The 3M Company (C): Dynamic Balance for the 90s

In 1970 a 3M chemist, developed a new glue that was not very adhesive. Eventually, other 3M colleagues started using bookmarks made with the unsticky adhesive and were soon asking for more product “samples”. As usage quickly spread within the 3M Product Development Laboratory, it became clear that these unsticky notes were a very useful office product. The Post-it® Note was born.

Case Writers: Greg BLACKWOOD and Charles CHAN In the year 2000 Knowledge Dynamics is a three-year-old company that designs and delivers business intelligence systems to its customers in the banking and manufacturing sectors. Seeking to accelerate its growth the company is considering a large investment in software development in order to add licensing fees to its revenue model.

Stan Treanor took over the business from his father in 1976 and built sales from $23 million to $119 million by 1981. Then in 1981 the oil crunch hit West Texas and Stan managed the company as it shrunk back to $30 million in less than a year and a half - and made money doing it. The case examines how Stan accomplished this rather unusual feat and what he learned from managing in adversity.