Darden University of Virginia (USA)
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ZS Associates: Sales Force Sizing
Spekman, Robert E.; Kumar, Sameer; Kalla, AryaCase DARDEN-M-0745-EMarketingThis case describes a consulting firm that is assisting a pharmaceutical company as it faces a strategic question regarding how to determine the size of its sales force. An Excel file containing two of the case exhibits is included and is available by contacting sales@dardenbusinesspublishing.com. A related Technical Note entitled "A Note on Sizing the Sales Force" (UVA-M-0746) is available that describes several approaches one could employ to si...Starting at €8.20
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Does TripSense Make Sense?
Farris, Paul W.; Skurnik, Ian; Zimmerman, AlanCase DARDEN-M-0757-EMarketingThis case prompts students to determine how Progressive Insurance can best assess the customer interest, technical feasibility, economic viability, and actuarial justification of TripSense, its usage-based pricing program.Starting at €8.20
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Progressive Insurance: Not Your Standard Insurance Story
Farris, Paul W.; Pfeifer, Phillip E.; Zimmerman, AlanCase DARDEN-M-0758-EMarketingProgressive Insurance, a leader in the automotive insurance market, has succeeded through innovation. This case describes the company’s strategies for differentiating its service through programs such as Immediate Response Vehicles and Express Quote. Through these programs and a series of creative advertising campaigns, Progressive has built a strong brand in a relatively short time.Starting at €8.20
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Managing Virtual Teams (A)
West, June A.; Kalla, Arya; Kumar, SameerCase DARDEN-BC-0210-EKnowledge and CommunicationKarl Henderson was a senior manager at Metrionic Systems, a Santa Clara, California-based provider of networking solutions. During his time there, he had worked on and managed various cross-functional teams. When he was given the opportunity to manage a team that was spread across five continents, Henderson was confident that with a little groundwork, he could manage perfectly and deliver on time as he had always done. Due to a recent increase in...Starting at €8.20
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Starbucks Corp.: Clouds in Your Coffee
Zimmerman, Alan; Weiss, Elliott N.Case DARDEN-OM-1328-EService and Operations ManagementThis case depicts the history of Starbucks Corporation, from its inception, in 1971, through 2007. The case highlights the conflict between large-scale efficiency and standardization versus providing customers with the "Starbucks Experience." As its consistent growth shows, Starbucks has managed this conflict skillfully, but as the company continues to expand, balancing these objectives becomes more difficult and complex.Starting at €8.20
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The Toyota Production System: “The Scent of the Cornered Ferret”
Zimmerman, Alan; Weiss, Elliott N.Case DARDEN-OM-1333-EService and Operations ManagementThis case provides a history of Toyota and describes the famed Toyota Production System (TPS). It follows the company from its founding, in 1933, up to 2007. The case can be used to introduce TPS as well as to discuss the factors necessary to sustain a corporate strategy through long periods of international growth.Starting at €8.20
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Six Sigma: A Basic Overview
Landel, Robert D.; Zimmerman, AlanTechnical Note DARDEN-OM-1339-EService and Operations ManagementIn the nearly 30 years since it was introduced, Six Sigma has evolved to mean different things in different circumstances and in different organizations, so that now it is difficult to identify a single, universally accepted definition. The purpose of this note is to provide a basic overview of Six Sigma by explaining its underlying principles and most commonly utilized methods while providing a brief review of its history. Finally, this note pro...Starting at €8.20
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We Can Hear You Now (B): Voice of the Customer Project at Crutchfield Corp.
Landel, Robert D.; Taylor, Laure; Zimmerman, AlanCase DARDEN-OM-1343-EService and Operations ManagementAppropriate for marketing and operations management courses. The director of customer service in an electronics catalog business has asked a Six Sigma Black Belt for assistance in evaluating several ideas to effectively obtain and analyze feedback from users of its customer service department. Students are asked to evaluate the design and findings from a previously run project focused on sales agent performance and then to recommend a Six Sigma p...Starting at €5.74
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Dell Computer: Back to the Future
Zimmerman, Alan; Weiss, Elliott N.Case DARDEN-OM-1325-EService and Operations ManagementThis case tells the story of Dell Computer Corporation, from its beginning, in 1983, through 2007. It describes the famous "Dell Way" process, which uses just-in-time inventory management and lean-production principles, together with direct sales and real-time information management. It also describes Dell's challenges: globalization, new technologies, and evolving market trends.Starting at €8.20
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A Note on Sizing the Sales Force
Spekman, Robert E.; Kumar, Sameer; Kalla, AryaTechnical Note DARDEN-M-0746-EMarketingThis note describes several approaches one could employ to size a sales force. It addresses the advantages of each approach as well as the weaknesses. The case entitled "Z Associates: Sizing the Sales Force" (UVA-M-0745) provides a real-world example of one company's attempt to select the correct approach, and includes a supplemental Excel file for students.Starting at €8.20