Publications

September 2004 (Revised January 2005)
Case

IBM: Ordering Midrange Computers in Europe

IBM Europe is trying to expand business-to-business (B2B) efforts with its large distributors of midrange systems. These efforts aim to automate many transactions and business processes, removing the need for human involvement. IBM has completed an initial project with... View Details

Keywords: Customer Relationship Management; Information Technology; Information Infrastructure; Marketing Channels; Distribution Channels; Information Technology Industry; Computer Industry; Germany; United States

01 Jun 2005
News

Transforming the IRS

over the next five years transformed almost every aspect of the sprawling agency, from its antiquated IT systems to its internal management structures. Many Unhappy Returns (HBS Press, 2005) is his insider account of a mission that seemed... View Details

Keywords: Ann Cullen; IRS; Many Unhappy Returns; reform; Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support; Government

November 2009 (Revised March 2013)
Case

PureCircle

By: David E. Bell and Aldo Sesia

In December 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that high-purity Rebaudioside A (Reb A), a natural and calorie-free product that a young company named PureCircle manufactured from the Stevia plant, could be used in beverages, foods, and as a... View Details

Keywords: Customer Relationship Management; Investment; Globalization; Leadership; Risk Management; Product Launch; Production; Performance Productivity; Business and Shareholder Relations; Food and Beverage Industry; United States

11 Apr 2000
Research & Ideas

Financial Services 24/7

customers to take their business elsewhere. With new Internet-only banks and brokerages popping up regularly, established firms must find innovative ways to hold onto their customers. "Traditionally, strategy was institutionally... View Details

Keywords: by Susan Young

April 1998 (Revised February 2001)
Case

CBS Evening News

By: Jeffrey F. Rayport

The CBS Evening News looks for options for growth of the franchise. This case discusses CBS's main competitors and their positioning in the evening news market, as well as the history and operations of the CBS Evening News. View Details

Keywords: Customer Relationship Management; Competition; Business Growth and Maturation; Media; Media and Broadcasting Industry; United States

Find at Harvard

October 2004 (Revised March 2005)
Case

Citizens Bank

By: Rajiv Lal and Arar Han

In November 2004, Larry Fish, chairman of Citizens Bank, is wondering about the challenges posed by the latest and largest acquisition in the history of the bank. Fish has always believed that the success of Citizens thus far was facilitated by the credo he introduced... View Details

Keywords: Acquisition; Change Management; Customer Focus and Relationships; Employees; Leading Change; Performance Effectiveness; Banking Industry

01 Dec 2017
News

2017 in Manufacturing: The Supply Chain Goes High Tech

Customer relationship management is new in manufacturing, and again, the electronics industry is one of the first to have adopted this advance. There are still many companies that haven’t fully digitalized,... View Details

Keywords: Jerry Jasinowski (AMP 97, 1985), former president and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers

01 Mar 2010
News

Money Matters

Indian stock market was booming, and investors had grown accustomed to outsized returns. Then the bottom fell out. The financial crisis spawned in the United States reverberated around the globe during the summer and fall of 2008, and iTrust’s fledgling View Details

Keywords: Roger Thompson; Finance

25 Feb 2020
News

Case Study: The Credit Bureau

technology for B2B2C, but I suspect he will have to do that anyway. An app would be important for keeping in touch with customers and dealing with any problems in both business models. Mobley could think about partnering with building... View Details

Keywords: Jen McFarland Flint; Real Estate

November 2019 (Revised September 2022)
Case

TripAdvisor: An Itinerary for Growth

By: Jeffrey F. Rayport, Spencer Rascoff and Susie L. Ma

In 2019, TripAdvisor was one of the best-known and most-trafficked online travel sites. For nearly 20 years, its founder and CEO Steve Kaufer had steered TripAdvisor through many phases of growth and profitability, but recently the company’s growth had started to slow.... View Details

Keywords: Business Growth and Maturation; Decision Making; Business or Company Management; Growth Management; Innovation and Invention; Brands and Branding; Operations; Customer Value and Value Chain; Information Technology; Travel Industry; Massachusetts

November 2006 (Revised February 2007)
Case

Microsoft Xbox: Changing the Game?

By: Andrei Hagiu

In September 1999, the Microsoft Xbox team was wondering which strategic choices would give it the best chance against the upcoming Sony PlayStation 2. Initially called "Project Midway" within Microsoft, the console project was intended to counter the perceived threat... View Details

Keywords: Customers; Recruitment; Leadership; Management Teams; Multi-Sided Platforms; Two-Sided Platforms; Production; Strategy; Competition; Expansion; Video Game Industry; Texas

15 Oct 2015
Blog Post

Why We Recruit: Medallia

Organization:Ursela Knezevic, University Programs, MBA Talent Outreach, Medallia Describe your organization in three to five sentences. Medallia is the fastest growing Customer Experience Management Company... View Details

Keywords: Technology

01 Apr 2000
News

Rethinking Call Centers: Effective Delivery of Service is Key

call centers, with their attendant voice response units, need not be frustrating. When a company manages its call center well, effectively linking a triad of service, information technology, and internal processes, both the View Details

February 2003
Teaching Note

Bush Boake Allen (TN)

By: Stefan H. Thomke

Teaching Note for (9-601-061). View Details

Keywords: Integration; Marketing Reference Programs; Disruptive Innovation; Management Teams; Internet and the Web; Business Model; Customer Relationship Management; Management Practices and Processes; Consumer Products Industry

01 Dec 2015
News

Case Study: Bionic Banking

(Thinkstock/Getty Images) Robo-advisors, like Betterment and Wealthfront, are built for millennials-automated asset management for those with lower account balances or an aversion to traditional financial advisors. Silicon Valley has... View Details

01 Dec 2017
News

2017 in Finance: Helping Consumers Improve Their Financial Life

Large consumer banks have historically collected a lot of data on their customers, which they have used to sell standardized products. Increasingly, however, we have seen new entrants using customer data to help the consumer and provide... View Details

Keywords: Omer Ismail (MBA 2007), chief commercial officer, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, the firm’s digital consumer financial services business; Finance

01 Sep 2005
News

Fanikos Is New HBS Club Liaison

strategic planning, marketing, and customer service to support club and association leaders in their efforts to provide learning, networking, and socializing opportunities for alumni. View Details

Keywords: Business Schools & Computer & Management Training; Business Schools & Computer & Management Training

May 2007
Case

Westin Hotels and Resorts: Operations of a Lifestyle Experience

By: Frances X. Frei, Chekitan S. Dev and Laure Mougeot Stroock

Westin Hotels and Resorts adopted a new "lifestyle" brand strategy which provided guests with a new service experience. The dilemma Westin faced was how to operationally build a brand that delivered consistent service on intangible values. View Details

Keywords: Customer Relationship Management; Decision Choices and Conditions; Growth Management; Brands and Branding; Service Operations; Value Creation; Tourism Industry