Business Case Studies
CORPORATE LEADERSHIP
Changing The Food System
Danone has signed the New York Declaration on Forests and endorsed the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) resolution. At the U.N. Climate Action Summit in September 2019, then CEO E. Faber launched the "One Planet for Biodiversity" (OP2B) program. Furthermore, Faber converted Danone into an "Enterprise à mission," a purpose-driven company. But in 2021 Faber was ousted out. The board acted under pressure from activist shareholders. Analyze a comprehensive set of corporate, marketing, sales, and sustainable development metrics; and find out if Faber’s expulsion was justified.
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Wings Of Resilience
Crisis management is crucial in the aviation industry due to its highly regulated and safety-sensitive nature. The industry faces unique challenges such as potential threats to human lives, reputational damage, financial losses, and legal implications. Effective crisis management is essential for minimizing these risks, restoring operations swiftly, and safeguarding the reputation of airlines. Other industries can learn from the aviation industry's crisis management practices, and implement some of its principles, as it has a long history of dealing with high-stakes emergencies.
DESIGN THINKING
Building Castles In The Air
Are Cirque's decisions to leave the Macau and Tokyo markets related to wrong assessments of market opportunities, or to flaws in the management of innovation ? How should Design Thinking at Cirque du Soleil be managed today ? Does the company need to reposition its show productions and break-away from some of its own codes ? What could be the new corporate, marketing and sales strategies ? Is Cirque building a future with partners - Catalyst Capital, Sound Point Capital, CBAM Partners, and Benefit Street Partners - who have a strong financial strength, in addition to ethics ?
EAST MEETS WEST
Carlos Ghosn's Cultural Collision At Nissan-Renault
Nissan was part of a keiretsu (系列). Under the leadership of Carlos Ghosn, Nissan began to unwind many of its keiretsu relationships. But the culture of Nissan - rooted in traditional Japanese business practices - still emphasizes consensus-building, long-term relationships, and a more conservative approach to corporate governance. Wa (和) is about social harmony, balance and order. Omoiyari (思いやり) refers to empathy and compassion. Kao (顔) is face, honor and dignity. Giri (義理) is the sense of duty, and moral debt. Chuujitsu (忠実) refers to loyalty, faithfulness, devotion.
EAST MEETS WEST
Guy Laliberté's 20% Tightrope With Sheikh Mohammed
At the center of Cirque du Soleil's creative energy are the artists. But when the Canadian artistic entertainment company entered a strategic agreement with Dubai World, for a show at Atlantis hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, did it fully understand the principles and prohibitions of Islamic finance? Sharī'ah law (شريعة) determines some of the core principles like amanah (أمانة) or trust; and takaful (تكافل) or symbiosis; and also the three fundamental prohibitions or harām (حرام): ribā (رِبَا) or interest; gharar (غرر) or uncertainty, deception, and risk; and maysir (مَيْسِر) or speculation and gambling.
EAST MEETS WEST
Sundar Pichai's Google Faces AI Roadblocks In China
Sundar Pichai announced during the APEC CEO Summit USA 2023 that there were no plans to launch Google's AI-powered chatbot Gemini in China. To what extent are the company's decisions to abandon the biggest internet market in the world related to an inability to practice some of the core Chinese values in business? Such values include: guānxì (关系) or relationship and connection; huíjìng hùhuì (回敬互惠) or mutually beneficial and mutually respectful relationships; tāoguāngyǎnghuì (韬光养晦) or the quiet strength and avoidance of open conflict; miànzi (面子) or face-saving diplomacy.
GEOPOLITICS OF BUSINESS (THE)
Searching For Common Ground
What is your critical analysis of Google’s international strategies and tactics in China and India, in light of the latest market research data, and specifically in the context of international relations ? The panel of the study includes tech corporations in major sectors like network development, digital communication, e-commerce, cloud computing, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI). What is your assessment of the company's capacity to seize future market opportunities based on its understanding of geopolitics and practice of international business diplomacy ?
LAUNCHING NEW VENTURES
Caffeinating The World
Whitbread PLC. received the green light from the EU to sell its Costa coffee chain to The Coca-Cola Company in 2018. The operation is part of Coca-Cola's strategy of diversification. Your mission is to measure the strength of Costa, as it competes against Starbucks, Dunkin’, McCafé, Tim Hortons, namely. Study the market of New-York City; craft a business plan; determine the strategic and operational feasibility of a new venture in one of the world’s largest cities. It is imperative to integrate 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals in your strategic plan and operational management of Costa.
HAUTE CUISINE REIMAGINED
Anne-Sophie PIC, 3 Michelin Stars, And More…
She has that never-ending quest for perfection and remains the only woman with three Michelin stars in France in 2024. Anne-Sophie PIC uses her sense of taste and smell to help her come up with novel flavor combinations for her dishes. And her self-taught background impacts the culture of her restaurants' workplaces positively. But to what extent has Anne-Sophie PIC's business model benefited from her ventures beyond fine dining, such as the establishment of La Dame de Pic and éPICerie Fine? Such are the three components that make up design thinking.
LEADERSHIP OF INNOVATION
Inspiring And Empowering Creative People
Encouraging people to express their passions is the cornerstone of Pixar's leadership. Its "leading from behind" approach challenges the notion that leadership must be hierarchical and top-down, instead emphasizing collaboration and empowerment. This special dynamic has allowed Pixar to maintain its distinct identity and continue producing groundbreaking animated films that resonate with audiences worldwide. Such a model of leadership not only fosters innovation and creativity within the organization, but also sets a precedent for more inclusive and adaptable leadership styles in the future.