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Case
| HBS Case Collection
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2000
(Revised from original 2000 version)
Jeanne Lewis at Staples, Inc. (A) (Abridged)
by
Linda A. Hill and Jennifer Suesse
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Abstract
Jeanne Lewis, after six years with Staples, Inc., is promoted to senior vice president of marketing. She is to work for fifteen months alongside her predecessor, a legacy in the organization, "learning the ropes" before he moves on. This case is set nine months after she begins working with the marketing department. At this time, Staples has just emerged from a period of prolonged litigation because of an FTC antitrust suit challenging Staples' attempted merger with Office Depot. Post-merger, Lewis must determine how the marketing department can most effectively and efficiently help the company maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly competitive and complex market. Looks at the challenges a middle manager faces "taking charge" and managing change in a revitalization situation in which a more evolutionary approach is appropriate.
Keywords: Problems and Challenges;
Change Management;
Organizational Change and Adaptation;
Marketing Strategy;
Management Succession;
Management Teams;
Management Style;
Marketing;