must ensure the appropriate systems are in place. She also needs to finance a marketing program to drive growth.

The case centers on the dilemma faced by Carlo Fontana, the owner-operator of a small chain of two four star urban hotels located in Lugano, Switzerland and the other in Milan, Italy. Having developed an extensive customer service and operations information system, called Happy Guests Relationship Management, Fontana is entertaining the possibility of commercializing his innovation. Doing so may provide a welcome new source of income during the greatest economic slowdown in recent history and it would help in keeping the HGRM design and development team motivated to refine and improve the solution. However, commercializing the innovation may also stretch his organization too thin, and bring his team into a business, the software industry, completely foreign to them.

A patent lawyer and amateur woodworker with a doctorate in physics has invented a new technology to prevent table saw injuries - specifically, amputations. He has no desire to manufacture table saws, and instead protects his technology with patents and then seeks licensing arrangements with incumbent saw producers. In 2002, after two years of attempting to engage manufacturers, he accepts that they are unwilling to license his invention and he must decide whether to return to his law practice or launch a company to produce saws himself. He and his partners have no knowledge or experience with regard to making saws or starting a business. The (B) case advances the narrative to 2012.