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- News (31)
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Show Results For
-
All HBS Web
(523)
- News (31)
- Research (430)
- Multimedia (2)
- Faculty Publications (142)
- September 2009
- Case
Culinarian Cookware: Pondering Price Promotion
By: John A. Quelch and Heather Beckham
In November of 2006, senior executives at Culinarian Cookware were debating the merits of price promotions for the company's premium cookware products. The VP of Marketing, Donald Janus, and Senior Sales Manager, Victoria Brown, had different views. Janus felt price...
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Keywords:
Profitability Analysis;
Consumer Marketing;
Brand Equity;
Pricing Policies;
Sales Promotions;
Small & Medium-sized Enterprises;
Decisions;
Goals and Objectives;
Price;
Marketing Strategy;
Consumer Behavior;
Management Teams;
Sales;
Brands and Branding;
Consumer Products Industry
Quelch, John A., and Heather Beckham. "Culinarian Cookware: Pondering Price Promotion." Harvard Business School Brief Case 094-057, September 2009.
- March 2015
- Article
Business Model Evaluation: Quantifying Walmart's Sources of Advantage
By: Humberto Brea-Solís, Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Emili Grifell-Tatjé
We develop an analytical framework on the basis of the economics of business performance to provide quantitative insight into the link between a firm's business model choices and its profit consequences. The method is applied to Walmart by building a qualitative...
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Keywords:
Business Models;
Quantitative Analysis;
Walmart;
Production Theory;
Business Model;
Competitive Advantage;
Profit
Brea-Solís, Humberto, Ramon Casadesus-Masanell, and Emili Grifell-Tatjé. "Business Model Evaluation: Quantifying Walmart's Sources of Advantage." Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal 9, no. 1 (March 2015): 12–33.
- June 2017
- Teaching Note
Project Sun Devil and Project Paris
By: Nori Gerardo Lietz and Alexander W. Schultz
Tony Lee is preparing to present a project to the investment committee of Howard Street Capital. He will be recommending an investment in Project Sun Devil, a high-quality 225-unit student housing rental property near Tempe, Arizona. Tony Lee will compete for capital...
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Keywords:
General Management;
Financial Analysis;
Return On Assets;
Accounting;
Performance Measurement;
Financial Ratios;
Return On Equity;
Financial Statements;
Profitability Analysis;
Portfolio Investment;
Portfolio Management;
Real Estate;
Property;
Investment Portfolio;
Investment Return;
Analysis;
Real Estate Industry;
United States
- April 2021 (Revised March 2024)
- Case
Social Media War 2021: Snap vs. Facebook vs. TikTok
By: David B. Yoffie and Daniel Fisher
This case explores the competitive war between Snap, Facebook, and TikTok in 2021. The strategic focus is on Snapchat: how should it respond to the emergence of TikTok, and how should it compete with the dominant competitor in its space—Facebook. The case examines...
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Keywords:
Strategy Development;
Competitor Analysis;
Strategy;
Network Effects;
Competitive Strategy;
Decision Choices and Conditions;
Social Media
Yoffie, David B., and Daniel Fisher. "Social Media War 2021: Snap vs. Facebook vs. TikTok." Harvard Business School Case 721-443, April 2021. (Revised March 2024.)
- September 2008
- Case
Harrington Collection: Sizing Up the Active-Wear Market
By: Richard S. Tedlow and Heather Beckham
In the wake of slumping sales and sagging profit margins, a leading manufacturer and retailer of high-end women's apparel, Harrington Collection, must evaluate an opportunity to expand into the high-growth active-wear market. Sara Huey, Vice President of Strategic...
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Keywords:
Breakeven Analysis;
Product Introduction;
Expansion;
Consumer Behavior;
Supply and Industry;
Product Launch;
Apparel and Accessories Industry
Tedlow, Richard S., and Heather Beckham. "Harrington Collection: Sizing Up the Active-Wear Market." Harvard Business School Brief Case 083-258, September 2008.
- January 2013
- Case
Brannigan Foods: Strategic Marketing Planning
By: John A. Quelch and James T. Kindley
The soup division at Brannigan Foods contributes over 40% of the firm's revenue. The general manager is concerned that the soup industry is declining and that the soup division shows declining profits and market share, especially among the important baby boomer...
