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Demonstrates the dangers in assuming that a product successful in one market will do well in another, poor global marketing implementation, poor marketing strategy and implementation in general where research was used to back decisions on how to proceed, the need for an integrated marketing strategy to launch a new brand, and overreliance on an advertising push to diffuse a new brand. A 1992 ECCH award winner.

Follows a very creative founder and his business in becoming major forces in the sport and industry of cycling. Looks at a creative and visionary individual, Jim Gentes, and some of the important questions he faced as his first product (a revolutionary new bicycle helmet) became a market success. Details Jim's start-up experiences, including his beginnings when he stocked inventory in his bedroom, used his garage as a manufacturing plant, and expanded by trading a helmet with his neighbor for use of his garage. Giro maintained the highest quality and eventually placed its superior product on the heads of the sport's most respected athletes. Giro leveraged this reputation as the "helmet of champions" as Gentes worked hard to maintain the company's standards. His helmet became well-known among cycling enthusiasts and marketers, eventually garnering a reputation as an extemely "hot" new product. Along with success, the business became increasingly more complicated, and an increasing number of issues required more attention.

Describes the development of a fully automated production line for manufacturing radio pagers. The company regarded the project as highly successful; it becomes clear in the case, however, that there were some shortcomings as well. Some marketing issues were not properly addressed and, despite the claims of the company that the project was completed in 18 months, development of the line continued after the official end date for over a year. The student must analyze the situation to determine what lessons should be taken from the project and how best to apply those lessons to other projects.

Focuses on analyzing the growth potential of the company using the company's financial statements.

Explores the issues associated with leasing office space in a softening market from the perspective of a young leasing agent. Addresses market and lease analysis, negotiating tactics and strategy, and management of a financial partnership.

A specialized manufacturer of brass valves, pumps, and flow controllers is troubled by competitive pricing in pumps and higher than expected margins for flow controllers. Managers suspect that cost accounting and cost allocations to products may be to blame. Two volume-based systems are described and illustrated.

This case series is a vehicle for examining the strategic logic and risks of preemption. Rewritten versions of earlier cases.

In 1980 Ford was near disaster. The company lost billions of dollars between 1980 and 1982. By 1988 the company had been transformed into one of the most successful corporations in the United States. Describes what happened and then examines how it happened. The major objective is to look at major change in a huge organization and the way the change was made.

Since Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Co., Ford vehicles have been sold and serviced the same way. By the late 1980s Ford began to consider making changes in its sales and service process. Two developments forced Ford to reconsider these processes. First, Ford found through various surveys that customers had very clear complaints about the way they were treated by car dealers. Second, with more rapid technology transfer among the automakers, product differentiation was declining. Therefore, the channels of distribution provided one of the final potential points of differentiation between automakers. This case gives the students all of the conclusions from the studies Ford had done and asks them to redesign the sales and service process to address customers' complaints and become a point of differentiation for Ford.

Set two years after a takeover attempt forced the company to restructure by leveraging up, selling assets, and repurchasing stock. The case affords an opportunity to analyze what effect the restructuring had on: 1) the cost of capital, 2) investment decisions, and 3) the competitive behavior of other firms in the industry.

Wisconsin Central Ltd. is a regional railroad formed in a leveraged buyout, which is currently in default on its loan covenants. The case uses this situation to examine the financial structure of a typical LBO association and its internal control mechanisms and distinct role of the board of directors.

In its 43-year history, Honda grew from an also-ran in the Japanese motorcycle market to a dominant force in the worldwide motorcycle and automobile markets. To do this, Honda has developed a unique organizational style based on constructive conflict and organizational learning. Over the years, Honda has been transferring this style to its subsidiaries overseas. The case looks at the specific example of Honda of America. Students are asked to analyze "The Honda Way"--how well it has been transferred to the United States and whether or not it is sustainable in the face of domestic and rapid expansion.

Explores the process of purchasing a single family house through the eyes of a young couple. The couple is trying to determine what type of home to buy as well as how to finance it.

Brief description of the life history of a Xerox manager. When used with Managing Xerox's Multinational Development Center it allows for the discussion of the relationship between personal history, personal values, and career choices.

Describes a manager's role in developing a staff group responsible for enhancing the efficiency of Xerox's worldwide logistics and inventory management systems. Illustrates a range of management strategies for upward and lateral influence in a complex organizational context, as well as the use of a number of innovative human resource management techniques. If used with John A. Clendenin it allows for the discussion of career development issues.

Illustrates how ADP's top management uses formal planning and control systems to establish strategic boundaries for its business units. Top management has developed a detailed list of strategic criteria that ADP managers use to evaluate products and business units, as well as acquisition and divestiture candidates. Focuses on whether ADP should divest a profitable business that is drifting outside defined strategic boundaries.

Illustrates the management control challenges that are associated with rapid growth and geographic expansion. Situated at an offsite Executive Committee Retreat. The three founding partners of a specialized consulting firm are grappling with several difficult questions and problems: 1) the tension between local office autonomy, entrepreneurship, and the need for a unified firm strategy; 2) the increasing need for standardized ways to monitor rising costs, capacity utilization, and new business development; 3) redefining the role of the Executive Committee and the role of formal systems as the partnership continues to grow.

Discusses a large overnight express company, which guarantees its service, and which has created a major headache for one of its customers. The problem exposes deficiencies in its service and in the guarantee it has advertised heavily. A formal complaint is made to the CEO. From the CEO's perspective, students must confront a variety of issues related to the problem.

Details the design and implementation of an incentive bonus plan for video store managers. The problem for top management of the chain is to induce the store managers to "sweat the details," to keep the stores neat and well organized, and to deal courteously and efficiently with customers. The design of the bonus plan is simple: rather than try to measure the neatness of the stores or the quality of customer service directly, give the managers a fraction of the revenue from the store and let them worry about the details themselves. The case ends after a six-month experimental period with the new plan, and leaves the top managers of the chain saying that although revenues have increased, the store management has not improved in terms of managing the details.

Describes the initial entry challenges faced by Dennis Hightower after being assigned the task to revitalize and reposition Walt Disney Co. of Europe in preparation for 1992. Allows students to consider the challenges of cultural heterogeneity, Disney traditions, and the culture of local autonomy in each of the European franchises. Students will be asked to develop an action plan for changing the direction and the working relationships in Europe.