Publications

December 1998
Supplement

Vermeer Technologies: Making Transitions

After being acquired by Microsoft, Vermeer Technologies executives discuss the process of integrating their team into Microsoft. View Details

Keywords: Integration; Acquisition; Information Technology Industry

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Timing - Christensen Center for Teaching & Learning

Ashish Nanda Professor Nanda often creates teaching plans as long as seven pages. Yet rarely do his classes adhere strictly to a plan. Here he discusses loosening the reins of... View Details

May 1997 (Revised July 1997)
Case

Vermeer Technologies (E): New Beginning

The Vermeer team is pleasantly surprised by the benefits and hospitality that their new surroundings offer. Their happiness is tempered, however, by discomfort with some elements of the "Microsoft Way." As the Vermeer engineers embark on a punishing schedule for the... View Details

Keywords: Performance Expectations; Horizontal Integration; Organizational Design; Organizational Culture; Product Development; Information Technology Industry

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Judging Success - Christensen Center for Teaching & Learning

to gauge success in the short term. Transcript What Makes a Great Class? Ashish Nanda How do I know if a case or class has been effective? Transcript Christensen Center Tip Sheets Characteristics of... View Details

October 2019 (Revised January 2020)
Case

NewView Capital and Venture Capital Secondaries

By: Shai Bernstein, Ramana Nanda and Allison Ciechanover

While still a general partner at Silicon Valley–based New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Ravi Viswanathan considered the challenges presented by evolving market dynamics in the venture capital space. Startups were staying private longer, which led to limited partners... View Details

Keywords: Venture Capital; Capital Markets; Private Equity; Strategy

January 2004 (Revised April 2004)
Case

Crisis and Response: Sexual Abuse Allegations in the Boston Archdiocese (B)

In 2002, the Boston archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church was confronted by public revelations of how allegations of clergy sexual abuse were handled by the archdiocese during the 1990s. This case describes how the Boston archdiocese addressed the issue over the... View Details

Keywords: Conflict of Interests; Crime and Corruption; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Religion; Crisis Management; Boston

January 2023 (Revised June 2024)
Case

Zaoui & Co. (A): Consigliere for High Stakes M&A Transactions

By: Ashish Nanda, Alex Kitsberg and Zack Kurtovich

In September 2019, Zaoui & Co.’s close-knit team of professionals convened for their annual off-site. In its nine years of operation, the boutique investment bank founded by the brothers Michael (HBS ’83) and Yoel Zaoui (Stanford GSB ’88), had garnered a track record... View Details

Keywords: Professional Service Firm; Entrepreneurship; Finance; Strategy; Investment Banking; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Growth and Development Strategy; Europe; United Kingdom

January 1999
Background Note

The Professional Pledge and Conflict of Interest

It is argued that professionals pledge fiduciary responsibility towards their clients to minimize the occurrence of conflicts of interest, which are socially inefficient. Professional associations are formed to ensure that in their practices, professionals live by... View Details

Keywords: Conflict of Interests; Ethics; Organizations

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Faculty & Research - Business & Environment

that when firms compete via supply functions, transferring high-cost capacity to the largest, most efficient firm—thereby diversifying its production technologies while increasing concentration—can lower prices by prompting the leader to... View Details

2014
Other Teaching and Training Material

Entrepreneurship Reading: Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures

By: William R. Kerr, Ramana Nanda and James McQuade

"Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures" introduces students to the key issues involved in the financing of entrepreneurial enterprises. The Reading begins by examining how business models shape external financing requirements. It then contrasts the choice to bootstrap... View Details

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Publications - Institute For Strategy And Competitiveness

activity-based costing to determine open radical cystectomy and ileal conduit surgical episode cost drivers by Janet Baack Kukreja, M.D., M.P.H.a,b, Mohamed A. Seif, M.D.a, Marissa W. Mery, M.D.c, James R. Incalcaterra, Ph.D.d, View Details

May 1997 (Revised October 2005)
Supplement

Ecolab, Inc. (G): Institutional Sales Conference

Supplements the (A) case. Includes excerpts from speeches by Ecolab president Al Schuman, CEO Sandy Grieve, and three senior sales executives, and highlights the camaraderie and goodwill among senior executives of Ecolab's Institutional Division. May be used in place... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Culture; Sales

May 1997 (Revised July 1997)
Case

Vermeer Technologies (C): Negotiating the Future

The success of the Vermeer software offering suddenly transforms the start-up into a sought after company. After arduous negotiations, Vermeer management is faced with the choice of continuing as an independent company or being acquired by Microsoft or Netscape. View Details

Keywords: Negotiation; Applications and Software; Decision Making; Acquisition; Business Startups; Business Strategy; Information Technology Industry

September 2017 (Revised March 2018)
Case

Chai Point: Disrupting Chai

By: Shikhar Ghosh, Ramana Nanda and Rachna Tahilyani

Chai Point is India’s largest organized chai retailer. It has missed its target for retail store openings by approximately 25%, goals that are very important to its investors who are also board members. However, it has developed an exciting new internet-based tea... View Details

February 1999
Case

PDVSA & Citgo (A): Seeking Stability in an Uncertain World

In order to secure demand for its heavy oil, PDVSA buys 50% of the U.S. refining and retail company Citgo. In 1990, it buys the remaining 50% ownership of Citgo. The case describes the challenges faced by PDVSA and Citgo managements as they try to make their... View Details

Keywords: Business or Company Management; Business Subsidiaries; Mergers and Acquisitions; Energy Sources; Mining Industry; Energy Industry

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October 2004 (Revised March 2006)
Background Note

Learning from Scandals: Responsibility of Professional Organizations

This case comments on the responsibility of professional organizations to respond openly to public accusations of wrongdoing by its members. It briefly relates the circumstances of the sexual abuse scandal in the Boston archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church and the... View Details

Keywords: Corporate Disclosure; Ethics

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Entrepreneurship - Faculty & Research

Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship Article Entrepreneurship as Experimentation By: William R. Kerr , Ramana Nanda and Matthew Rhodes-Kropf Entrepreneurship research is on the rise, but many questions about its fundamental nature still... View Details

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Engagement - Christensen Center for Teaching & Learning

to create natural debate. Transcript The Quiet Moments Ashish Nanda Teachers may be more comfortable when the class energy is high. Professor Nanda notes, however, that good... View Details

April 2003 (Revised November 2003)
Case

Tom Tierney's Reflections

The case writers began taking notes on Thomas (Tom) Tierney's life experiences and the lessons that he has derived from them based on his presentations at several Harvard Business School MBA and executive education seminars during 2000 through 2002. This was followed... View Details

Keywords: Personal Development and Career