CaseStudy.co.in» Business Strategy

Mergers & Acquisitions: Planning and Executing for Success

maddy — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 10:17:26 +0000

Mergers and acquisitions are always challenging, but today’s deals represent an altogether different breed.
When transactions move this quickly and the time for due diligence is compressed, risks multiply exponentially—tempting management to become inwardly focused at the precise moment they should be devoting even greater attention to their customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. With consumer trust and confidence eroding, a sophisticated customer retention strategy is vital. And while shareholders have high expectations for synergy realization, they are also looking for a strong capital base, making a clear divestiture agenda essential.
The right approach can help financial institutions reduce distractions, stay engaged with customers, improve the business model and fend off competitors while accelerating value capture from the deal.
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Lenovo’s Business Strategies

newuser — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:32:09 +0000

In recent years, the personal computer (PC) industry has been developing by leaps and bounds. Global sales of PCs totaled 230 million units in 2006, representing a 9 percent increase over the previous year. Lenovo has a product line that includes everything from servers and storage devices to printers, printer supplies, projectors, digital products, computing accessories, computing services and mobile handsets, all in addition to its primary PC business, which made up 96 percent of the company’s turnover as of the second quarter of 2007 … click here to read ahead

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Business Strategies : Kingfisher Airlines

newuser — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:54:42 +0000

Kingfisher Airlines launched its domestic air service operations in May 2005.KFA was promoted by UB group and offered a single class- “Kingfisher Class”. KFA successfully leverage the youthful and vibrant image of its kingfisher beer brand and called its airlines as ‘Funliners’ to emphasize the fun-filled experience. Within the first six months of its launch, KFA managed to corner a 6% market share in the domestic air travel mark.

KFA started its operation in May 7, 2005, positioning itself as a budget carrier and not as Low Cost Carrier (LCC).
Following strategies were followed to make it one of the leading Airlines in India.
… click here to read more on Business Strategies by Kingfisher

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Rapid Internationalization in Emerging Economies

maddy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:02:11 +0000

Extensive theoretical and empirical studies have been elaborated regarding internationalization with the analysis of different features. Investigations have just recently started to explore the firms from emerging economies that have significantly being internationalized. The main purpose of our study is to deepen the knowledge about the companies that internationalize rapidly and we highlight the potential factors that lead to early internationalization and/or continuously rapid internationalization, especially for firms from emerging economies. First, the definition of rapid internationalization is presented and discussed. Second, the driving forces leading a firm to internationalize rapidly are investigated. Specifically, a qualitative research is conducted with the use of a single case study: Suzlon Energy, an Indian company. The information is collected mainly through secondary data. After introducing the existing theoretical framework, we test how it can be applied to our company case. Finally, we develop our conceptual model from the confrontation between the case and existing theories. New findings emerge which complement the existing concepts that are mainly focused on firms from mature markets, early internationalization and outward internationalization.
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Outsourcing Can Do Much More Than Just Cut Costs

maddy — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:02:23 +0000

Companies that successfully create and sustain value year after year are rare. Many try to, but a recent study of 2,000 companies over 10 years by our consulting firm, Bain & Co., found that only one in 10 achieved sustained, profitable growth.
Outourcing and offshoring began as cost-cutting measures, but companies that create real sustained value routinely use them for far more strategic ends–to gain capabilities that they don’t have in-house, or to strengthen capabilities they do have. We have found that 85% of those winners use capability-sourcing broadly and strategically for everything from developing world-class talent to bringing new products to market faster and enabling business model innovation. In other words, they’ve moved way beyond mere cost-cutting.
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What Is Strategic Thinking?: Could It Really Be This Simple?

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:18:36 +0000

In business and in life, we sometimes relate strategic thinking to something very expensive or very clever. In reality, this is not the case! In the academic world, the word “Strategic” is certainly a word preserved for the gurus to use as they please, not to mention as a buzzword to attract the attention of the rich business leaders. A strategy is typically an idea, a style of thinking, which sets a course of action that promises a winning future position.
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SWOT and sustainable business planning: IKEA Model

maddy — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:45:54 +0000

IKEA is an internationally known home furnishing retailer. It has grown rapidly since it was founded in 1943. Today it is the world’s largest furniture retailer, recognised for its Scandinavian style. The majority of IKEA’s furniture is flat-pack, ready to be assembled by the consumer. This allows a reduction in costs and packaging. IKEA carries a range of 9,500 products, including home furniture and accessories. This wide range is available in all IKEA stores and customers can order much of the range online through IKEA’s website. There are 18 stores in the UK to date, the first of which opened in Warrington in 1987. In July 2009 IKEA opened a store in Dublin too – its first in Ireland.
Since it was founded IKEA has always had concern for people and the environment. The IKEA vision ‘to create a better everyday life for the many people’ puts this concern at the heart of the business. IKEA has responded to the public’s rising concern for sustainability in its choice of product range, suppliers, stores and communication. It has also spotted business potential in providing sustainable solutions. IKEA’s concern for people and the environment encourages it to make better use of both raw materials and energy. This keeps costs down and helps the company to reach its green targets and have an overall positive impact on the environment.
This case study will show why IKEA believes a strong environmental stance is good business practice.
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First Direct: Using customer service to position a business

maddy — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:29:25 +0000

Customer service is more important for businesses that provide services rather than physical products. In fact it is often good customer service that wins and keeps customers in the first place. Many service industries provide essentially similar products. For example, all hotels provide accommodation and most offer food as well. All banks offer customers current and savings accounts. It can be difficult to differentiate between service products. They have intangible qualities. This is why it is important to ensure that customers have a good experience.
first direct is a division of the HSBC Bank. It provides a range of banking services, offering customers products such as current accounts, credit cards, savings accounts, insurance and loans. What is different is that first direct does not have a branch network.
This case study shows how the online bank first direct positions itself in the retail banking sector. It illustrates how customer service has become a key factor in helping the bank to differentiate its offer to customers in a competitive market.
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Managing firms throughout the business cycle: The Davis Way!

maddy — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:29:55 +0000

The first decade of the 21st century has been a rollercoaster ride for economic activity. Business confidence was high at the start of the millennium. This was particularly fuelled by the growth of the internet as a means of buying and selling. A lot of companies have developed websites and there has been a rapid increase in online purchasing.
during 2008/9 the rapid growth of world markets came to a halt. Many of the problems stemmed from banks lending money to risky borrowers. When some of these failed to pay back this led to a rapid loss of confidence in the banking system. Banks became reluctant to lend.
The Davis Service Group provides textile maintenance services in the UK and Europe. This includes linen hire, work-wear rental, dust control mat, laundry and washroom services. The Group consists of two main operating companies each with its own directors and executive team.

These two operating companies delegate responsibility and authority to profit centres throughout the Group. Providing essential services enables the company to grow when economic activity is expanding in its various markets.
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CIMA: Enabling & Improving strategic decision making

maddy — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:25:44 +0000

Financial accountants keep records of business transactions such as sales invoices. They use these records to prepare a firm’s accounting statements. Management accountants evaluate and interpret this financial data to advise the senior managers in the business.
CIMA is the leading and largest professional body for management accountants with over 171,000 members and students operating at the heart of business in 165 countries. Its members work in financial and non-financial roles throughout organisations and carry out all their training and experience requirements in business itself. This provides them with a unique insight into how their organisations operate. CIMA’s mission is to be the first choice for employers in the qualification and development of management accountants.
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