Since its start in the mid-1990s, WestJet Airlines, a regional carrier, has had continued growth and success with its low-fare flights and exceptional service. It has maintained this success despite the entry of smaller airlines into the market, which were taking advantage of the disruption caused by the amalgamation of Air Canada and Canadian Airlines, and despite the industry challenges experienced after the events of September 11, 2001. The founders .....more

Steady growth and an aggressive new project are putting increasing pressures on a successful owner/manager and his management team. The business continues to perform well, however, and the manager and his people are reluctant to change their management approach. Under the circumstances, are any strategic or organizational changes justified? If so, what ones and when and how should they be implemented? This case may be used as an exercise in managing .....more

The business development manager for General Electric (GE) Canada, met with executives from GE Supply, a US-based distribution arm of GE. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss new business opportunities in energy management and efficiency. The business development manager had identified some opportunities for business development in Canada, while leveraging GE's strategic capabilities did not fit well with GE's corporate structure. He .....more

Teaching note for product 9B00M010.

Teaching note for product 9B00M017.

The Newell Company, a multi-billion dollar company dealing in hardware and home furnishings, office products and housewares, was contemplating a merger with Rubbermaid, a renowned manufacturer of plastic products. Newell had a remarkable record of success in growth by acquisition. Rubbermaid would mark a quantum step in this program, but equally, would pose a formidable challenge to Newell's capacity to integrate and strengthen acquisitions. Corporate .....more

The management team at WestJet was reviewing its growth plans in light of an anticipated merger of Air Canada and Canadian Airlines. The merger would result in a near monopoly of domestic air travel in Canada and a new set of opportunities and challenges for the handful of smaller airlines in the country. Under the circumstances, WestJet was considering whether it should shift from its focus of building on its success in Western Canada and expand .....more

Executives of the Laurentian Bank of Canada were reviewing their plans for the launch of B2B Trust - a new business that would become Canada's first Internet-enabled wholesaler of financial services and products. If they proceed, they would be making a major internal and external commitment to a new way of doing business. They wanted to be sure they had it right and that the introduction would go smoothly. During this review they needed to facilitate .....more

After acquiring Greyhound U.S., Laidlaw, Inc. became the principal provider of intercity transit in North America. Nine months later, the board of Laidlaw asked its CEO to resign, citing performance problems and the need to divest certain operations to strengthen its balance sheet. Laidlaw's attempts to enter and to consolidate selected transportation service industries are examined. Something has gone terribly wrong and the search for the reasons .....more

Provincial Papers is a very troubled manufacturer of coated paper located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The director and chairman of the board of Provincial Papers is being informally pressed to take on the CEO role. He is assessing the possibility of rescue in the face of depressed market prices, an over-supplied industry, departing personnel and money-losing operations. The (B) case, 9A99M017, presents the issues he faces when he decides to accept the .....more