The co-founders of the custom bra company DOUBL were facing the dilemma of how to achieve all of the stand-out features they envisioned their product having. Notably, they were struggling to develop the custom fit they had dreamed of for their product and deciphering how to build it in the low-skill Canadian garment economy. The founders had to make a decision about whether to persevere with their dream product and brand positioning, or forfeit one .....more

Omoyemi Chukwurah, chief executive officer of Seams & Stitches Ltd., had optimized production through labor specialization and performance-based pay, alongside regular training initiatives. By 2023, however, she grew concerned that these systems hindered her production staff’s professional growth. Additionally, contract workforce structuring led to dissatisfaction among lower-grade employees who lacked the benefits enjoyed by higher-grade staff. .....more

Tongwei Co. Ltd., founded in 1995, initially focused on producing and selling aquaculture and livestock feed. In 2006, the company entered the photovoltaic (PV) new energy industry. Since then, it has consistently maintained leading production volumes in high-purity silicon and solar cell modules. Tongwei adopted a specialized, decentralized, and differentiated development model, concentrating on three key segments of the PV industry chain. In early .....more

For many decades, Toyota maintained its market position due to its primary focus on making its operations effective and efficient. The company revolutionized the industry’s operations. Several car manufacturers tried to imitate Toyota’s principles, yet they failed to achieve the desired results. Its low ranking on climate change and sustainability initiatives in the Greenpeace Automobile Environmental Guide raised an alarming situation for Toyota, .....more

In early 2023, Siddhartha Lal, managing director of Eicher Motors Limited (Eicher Motors), headquartered in Gurugram, India, grappled with a pressing issue. Over the past three years, Royal Enfield, a subsidiary of Eicher Motors renowned for its iconic motorcycles, had noticed a decline in its appeal to Generation Z customers. The Bullet brand, known for its ruggedness and timeless retro charm, was no longer resonating with this younger, digitally .....more

Independent luxury watchmaker Parmigiani Fleurier, founded in 1996 by master restorer Michel Parmigiani, was renowned for its craftsmanship, producing over 90 per cent of its watch components in house. Under the leadership of CEO Guido Terreni since 2021, the brand had focused on the Tonda PF collection and revived the Toric line, achieving profitability by 2023 with a fivefold increase in sales. However, the brand faced challenges amid a shifting .....more

Blue Star, based in Mumbai, was one of India’s leading multinational companies and manufacturers of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. It faced a key challenge to reduce the cost of compressors, a major component of air conditioners. Its supplier was Beijing Cooling Systems (BCS), one of the world's largest manufacturers of compressors. Blue Star’s need for cost reduction was pivotal to the negotiation, but BCS also had a position of .....more

In August 2021, the director of sales at Castrol India Limited (Castrol), headquartered in Mumbai, was concerned about how best to prepare the company for the future. Through the company’s strong distribution network and digitized tech stack, he and his sales team had ensured efficient dealings with its trade partners of distributors, retailers, and mechanics. After meeting with Castrol distributors, distributor sales representatives, distributor .....more

Goli Soda Sustainable Solutions Private Limited (Goli Soda) was a pioneering brand in India’s sustainable products market. Initially recognized for its eco-friendly ethos and innovative products in personal care, household utilities, and more, the company quickly garnered attention. However, despite over a decade of operation, Goli Soda struggled to achieve profitability and wide-scale recognition. The company’s struggles were compounded by several .....more

<p style = "color:rgb(197,183,131);"> <strong> HONOURABLE MENTION - 2024 John Molson Business Ownership Case Writing Competition </strong> </p><br>Sienci Labs (SL), led by chief executive officer Andy Lee, was contemplating the integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in SL’s operations following the company’s involvement in a research project carried out with business school faculty. Specializing .....more