

My post-graduation focus is on growing and selling a high-growth business with broader equity ownership (approximately 50 percent worker owned). How do you see yourself applying the lessons from this case in your future endeavors? In Managing Service Operations during my EC year with Professor Ryan Buell. These organizations achieve short-term financial success but long-term it results in hiring and retainment crises. These companies often use operating models that fail to meet the needs of the employee, whether that be because of unpredictable scheduling, zero cross-training, or unsustainable job design. The case was extremely important in highlighting why we should look deeply into businesses that employ frontline workers. It was fun to find a virtuous cycle within a business model that has nothing to do with the network effects of a tech platform. This led to increased profits, a re-investment in their workers, and higher employee retention when compared to competitors.

The model-which included elements like scheduling, cross-training, and optimal store layouts-freed up employees to create a better service experience for customers.

In the classroom we discussed an operating model that was carefully designed to alleviate burdens for frontline workers. The case features a CEO who is expanding his business to a new market and must decide what kind of growth strategy to pursue. He will be working to launch an employee-owned company with the goal of building wealth for a diverse and middle-skill workforce. We asked members of the MBA Class of 2023 about a case they read that made an impact on them, how the lessons will help them become leaders who make a difference, and more.įurman is a member of Section H. While all cases help broaden the perspectives of future leaders, students find some to be more meaningful than others.
KEY TAGS PROFESSIONAL
In the classroom, students discuss and debate potential solutions with fellow classmates, bringing their personal, cultural, and professional backgrounds to bear. Ranging in topics from finance to entertainment to sustainability, cases share the story of a business leader (the case protagonist) making a key decision in a difficult situation. How many cases do MBA students read over their two years at Harvard Business School (HBS)? 500.
