Publications

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November 1978
Teaching Note

Vermont Decision, Teaching Note

By: Michael Beer

Keywords: Decisions

April 2023 (Revised July 2023)
Case

Fermenting Accounting Problems at Vermont Kombucha Corp.

By: Tatiana Sandino and Marshal Herrmann

Founded in 2005, Vermont Kombucha Corp. (V-Ko) was an early mover in the fledgling U.S. market for kombucha, a drink brewed for its health benefits. Early on, the company captured more than 90% of market share. Under the leadership of its founder and CEO, Joe Williams,... View Details

Keywords: Going Public; Business Model; Financial Reporting; Ethics; Corporate Governance; Stock Shares; Food and Beverage Industry

October 2023
Teaching Note

Fermenting Accounting Problems at Vermont Kombucha Corp.

By: Tatiana Sandino and Marshal Herrmann

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 123-064. View Details

March 1998 (Revised December 1998)
Case

BCI Growth III: May 1993

By: Josh Lerner

A Vermont solid-waste company seeks mezzanine financing to finance its strategy of acquiring and consolidating local competitors. The mezzanine private equity group must decide whether this investment offers an attractive risk-return tradeoff. View Details

Keywords: Private Equity; Business Growth and Maturation; Consolidation; Wastes and Waste Processing; Acquisition; Service Industry; Vermont

April 2020 (Revised May 2021)
Case

Middlebury College: Energy2028

By: Brian Trelstad, Michael Norris and John McKinley

In 2018, Middlebury College’s board of trustees is considering a proposal called Energy2028 that would push the small, liberal arts and sciences college in Vermont to become a net zero carbon emitter, decrease energy usage by 25%, divest fossil fuels from its... View Details

Keywords: Divestment; Energy; Higher Education; Energy Conservation; Climate Change

May 2021
Teaching Plan

Middlebury College: Energy2028

By: Brian Trelstad and Michael Norris

Teaching Plan for HBS Case No. 320-029. In 2018, Middlebury College’s board of trustees is considering a proposal called Energy2028 that would push the small, liberal arts and sciences college in Vermont to become a net zero carbon emitter, decrease energy usage by... View Details

Keywords: Divestment; Energy; Higher Education; Energy Conservation; Climate Change

October 2013 (Revised February 2019)
Teaching Note

Red Hen Baking Company

By: Richard Ruback, Royce Yudkoff and Lisa Paige

The case explores the decision to expand in a small business setting. In 2007, the Red Hen Baking Company (RHB) was deciding whether to move from its cramped and inefficient Duxbury, Vermont facility to a new facility in nearby Middlesex, Vermont. It had been in... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Capital; Risk Management; Expansion

24 Oct 2023
HBS Case

From P.T. Barnum to Mary Kay: Lessons From 5 Leaders Who Changed the World

backroom of a Vermont saloon in 1898, Wilson was drawn to drinking after his parents divorced, leaving him with grandparents and a deep insecurity that he didn’t belong. Driven and charismatic, but falling down drunk much of the time, the... View Details

Keywords: by Avery Forman

August 2023 (Revised March 2024)
Case

Raya Partners: Profitability and Purpose

By: Arthur Segel, Ephraim Mernick and Olivia Barba

Raya Partners, a private equity firm, faces a crucial decision regarding Asa Specialty Coatings Company (ASCC). The dilemma involves shifting ASCC's manufacturing operations to Mexico, a move that would boost profitability and reduce emissions but result in significant... View Details

Keywords: Factories, Labs, and Plants; Communication Strategy; Private Equity; Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Mexico; Vermont

18 Sep 2017
Research & Ideas

'Likes' Lead to Nothing—and Other Hard-Learned Lessons of Social Media Marketing

target market and they don’t care if they alienate others.” “The challenge is to find the nugget of insight from this huge amount of data” Not every brand can get away with political messaging, however. John says a friend who sells artisan maple syrup in View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman; Advertising; Technology

November 1999 (Revised November 2003)
Case

Fresh Connections

Mary Alice McKenzie is facing numerous issues in growing her Vermont-based fresh-prepared foods business. She must address immediate operational problems--such as bottlenecks and capital equipment decisions--as well as decide on a long-term strategic position. This... View Details

Keywords: Business or Company Management; Production; Food and Beverage Industry; Vermont

October 2015
Case

The Maine Food Cluster Project

By: Karen Mills and Aldo Sesia

The Libra Foundation is exploring how to grow the food sector in Maine using the strategy of creating a food cluster initiative. Maine is one of the poorest states in the United States and the food sector is one of the largest employers. Multiple efforts in... View Details

Keywords: Development Economics; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Maine; Vermont; Oregon; Denmark

September 2018
Supplement

King Arthur Flour Video Supplements

By: Paul D. McKinnon and Michael Norris

These video supplements update the King Arthur Flour case on the latest news and events at the company. View Details

Keywords: B-Corp; Benefit Corp; Co-CEO; Food and Beverage Industry; Vermont

April 2018
Case

Bretton Woods and the Liberal World Order

By: Sophus A. Reinert and Jonathan Schlefer

Keywords: Bretton Woods; Gold Standard; IMF; Banking Industry; Vermont

29 Aug 2011
Research & Ideas

Decoding Insider Information and Other Secrets of Old School Chums

Vermont may not be that important to a senator in Kansas, where there are fewer forests," Cohen explains. "If they can do some kind of vote trading between them on that logging bill, then the Vermont senator... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel; Financial Services

April 1975 (Revised May 1993)
Case

New Hampshire-Vermont Hospitalization Service

By: Regina E. Herzlinger

Keywords: Health Industry; New Hampshire; Vermont

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September 2024
Supplement

Red Hen Baking Company (B)

By: Richard S. Ruback and Royce Yudkoff

Pre-abstract: Instructors should consider the timing of making videos available to students, as they may reveal key case details. Abstract: This (B) case supplement is designed for use by faculty only to support classroom instruction in conjunction with "Red Hen... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Financial Strategy; Financial Management; Buildings and Facilities; Finance; Food; Risk Management; Risk and Uncertainty; Food and Beverage Industry; United States; Vermont