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Keywords:
United States;
Consumer Marketing;
Acquisitions;
Forecasting;
Quantitative Analysis;
Risk Management;
Decision Making;
Budgeting;
Supermarkets;
Strategic Planning;
Demand and Consumers;
Marketing Strategy;
Food;
Resource Allocation;
Acquisition;
Product Development;
Retail Industry;
Food and Beverage Industry
Quelch, John A., and James T. Kindley. "Brannigan Foods: Strategic Marketing Planning." Harvard Business School Brief Case 913-545, January 2013.
- February 2013 (Revised June 2017)
- Case
Project Sun Devil and Project Paris
Tony Lee is preparing to present a project to the investment committee of Howard Street Capital. He will be recommending an investment in Project Sun Devil, a high-quality 225-unit student housing rental property near Tempe, Arizona. Tony Lee will compete for capital...
View Details
Keywords:
General Management;
Financial Analysis;
Return On Assets;
Accounting;
Performance Measurement;
Financial Ratios;
Return On Equity;
Financial Statements;
Profitability Analysis;
Portfolio Investment;
Portfolio Management;
Real Estate;
Property;
Investment Portfolio;
Investment Return;
Real Estate Industry;
United States
Lietz, Nori Gerardo. "Project Sun Devil and Project Paris." Harvard Business School Case 213-078, February 2013. (Revised June 2017.)
- Research Summary
Overview
By: Rob Markey
Most companies' leaders declare their commitment to delivering value to customers. Many have adopted language such as "customer-centric" or "customer-obsessed." Companies that consistently earn top marks for customer loyalty in their industry deliver total shareholder...
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- November 2011
- Case
Pacific Grove Spice Company
By: William E. Fruhan and Craig Stephenson
Pacific Grove Spice Company is a profitable, rapidly growing manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of quality spices and seasonings. The company's business model requires significant investment in accounts receivable, inventory, and fixed assets to support sales....
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Keywords:
Capital Expenditures;
Investments;
Acquisitions;
Securities Analysis;
Debt Securities;
Opportunities;
Cost of Capital;
Valuation;
Investment;
Capital Budgeting;
Business Model;
Cash Flow;
Financing and Loans;
Acquisition;
Retail Industry;
Food and Beverage Industry
Fruhan, William E., and Craig Stephenson. "Pacific Grove Spice Company." Harvard Business School Brief Case 114-366, November 2011.
- September 2008
- Teaching Note
Harrington Collection: Sizing Up the Active-Wear Market (Brief Case)
By: Richard S. Tedlow and Heather Beckham
- 2019
- Chapter
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
Return on invested capital (ROIC) is a financial measure of the profitability of a firm or business unit. If it is greater than the business's cost of capital, then reinvestment of earnings increases shareholder VALUE. The ROIC also determines a maximum self-sustaining...
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Keywords:
Capital Efficiency;
Dupont Analysis;
Financial Metrics;
Schumpeterian Competition;
Sustainable Growth;
Competitive Advantage;
Financial Strategy;
Resource Allocation;
Valuation;
Value Creation
Baldwin, Carliss Y. "Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)." In The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Strategic Management. Continuously updated edition, edited by Mie Augier and David J. Teece. Palgrave Macmillan, 2017. Electronic. (Pre-published, October 2013.)
- October 2014 (Revised October 2015)
- Case
Procter & Gamble, 2015
By: John R. Wells and Galen Danskin
On July 30, 2015, Procter & Gamble (P&G) announced headline double-digit earnings per share growth for the year ended June 30. A closer look at the numbers suggested a less healthy picture. Sales, volumes, and operating profits were down. Investors were not impressed;...
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Keywords:
Strategic Analysis;
Strategy;
Consumer Products;
Global;
Procter & Gamble;
Corporate Strategy;
Competition;
Consumer Products Industry
Wells, John R., and Galen Danskin. "Procter & Gamble, 2015." Harvard Business School Case 715-429, October 2014. (Revised October 2015.)
- May 2009 (Revised December 2009)
- Case
Reliance Baking Soda: Optimizing Promotional Spending
By: John A. Quelch and Heather Beckham
Reliance Baking Soda is Stewart Corporation's oldest and most established product. The new Domestic Brand Director needs to create a 2008 marketing budget that delivers a profit increase of 10% over 2007 levels. She must first evaluate the effectiveness of past...
