Michael Dell, the CEO of Dell Computer Corporation, in a recent annual report, summarized where the CEO stands on the role that learning plays in his company. He said it was people who produced results in any business, laying emphasis on how building a talented workforce remained Dell’s greatest priority as well as its greatest challenge. This challenge contained two primary issues. The first being training, developing and retaining their existing employees so they continue capitalizing on the career opportunities Dell’s growth provides them. The second being to actually successfully recruit employees at all levels to support Dell. The CEO said the company progressed pertaining to both issues in the previous fiscal year, adding Dell would continue to keep it a critical area of focus. Dell filled more than half of its executive-level positions with promotions from within the organization, hiring the remaining externally. Dell also modified its core training Continue reading
Management Case Studies
Management case studies are real-life examples of issues and problems found in particular workplaces or business organisations. Case study assignments give the opportunity to relate theoretical concepts to practical situations. Most case studies are written in such a way that the reader takes the place of the manager whose responsibility is to make decisions to help solve the problem. In almost all case studies, a decision must be made, although that decision might be to leave the situation as it is and do nothing.
Case Study of KFC: Establishment of a Successful Global Business Model
By mid 1950s, fast food franchising was still in its infancy when Harland Sanders began his cross-country travels to market “Colonel Sanders’ Recipe Kentucky Fried Chicken.” He had developed a secret chicken recipe with eleven herbs and spices. By 1963, the number of KFC franchises had crossed 300. Colonel Sanders, at 74 years of age was tired of running the daily operations and sold the business in 1964 to two Louisville businessmen — Jack Massey and John Young Brown, Jr. — for $2 million. Brown, who later became the governor of Kentucky, was named president, and Massey was named chairman. Colonel Sanders stayed in a public relations capacity. In 1966, Massey and Brown made KFC public, and the company was enlisted on New York Stock Exchange. During late 1960s, Massey and Brown turned their attention to international markets and signed a joint venture with Mitsuoishi Shoji Kaisha Ltd. in Japan. Continue reading
Case Study: Causes of the Recent Decline of Tesla
Tesla is a pioneering company that was founded in 2003 by a group of innovative and driven engineers. For years electric cars had a stigma for being worse than traditional gas-powered vehicles. The general public believed that a high-quality electric car could not exist. This is where Tesla stepped in, the firm quickly went to work crafting a high-end electric car and released the revolutionary Roadster sports car. The Roadster was considered a major feat because it could travel very far on a single charge unlike many other electric cars. The Roadster was a very physically attractive car that helped make the idea of riding around in an electric sports car seem like a sleek and cool thing. The Roadster served as Tesla’s coming out party and launched the company to major fame as people began to take notice. Tesla’s next mission was creating the Model S. The Model S Continue reading
Case Study: The Leveraged Buyout Deal of Tata & Tetley
The case ‘The Leveraged Buyout Deal of Tata & Tetley’ provides insights into the concept of Leveraged Buyout (LBO) and its use as a financial tool in acquisitions, with specific reference to Tata Tea’s takeover of global tea major Tetley. This deal which was the biggest ever cross-border acquisition, was also the first-ever successful leveraged buyout by any Indian company. The case examines the Tata Tea-Tetley deal in detail, explaining the process and the structure of the deal. The case helps them to understand the mechanism of LBO. Through the Tata-Tetley deal the case attempts to give students an understanding of the practical application of the concept. Leveraged Buyout Deal of Tata & Tetley In the summer of 2000, the Indian corporate fraternity was witness to a path breaking achievement, never heard of or seen before in the history of corporate India. In a landmark deal, heralding a new chapter Continue reading
Case Study of Apple: Strategic Enablers and Barriers to Innovation
Apple generates ideas, manage innovation and then effectively diffuse the innovation. They generate ideas or search for opportunities by carrying out effective research and development, Apple has an innovation factory which carries out all experiments using the talented pool of people they have. It follows competition and tries to stay one step ahead of them. Effective linkages and networking is very important as valid information can be gained from them, so relations should be maintained with suppliers, dealers and other partners. Apple believes in learning and working in teams. Apple’s innovation is driven by external uncertainty and competition. Apple is also very effective in finding new market opportunities and reorganizing areas which were inefficient. It fills the gaps existing in the markets for example the gap of a product which was needed to fill the gap between a computer and a phone, so Apple came up with Ipad. Authority is Continue reading
Case Study: Starbucks Successful Entry into the Japanese Market
Starbucks is a chain of coffee shops created by Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl in 1971 in the American city of Seattle. At first, they sold roasted coffee beans, but in 1987 the company was sold to Howard Schultz, who began to form the chain known today. At the moment (2021), it has reached annual revenue of about 24 billion dollars. The American coffee company has 32,660 coffee shops worldwide and continues to expand. For example, in China, one of the most priority markets, Starbucks Corp. It has about 3,700 coffee shops and opens new ones approximately every 15 hours – 600 locations per year. The goal by 2023 year is 6000 new coffee shops. The company is implementing plans for delivery services in the United States and other countries. The main competitors of Starbucks are Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, Mc Café, Dunkin Donuts, Cafè Ritazza, Café Coffee Continue reading