Even in severe economic downturns and recessions, some companies are able to gain advantage. In the past four downturns, 14% of large companies increased both their sales growth rate and their EBIT margin. A shock like the Covid-19 pandemic can produce lasting changes in customer behavior. To survive and thrive in a crisis, begin by examining how people are spending their time and money. Challenge traditional ideas and use data to actively seek out .....more

The Jill Draeger case is designed as an introduction to a general course on entrepreneurship. It is appropriate for many levels of students. It attempts to portray the archetype of opportunity-focused, resource-constrained behavior that is the hallmark of entrepreneurship. The case describes the career of Jill Draeger, an MBA with a background in the consumer electronics industry, principally smartphones. After a career hiatus, she has the idea of .....more

Spreadsheet supplement for case 920578.

In 2017, the general manager and head of business conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra Limited (M&M)''s largest factory in Igatpuri, Maharashtra, faced several challenges related to the company''s goal of achieving zero-waste-to-landfill certification from an environmental agency. Since the Mahindra Group''s chief executive officer had decided to focus on sustainability as a key to long-term growth, M&M had to find practical .....more

The case examines the focus of an early stage company, and how an unexpected external incidence can threaten or void the business model. It encompasses issues such as minimal viable product, defining and pivoting a business model, organizational requirements for a pivot, investor relations, disruptive business models, as well as business conduct in continental Europe. In 2017, Dr. Torben Antretter, a former competitive tennis player and academic researcher, .....more

In June 2019, a newly promoted branch manager of a bank in Davao City, Philippines, must recommend to the bank''s head office who among six loan applicants will obtain loans from the branch. She has received applications for 24 million in loans but can only grant 18 million. The branch manager needs to (a) decide how much to loan and to which customers, (b) find ways to retain valuable customers and acquire new ones, and (c) consider new avenues .....more

Liz O''Sullivan, an employee at a fast-growing technology company called Clarifi, had a moral dilemma: She disagreed with Clarifi''s decision to sell its image-recognition technology to the U.S. Department of Defense for possible use in weaponized drones. This case examines her career to this point and the potential ways in which she can address her concerns. The CEO has been receptive to her ideas, but there is little chance he will .....more

A young social entrepreneur must decide whether to stick with her struggling start-up--a tomato paste company based entirely in Nigeria--or go to work for an investment group that funds small businesses in Africa. Where would she have the most impact? This fictional case study by Sophus A. Reinert features expert commentary by Acha Leke and Mira Mehta. This HBR Case Study includes both the case and the commentary. For teaching purposes, this reprint .....more