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Keywords:
Communication Strategy;
Quantitative Analysis;
Consumer Marketing;
Marketing Planning;
Product Management;
Sales Promotions;
Program Budgeting;
Marketing Strategy;
Advertising;
Product Marketing;
Budgets and Budgeting;
Sales;
Consumer Products Industry
Quelch, John A., and Heather Beckham. "Reliance Baking Soda: Optimizing Promotional Spending." Harvard Business School Brief Case 094-127, May 2009. (Revised December 2009.)
- 2023
- Working Paper
Global Harms, Local Profits: How the Uneven Costs of Natural Disasters Affect Support for Green Political Platforms
By: Silvia Pianta and Paula Rettl
The emergence of green constituencies enables climate action. Conventional wisdom holds
that first-hand experience with natural disasters helps build green coalitions by increasing
the salience of the costs of environmental degradation. Focusing on fires in Brazil,...
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Keywords:
Climate Impact;
Politics;
Environmental Issues;
Environmental Protection;
Economic Analysis;
Economic Behavior;
Economic Geography;
Economy;
Economics;
Climate Change;
Environmental Management;
Political Elections;
Natural Disasters;
Green Technology;
Environmental Sustainability;
Latin America;
Brazil
Pianta, Silvia, and Paula Rettl. "Global Harms, Local Profits: How the Uneven Costs of Natural Disasters Affect Support for Green Political Platforms." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 24-023, September 2023.
- November 2017
- Teaching Note
Amazon.com, 2016
By: John R. Wells and Gabriel Ellsworth
Teaching Note for HBS No. 716-402.
On January 28, 2016, Amazon announced record 2015 operating profits of $2.2 billion on $107 billion of sales, and the markets responded with cautious optimism. For years, founder and CEO Jeffrey Bezos had prioritized growth and...
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Keywords:
Strategic Analysis;
Retail;
E-commerce;
Amazon;
Amazon.com;
AmazonFresh;
Jeff Bezos;
Cloud Computing;
Marketplaces;
Streaming;
E-reader Market;
Digital Media;
Mobile App;
Online Retail;
Shipping;
Database;
Tablet;
Kindle;
Kindle Fire;
Smartphone;
Delivery;
Market Platforms;
Two-Sided Platforms;
Competition;
Internet;
Corporate Strategy;
Online Advertising;
Business Growth and Maturation;
Business Model;
Business Organization;
For-Profit Firms;
Film Entertainment;
Games, Gaming, and Gambling;
Music Entertainment;
Television Entertainment;
Profit;
Revenue;
Global Strategy;
Multinational Firms and Management;
Taxation;
Business History;
Human Resources;
Resignation and Termination;
Books;
Human Capital;
Working Conditions;
Business or Company Management;
Goals and Objectives;
Growth and Development Strategy;
Growth Management;
Management Practices and Processes;
Industry Growth;
Industry Structures;
Media;
Distribution;
Distribution Channels;
Order Taking and Fulfillment;
Infrastructure;
Logistics;
Product Development;
Supply Chain;
Supply Chain Management;
Organizational Culture;
Public Ownership;
Work-Life Balance;
Problems and Challenges;
Labor and Management Relations;
Strategy;
Adaptation;
Business Strategy;
Competitive Strategy;
Diversification;
Expansion;
Integration;
Horizontal Integration;
Vertical Integration;
Hardware;
Information Technology;
Mobile Technology;
Online Technology;
Technology Networks;
Technology Platform;
Web;
Web Sites;
Price;
Software;
Marketing;
Marketing Strategy;
Working Capital;
Customer Focus and Relationships;
Customer Value and Value Chain;
Retail Industry;
Advertising Industry;
Distribution Industry;
Electronics Industry;
Entertainment and Recreation Industry;
Information Technology Industry;
Manufacturing Industry;
Motion Pictures and Video Industry;
Music Industry;
Publishing Industry;
Shipping Industry;
Technology Industry;
Video Game Industry;
Web Services Industry;
United States;
Washington (state, US);
Seattle
- August 2015 (Revised June 2021)
- Case
Amazon.com, 2021
By: John R. Wells, Benjamin Weinstock, Gabriel Ellsworth and Galen Danskin
In February 2021, Amazon announced 2020 operating profits of $22,899 million, up from $2,233 million in 2015, on sales of $386 billion, up from $107 billion five years earlier (see Exhibit 1). The shareholders expressed their satisfaction (see Exhibit 2), but not all...
