Case Studies


Recent Case Studies Articles

Case Study: How to Reinvent a Failing Start-up

By Lauren Bans |  May 5, 2009

Flocabulary burned through $50,000—and had nearly nothing to show for it. Was it time to throw in the towel?  Read more


Case Study: Skinner Baking Builds a Brand

By Jason Del Rey |  Apr 1, 2009

For years, a family bakery sold unbranded pastries to supermarkets. Should the owner now put his name on the box?  Read more


Case Study Update: To Buy or Not to Buy a Business?

By Patrick J. Sauer |  Oct 1, 2008

In Read more


Case Study: When a Guerrilla Marketing Campaign Backfires

By Michael Fitzgerald |  Jun 1, 2007

Sam Ewen sure got people talking. The police called his agency's marketing campaign "unconscionable." Was it time to get less edgy?.  Read more


Case Study: Gambling You Can Turn Around a Business

By Mark Lacter |  Feb 1, 2007

Micky McDonald ran Westbeach for 5 years. Then the company went bankrupt. Was it time to walk away--or buy it?  Read more


Case Study Update: Back in the U.S.A.

By Patrick J. Sauer |  Jul 1, 2006

In July 2004 , we told the story of Everdream, a desktop-management software company in Frem...  Read more


Case Study: Choosing to Compete with a Former Partner

By David Miller |  May 1, 2006

Was going head-to-head with the industry giant the best move?  Read more


Case Study: Hooked On Expansion

By Stephanie Clifford |  Mar 1, 2006

Marc Shuman was determined to expand fast. Then a quarter of his franchisees started to struggle. Was shutting them down the best solution?  Read more


Case Study: Was Outsourcing to India the Right Move?

By Darren Dahl |  Jan 1, 2006

With revenue flattening, David Galbenski needed a bold new plan.  Read more


Case Study: A Quota on Profit

By Catherine Curan |  Dec 1, 2005

Lafayette 148 had high hopes for its new Chinese factory. Then it encountered an unforeseen problem: trade restrictions.  Read more


Case Study: Turning a Product Fad into a Business

By Michelle Leder |  Feb 1, 2005

The Problem: Dwain Gullion hit a chord with his magnetic yellow ribbons. But can he turn a patriotic fad into a real business?  Read more


Case Study: Outsourcing Your Company's Help Desk

By Rod Kurtz |  Jul 1, 2004

The Problem: Angry customers. Language issues. Phone static. Maybe outsourcing the help desk wasn't such a great idea after all.  Read more


Case Study: Bringing an Innovative Product to Market

By Michelle Leder |  Jun 1, 2004

Biolife just may have invented a better bandage. The question is how to spread the word -- without breaking the bank.  Read more


Losing McDonald's

By Michelle Leder |  Mar 1, 2004

Inventor Hettie Herzog scored a major coup when McDonald's came calling. Then the fast-food giant bailed out, leaving Herzog with tough decisions to make.  Read more