Publications

24 Dec 2010
News

Selling Candy With a Conscience

October 1987 (Revised January 1989)
Background Note

Purchasing a Business: The Search Process

Describes the steps necessary to purchase a small to medium size company. Provides an eight-part analytical framework. Issues covered in the framework include the following: the self-assessment, deal criteria, deal sources, resources necessary to purchase a business,... View Details

Keywords: Acquisition; Framework; Resource Allocation; Negotiation Deal; Business Processes; Valuation

September 1985
Background Note

Pre-Start Analysis: A Framework for Thinking About Business Ventures

By: Howard H. Stevenson and John R. Van Slyke

Describes the thought process an entrepreneur should undergo before committing to a course of action. Covers understanding the opportunity--assessing the critical skills, resources, relationships, and approvals--developing an action plan; forming a business entity;... View Details

Keywords: Business Ventures; Entrepreneurship; Framework; Growth and Development Strategy; Management Skills; Resource Allocation

20 Apr 2021
Blog Post

Leadership In Challenging Times: Thierry Ibri (MBA 1997)

political climate. In this post, Thierry Ibri (MBA 1997) discusses his work as Chief Operations and Program Officer at Second Harvest Heartland and reflects on how his team adapted to the challenges of 2020 and delivered more than 105... View Details

Video

HBS Online Community Challenge 2020

December 2011 (Revised May 2016)
Case

Marine Harvest: Leading Salmon Aquaculture

By: David E. Bell and Ryan Johnson

Marine Harvest has the leading position in salmon aquaculture. Aquaculture is very much a growth business, many believing it could play a major role in solving the world's growing need for protein. The CEO is considering three alternatives for taking advantage of his... View Details

Keywords: Growth and Development Strategy; Competitive Advantage; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Food and Beverage Industry

June 2006
Case

AtHoc: Dealing With Disruption

By: Lynda M. Applegate and Brian DeLacey

Follows the growth of an entrepreneur from his early startup activities. As the company evolves from 1998 to 2005, looks at key decisions and turning points as AtHoc's strategy adapts in response to changing market environments, business opportunities, and customer... View Details

Keywords: Business Growth and Maturation; Disruptive Innovation; Corporate Entrepreneurship; Business Strategy; Venture Capital

Find at Harvard

April 1985 (Revised September 1986)
Case

CML Group, Inc.: Going Public (B)

By: William A. Sahlman

Contains a description of some issues confronting management of CML Group as the company progresses toward making an initial public offering. Among the issues and topics addressed in the case are: considerations in choosing an underwriting team, the initial public... View Details

Keywords: Business or Company Management; Initial Public Offering; Financial Markets; Financial Strategy; Planning; Cost vs Benefits; Strategy; Entrepreneurship; Consumer Products Industry; Retail Industry

December 2023
Case

Santa Elena: Table Grape Production in Chile’s Water-Challenged Regions

By: Forest Reinhardt, Jenyfeer Martinez Buitrago and Mariana Cal

In the fiscal year ending in September 2022, Santa Elena, Chile’s fifth-ranking table grape exporter, a grape producer and exporter since 1980, had exported around 3.5 million boxes (18-pound each). But, due to a 13-year-long drought that plagued table grape-growing... View Details

Keywords: Plant-Based Agribusiness; Climate Change; Environmental Regulation; Environmental Sustainability; Natural Resources; Food; Environmental Law; Problems and Challenges; Weather; Adaptation; Business Strategy; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Chile; South America; Latin America

Teaching Interest

The Entrepreneurial Manager (TEM)

This course addresses the issues faced by managers who wish to turn opportunity into viable organizations that create value, and empowers students to develop their own approaches, guidelines, and skills for being entrepreneurial managers.

The course teaches... View Details

Teaching Interest

The Entrepreneurial Manager (TEM)

By: Archie L. Jones

This course addresses the issues faced by managers who wish to turn opportunity into viable organizations that create value, and empowers students to develop their own approaches, guidelines and skills for being entrepreneurial managers.

This course teaches... View Details

December 2018
Case

Soybean Production in Argentina: The Duhau Group

By: José B. Alvarez and Mariana Cal

Crop-planning was affected by macroeconomic factors including international disputes, commodity prices, local tax, and agricultural policies, etc. Enrique and Alejandro Duhau, co-owners of the Duhau Group, analyzed these factors, as well as technical and financial... View Details

Keywords: Trade Negotiations; Soybeans; Production; Trading; Agribusiness; Decision Making; Plant-Based Agribusiness; Decision Choices and Conditions; Decisions; Economics; Macroeconomics; Goods and Commodities; Government and Politics; International Relations; Trade; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; South America; Argentina

Teaching Interest

The Entrepreneurial Manager

By: Martin A. Sinozich

This course addresses the issues faced by managers who wish to turn opportunity into viable organizations that create value, and empowers students to develop their own approaches, guidelines, and skills for being entrepreneurial managers.

The course teaches... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneur; Entrepreneurial Management; Entrepreneurial Financing; Entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurial Mindset; Entrepreneurial Journey

October 2000
Case

Tree Values

By: Richard S. Ruback and Kathleen Luchs

Describes two alternative tree cutting strategies. The first is to cut all trees that are at least 12 inches in diameter at breast height. The second is to thin the forest by cutting less desirable trees immediately and harvesting the crop trees later. The case... View Details

Keywords: Strategy; Decision Making; Cash Flow; Decision Choices and Conditions; Management Practices and Processes; Value Creation; Forestry Industry

November 2009 (Revised November 2010)
Case

SIPEF: Biological Assets at Fair Value under IAS 41

This case examines fair value accounting under lAS 41 for a European-listed agricultural firm. Students identify the firm's core operations, distinguishing the IFRS treatment for three distinct assets: land, agricultural assets that reside on the land, and inventory... View Details

Keywords: Business Earnings; Fair Value Accounting; Financial Reporting; International Accounting; Standards; Valuation; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Europe

March 1998 (Revised July 1998)
Case

Boston Duck Tours,1996: Has Boston Gone Quackers?

By: Myra M. Hart and Stephanie Dodson

While on vacation in Memphis, former investment manager Andy Wilson discovers a unique "tour bus" that travels over land and through water. He decides to transplant the concept to Boston and to add both historical and theatrical features to the amphibious tour. As he... View Details

Keywords: Opportunities; Creativity; Entrepreneurship; Financing and Loans; Problems and Challenges; Business Startups; Tourism Industry; Tennessee; Boston

December 2004 (Revised July 2005)
Case

Extend Fertility

By: Myra M. Hart and Sylvia Sensiper

Focuses on the search for opportunity, the generation and evaluation of business concepts, creation of a business plan, and the start-up process. Follows experienced entrepreneur Christy Jones as she combines her business skills and personal experience to generate new... View Details

Keywords: Opportunities; Business Plan; Entrepreneurship; Personal Development and Career; Social Issues; Gender; Business Startups; Biotechnology Industry

June 2018 (Revised April 2021)
Case

Valuing Snap After the IPO Quiet Period (A)

By: Marco Di Maggio, Benjamin C. Esty and Gregory Saldutte

Snap, the disappearing message app, went public at $17 per share on March 2, 2017, making its two 20-something founders the youngest self-made billionaires in the country. Over the next three weeks, 14 analysts made investment recommendations on Snap: two with buy... View Details