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

In a fast-moving, increasingly competitive world, a firm's only enduring source of advantage is its knowledge. Managing that knowledge is therefore crucial, and this article offers suggestions on how leaders can meet that challenge effectively. The author describes a practical six-step process for making knowledge management work. The process he describes will interest CEOs and managers of global corporations as much as it will entrepreneurs of .....more

The CEO of the Sandvik Group is reviewing the initiatives he implemented to increase the synergies between the six disparate businesses of the Sandvik Group. Specific measures taken by Sandvik's management to increase the level of synergy between the businesses are outlined. In search for synergy, management has experienced many problems and challenges. The main challenge is how to avoid a re-centralization of power while at the same time encouraging .....more

As a follow-up to the Sandvik AB (A) case (9A98M012), the (B) case outlines the organization changes undertaken in the pursuit of synergies. Students can be asked to evaluate the magnitude and appropriateness of the changes and propose other ideas. The case allows for consideration of how the CEO of a large complex organization actually accomplishes strategic change.

The Saws and Tools division of Sandvik AB has developed a competence in ergonomic hand tools. Arguably, they are the world leader in this area. The division president hopes the Ergo strategy, coupled with selective acquisitions, will enable Sandvik to dominate the global market for professional hand tools. But after investing in this strategy for several years, it has produced, to date, mixed results. Many customers, particularly those in North America, .....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

Six months into the operation of the energy management business, GE Energy Management Initiative has lost a bid for a large contract. Its general manager learns that the division to which it reports is getting out of the energy management business because of a questionable strategic fit within the division, and a lack of results. The general manager wonders how to proceed. (This is a sequel to GE Energy Management Initiative (A).)

The newly appointed president and CEO of Wellington Insurance, a company without hope according to a recent consultant's report, is faced with the challenge of effecting a complete revitalization at Wellington when prospects for the industry and company look bleak. The case series Wellington Insurance (B) and Wellington Insurance (B1) (Condensed B Case) provides the opportunity to experience the full breadth of strategic analysis, from analyzing .....more

The Wellington (B) case takes the position of the new chief operating officer of Wellington. He is looking back on the successful turnaround achieved by Murray Wallace (this is described in Wellington Insurance (A)), and wondering how he can build on it. In particular, he is concerned about (a) whether the high-stress environment of change that Wallace generated can be sustained, and (b) whether he is in the position to take decisive action, bearing .....more

Murray Wallace has successfully turned around the fortunes of Wellington Insurance, in what has become known as "The Wellington Revolution". Paul Galaski has just taken over as Chief of Insurance Operations. He must decide whether to consolidate in the wake of the revolution, or to maintain a state of constant change.