Managing in Troubled Times Case Study

Managing Crises: Built to Last Companies

OR

Abstract:

Very historical in nature, this case study was written to analyse the companies which survived amidst various crises and the strategies adopted by these companies to survive a crisis. As history suggests, there have been several financial crises in the past. The latest to join the list is the US Financial Crisis of 2008.

While there was large scale economic devastation due to the financial crises, many companies managed to survive and succeed even amidst the crises. The case study identifies the companies which have been successful for a long period of time and have weathered the crises which they witnessed. It also analyses the factors which helped the companies in being successful. What was so special about these companies that they survived while others collapsed? How significant was leadership in the success of these organisations? Will the clues of the past hold relevance in the context of the present crisis?

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To understand various economic and financial crises during the last century and to develop a holistic perspective on those crises
• To examine the companies that have successfully weathered those crises and analyse the reasons for them to have faced those crises successfully
• To assess the role of leadership in managing the companies during those crises times
• To debate on the possible ways and means for managing the crisis arising out of US Financial Crisis.

Keywords : Built to Last, Good to Great, Managing Crisis, Managing Downturn, Great Depression, US Financial Crisis, Recession, Level 5 Leadership, BHAGs, Stock Market Crash, Oil Prices Shock, Jim Collins, S&P 500

Contents:

• Corporate History's Nightmares: Unintended Consequences
• Great Companies: Converting Adversity into Advantage
• Managing Crises: The Leadership Conundrums