Case | HBS Case Collection | 2012 (Revised from original 2012 version)

Bonne Chance

by Jim Sharpe and John O. Whitney

Abstract

With a competitor nipping at his heels, his bank reluctantly covering his recent overdraft, Jacob Zimmerman is considering expanding his Midwestern retail jewelry business by bringing on the new Swatch watch line to augment his high end Rolex offerings. Only 14 weeks before year end, he is reviewing the timing of his cash flows and the impact that various promotion options will have on his ability to place the initial order for Swatch inventory and deal with this crisis.

Keywords: entrepreneurial management; entrepreneurship; entrepreneurs; financial crisis; crisis management; bank loan; entrepreneurial finance; turnarounds; negotiation; liquidation; Entrepreneurship; Retail Industry; Fashion Industry; United States;

Citation:

Sharpe, Jim, and John O. Whitney. "Bonne Chance." Harvard Business School Case 813-049, November 2012. (Revised from original August 2012 version.)