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Little Short Stop: Creating Strategy for a Shifting Industry
Meredith Woodwark; Karin Schnarr; Gerry BesCase IVEY-9B20M076-EEntrepreneurship, StrategyIn early 2019, the general manager of Little Short Stop Stores, a chain of local, family-owned convenience stores in southwestern Ontario, Canada, was projecting a loss for that year. The loss was due in part to a provincial minimum wage increase to CA$14.00 that came into effect on January 1, 2018, increased from $11.60 in 2017 and $11.40 in 2016. Before this change, the store chain had been exceeding the average industry growth rate by 5 per ce...Starting at €8.20
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Eikon Device Inc.: Creating an International Strategy
Anthony GoerzenCase IVEY-9B13M089-EEntrepreneurship, StrategyEikon Device Ltd, a tattoo equipment and supplies firm, has to choose between several alternatives. Their core business is the production of tattoo needles and the power supply that makes tattoo machines operate, selling primarily into the United States and Canada. With increasing international demand however, should they consider establishing a distribution facility abroad? Alternatively, since much of their success is derived from catering to t...Starting at €8.20
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Able Translations: International Strategy at the Crossroads
Anthony GoerzenCase IVEY-9B15M009-EEntrepreneurship, StrategyThe founder of Toronto-based Able Translations has grown the company since 1990 from a single-man operation that did on-site interpreting to a firm of 100 staff in 2014. The firm provides a range of interpreting and translation services on three continents by more than 3,500 qualified language professionals in more than 100 languages. Although an industry leader, the company faces both strong global competitors and a myriad of microbusinesses and...Starting at €8.20
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Fair Trade Jewellery Co.: Establishing an Ethical Global Value Chain
Anthony Goerzen; Luke FiskeCase IVEY-9B20M139-EEntrepreneurship, StrategyIn August 2019, Fair Trade Jewellery Co., a mid-size jewellery retailer based in Toronto, Canada, was wondering how to ensure that its customers received responsibly sourced gold and diamond jewellery. The company had already devoted considerable amountsStarting at €8.20
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Sobey's Inc: A Strategic Approach to Sustainable Seafood Supply
Anthony GoerzenCase IVEY-9B13M118-EStrategyBy 2013, Sobey’s Inc., one of Canada`s largest food retailers, had initiated a number of programs in order to reduce its environmental footprint and to try to meet the public’s expectations that business would address such sustainability issues as waste management, genetically modified products and food safety. At the top of Sobey’s agenda was to develop a sustainable seafood strategy. While data collection, metric selection, employee incentives ...Starting at €8.20
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Sawchyn Guitars: Can an Old Business Learn New Tricks
Meredith Woodwark; Matthew WongCase IVEY-9B13M084-EEntrepreneurship, StrategyAWARD WINNING CASE - Laurier School of Business and Economics Best Case Award 2013. The owner of Sawchyn Guitars makes fine handmade acoustic guitars and mandolins. After 40 years of operating from a two-storey backyard garage, he contemplates a shift from a solely custom-order business to a storefront location. Although his custom-order business is still strong, the owner sees the opportunity to realize his dream of providing a full-service musi...Starting at €8.20
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United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue
Anthony Goerzen; Luke FiskeCase IVEY-9B16M065-EStrategyIn June 2012, the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington chapter of the United Way had the opportunity to present its views at an upcoming public forum on a proposal to build a casino in Kingston, Ontario. The possibility of a casino in Kingston was a controversial and emotional topic; it was supported by influential business and government leaders but also had many detractors. Pro-casino advocates said a casino would create jobs, spur local ...Starting at €8.20
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Somebody Stop the Radio Star: Jian Ghomeshi at the CBC
Karen MacMillan; Meredith WoodwarkCase IVEY-9B16C008-ELeadership and People ManagementIn 2012, the executive producer of the hit radio show Q and the director of Network Radio at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) faced employees’ complaints against the show’s star host, Jian Ghomeshi. The employees alleged that Ghomeshi’s treatment of employees was problematic and contrary to the corporation’s values and policies. A few years earlier, a female employee had also alleged mistreatment by Ghomeshi but no disciplinary action ...Starting at €8.20
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House, Hearth and Home: Managing Leadership Change
Karen MacMillan; Meredith WoodwarkCase IVEY-9B12C048-ELeadership and People ManagementThe owner and general manager of a large retail establishment faced a dilemma about whether his long-time yard manager was still the right person for the job. The business increasingly depended on providing superior customer service in order to compete in the market. Recently, the owner had placed a personal friend in the operation as an assistant to the yard manager. This new addition had shown a real talent for developing employees and driving ...Starting at €8.20
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Social Focus Consulting: Evaluating its Long-Term Feasibility
John Paul de Silva; Anthony GoerzenCase IVEY-9B18M104-EEntrepreneurship, StrategySince the founding of Ontario-based Social Focus Consulting (SFC) in 2011, its founder had led a team of over 100 members to work on more than 30 projects for over 30 non-profit organization (NPO) clients from London to Ottawa. SFC’s competitive market included NPO consulting firms that were more established, larger, or offered pro bono services. SFC set itself apart by exclusively hiring undergraduate and graduate students. The organization spec...Starting at €8.20