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Keywords:
Strategic Analysis;
Retail;
E-commerce;
Amazon;
Internet;
Amazon.com;
AmazonFresh;
Jeff Bezos;
Cloud Computing;
Marketplaces;
Streaming;
E-reader Market;
Digital Media;
Mobile App;
Online Retail;
Shipping;
Database;
Tablet;
Kindle;
Kindle Fire;
Smartphone;
Delivery;
Digital Platforms;
Competition;
Internet and the Web;
Corporate Strategy;
Digital Marketing;
Business Growth and Maturation;
Business Model;
Business Organization;
For-Profit Firms;
Film Entertainment;
Games, Gaming, and Gambling;
Music Entertainment;
Television Entertainment;
Profit;
Revenue;
Global Strategy;
Multinational Firms and Management;
Taxation;
Business History;
Human Resources;
Resignation and Termination;
Books;
Human Capital;
Working Conditions;
Business or Company Management;
Goals and Objectives;
Growth and Development Strategy;
Growth Management;
Management Practices and Processes;
Industry Growth;
Industry Structures;
Media;
Distribution;
Distribution Channels;
Order Taking and Fulfillment;
Infrastructure;
Logistics;
Product Development;
Supply Chain;
Supply Chain Management;
Organizational Culture;
Public Ownership;
Work-Life Balance;
Problems and Challenges;
Labor and Management Relations;
Strategy;
Adaptation;
Business Strategy;
Competitive Strategy;
Diversification;
Expansion;
Integration;
Horizontal Integration;
Vertical Integration;
Information Infrastructure;
Information Technology;
Mobile and Wireless Technology;
Price;
Applications and Software;
Marketing;
Marketing Strategy;
Working Capital;
Customer Focus and Relationships;
Customer Value and Value Chain;
Retail Industry;
Advertising Industry;
Distribution Industry;
Electronics Industry;
Entertainment and Recreation Industry;
Information Technology Industry;
Manufacturing Industry;
Motion Pictures and Video Industry;
Music Industry;
Publishing Industry;
Shipping Industry;
Technology Industry;
Video Game Industry;
Web Services Industry;
United States;
Washington (state, US);
Seattle
Wells, John R., Benjamin Weinstock, Gabriel Ellsworth, and Galen Danskin. "Amazon.com, 2021." Harvard Business School Case 716-402, August 2015. (Revised June 2021.)
- January 2008
- Article
The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy
This article includes a one-page preview that quickly summarizes the key ideas and provides an overview of how the concepts work in practice along with suggestions for further reading. In 1979, a young associate professor at Harvard Business School published his first...
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Keywords:
Profit;
Five Forces Framework;
Industry Growth;
Industry Structures;
Business and Government Relations;
Competitive Strategy
Porter, Michael E. "The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy." Special Issue on HBS Centennial. Harvard Business Review 86, no. 1 (January 2008): 78–93.
- 14 Jun 2020
- News
Private equity barons grow rich on $230bn of performance fees
- December 1980 (Revised December 1984)
- Case
Hudepohl Brewing Co.
Presents the problem of how an established regional brewer can survive the onslaught of national breweries, some of which are being cross-subsidized by diversified parent companies. Requires detailed analysis of what operations are profitable and unprofitable for...
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Keywords:
Business Subsidiaries;
Profit;
Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques;
Industry Growth;
Private Ownership;
Problems and Challenges;
Competition;
Diversification
Salter, Malcolm S. "Hudepohl Brewing Co." Harvard Business School Case 381-092, December 1980. (Revised December 1984.)
- August 2016 (Revised December 2016)
- Module Note
Strategy Execution Module 2: Building a Successful Strategy
By: Robert Simons
This module reading describes the basics of building a successful strategy. Topics in this module include a discussion of the distinction between corporate and business strategy; how to conduct a SWOT analysis of market dynamics and internal capabilities; the use of...
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Keywords:
Management Control Systems;
Implementing Strategy;
Strategy Execution;
Business Strategy;
Five Forces;
Distinctive Capabilities;
Emergent Strategy;
Mission Statements;
Strategy;
SWOT Analysis;
Competitive Advantage
Simons, Robert. "Strategy Execution Module 2: Building a Successful Strategy." Harvard Business School Module Note 117-102, August 2016. (Revised December 2016.)