The mid-1990’s were not particularly kind to Pepsi Co. Its flagship Pepsi product was losing ground to Coke in the United States and abroad, and Diet Pepsi had slipped to fourth among soft drinks (behind Coca-Cola’s Sprite citrus soda). Even the fast-food chains that had provided Pepsi with substantial revenue growth over the prior two decades — Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Kentucky Fried Chicken — were experiencing declining revenues. Only the Frito-Lay snack division continued to outperform its rivals. In 1997 Pepsi spun off its fast-food operations into an independent company called Tricon. When it acquired Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in the 1970s, Pepsi seemed intent on becoming the world’s largest fast-food vendor. After it successfully digested the pizza and taco chains, it was widely expected to further expand its fast-food empire. By the mid-1980s, Pepsi’s next target was rumored to be Wendy’s 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 on Entrepreneurship: Mary Kay Ash
The founder of Mary Kay Inc, Mary Kay Ash is an outstanding woman in the business in the 20 century. There are many successful entrepreneurs over the world but none as unique as Mary Kay Ash. She is a amazing speaker, motivator. Her achievements left a remarkable mark on American business industry and opened the door for women around the world to achieve their potential and a successful life. She is referenced to as one of the 25 Most Influential Business Leaders during the Last 25 Years in 2004. The United States were lowered to half mast for her when she died in 2001. Mary Kay Ash wined numerous awards and honors during her life. Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce named her as Texas Woman of the Century in 1999. In 2002 Dallas Business Hall of Fame Laureate in recognition of her lifetime achievements as well as demonstrating inspiring business Continue reading
Case Study: Coffee Cafe Business in India
Starbucks started in Seattle in 1970 as a gourmet coffee retailer, selling fresh ground coffee beans to local coffee lovers. Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz spotted an unfulfilled market need for cafes serving gourmet coffee directly to consumers. This proved to be a sound market penetration strategy and led to a large loyal consumer base. Read: Case Study of Starbucks: An Amazing Business Success Story Entrepreneurs in India discovered the romance of coffee at Starbucks and a few coffee chains, such as Barista, Cafe Coffee Day, and Qwiky’s have sprung up in metro cities. People of all age groups are extending enthusiastic welcome to this new entrant and drinking coffee like never before. Coffee lovers have always been lyrical about the virtues of this beverage — coffee inspires poetry and inflames prose; it is capable of firing passion, and stir people to romance, and drown a lover in dreams. The word Continue reading
Case Study: Nissan’s Successful Turnaround Under Carlos Ghosn
Nissan is a famous automobile manufacturing company which was founded in 1933. After the Second World War, Nissan expanded its operations globally. Nissan was very well known for its advanced engineering and technology, plant productivity and quality management. However, during the previous decade, Nissan management has emphasized on short-term market share growth, instead of profitability or long-term strategic success. Nissan’s designs had not reflected customer opinion. In addition, Nissan managers tended to put retained earnings into keiretsu investing (equity of suppliers), rather than reinvesting in new product designs as other competitors did. These inappropriate strategies combining with the Asian crisis influence on a devaluation of the yen led Nissan to the edge of bankruptcy. Nissan was in need of a strategic partner that could lend both financing and new management ideas to foster a turnaround. Furthermore, Nissan sought to expand into other regions where it had less presence. In order Continue reading
Case Study of Bajaj Auto: Establishment of New Brand Identity
The Bajaj Group is amongst the top 10 business houses in India. Its footprint stretches over a wide range of industries, spanning automobiles (two-wheelers and three-wheelers), home appliances, lighting, iron and steel, insurance, travel and finance. The group flagship company, Bajaj Auto, is ranked as the world’s fourth largest two- and three wheeler manufacturer and the Bajaj brand is well-known in over a dozen countries in Europe, Latin America, the US and Asia. Founded in 1926, at the height of India’s movement for independence from the British, the group has an illustrious history. The integrity, dedication, resourcefulness and determination to succeed which are characteristic of the group today, are often traced back to its birth during those days of relentless devotion to a common cause. Jamnalal Bajaj, founder of the group, was a close confidant and disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, Gandhiji had adopted him as his son. This Continue reading
Case Study: WorldCom Accounting Scandal
Founded initially as a small company named Long Distance Discount Services in 1983, it merged with Advantage Companies Inc to eventually become WorldCom Inc, naming its CEO as Bernard Ebbers.WorldCom achieved its position as a significant player in the telecommunications industry through the successful completion of 65 acquisitions spending almost $60 billion between 1991 and 1997, whilst also accumulating $41 billion in debt. During the Internet boom WorldCom’s stock rose from pennies per share to over $60 a share as ‘Wall Street investment banks, analysts and brokers began to discover WorldCom’s value and made “strong buy recommendations” to investors.’ During the 1990’s WorldCom evolved into the ‘second-largest long distance phone company in the US’ mainly due to its aggressive acquisition strategy. A cycle became apparent in the marketplace where an acquisition was seen as a positive move by the analysts leading to higher stock prices of WorldCom. Consequently this allowed Continue reading