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Case
| HBS Case Collection
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2013
(Revised from original 2012 version)
Learning Resources: A Hands-On Toy Company Deals with New Challenges and Opportunities
by
Boris Groysberg and Anahita Hashemi
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Abstract
Learning Resources is a family-owned educational toy company that, by late 2011, was facing a myriad of challenges, including increased competition, entry into new markets, new distribution methods, rising costs of production in China, and changing customer behavior. The company lacked a clear strategy and suffered from organizational misalignment. Rick Woldenberg, the former CEO of Learning Resources, is called back to the helm after a four-year absence to address these issues, increase performance and set a direction for the company, all while remaining true to the values of his family's business.
Keywords: Leading teams;
strategy formulation;
strategy and execution;
change management;
innovation;
corporate culture;
family business;
industry analysis;
organizational alignment;
entrepreneurs;
Product design;
sales channels;
Leadership;
Strategy;
Change Management;
Innovation Leadership;
Family Business;
Entrepreneurship;
Product Design;
Sales;
Retail Industry;
United States;
Citation:
Groysberg, Boris, and Anahita Hashemi. "Learning Resources: A Hands-On Toy Company Deals with New Challenges and Opportunities." Harvard Business School Case 413-086, February 2013. (Revised from original November 2012 version.)