Mergers and acquisitions offer great potential for strategic growth through synergies and creating efficiencies in operations, market access, and effective management of human resources. In reality, most of these fail, causing destruction of value and financial loss. Often, it’s the lack of experience and sensitivity of executives and board members that lead to unfavorable outcomes.

Case A explores Goldman’s corporate strategy and growth, charting its history from when Marcus Goldman moved to the US and launched a commercial paper business in 1869. It follows the firm’s expansion in terms of its products/services, and its growth via acquisitions and alliances.

Case A explores Goldman’s corporate strategy and growth, charting its history from when Marcus Goldman moved to the US and launched a commercial paper business in 1869. It follows the firm’s expansion in terms of its products/services, and its growth via acquisitions and alliances.

The case examines the strategic rationale for the acquisition of The Body Shop – from the perspective of the buyer (Natura) and the seller (L’Oréal) – with an emphasis on the study strategic fit, synergies, and integration challenges.

At the BMW Group, Gregor Gimmy, a serial entrepreneur and former consultant, introduces the Venture Client (VCL) model to engage with start-ups and boost corporate innovation. The case discusses its initial success at BMW and the rationale that drove Gimmy to establish a new model of external corporate venturing (ECV).

At the BMW Group, Gregor Gimmy, a serial entrepreneur and former consultant, introduces the Venture Client (VCL) model to engage with start-ups and boost corporate innovation. The case discusses its initial success at BMW and the rationale that drove Gimmy to establish a new model of external corporate venturing (ECV).

The case first describes the evolution of Cisco Systems of San Jose, California, from a narrowly-focused routing and switching equipment vendor, with a highly effective competitive strategy, into a diversified networking and IT giant.

This case provides an update of Hero Group and Honda Motor Company’s strategies in the two-wheeler market in India following the break-up of their joint venture. It enables the reader to understand the capability building approach for each partner post-alliance dissolution and to reflect on the dynamics of relationships between two former allies turned rivals.

AMEC is a UK stock listed company, specialized in engineering services, and globally active. Between 2005 and 2010 it divested half of its business and doubled its value. Under pressure from the financial markets, AMEC needs to decide what to do next.

Bell Canada, a publicly listed Canadian telecom firm, receives takeover offers from LBO (leveraged buyout) firms. A strategic acquirer, Telus, is also potentially interested.