Note on Staffing in Professional Service Firms

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Background Note | HBS Case Collection | February 2003 (Revised April 2003)

Note on Staffing in Professional Service Firms

Abstract

This case discusses the problem of balancing demand and supply of professionals within a professional services firm (PSF). It emphasizes how human resources management policies impact supply conditions and how market opportunities determine demand conditions. The case identifies the levers that can be used to bring the demand and supply in balance.

Keywords: Demand and Consumers; Balance and Stability; Supply and Industry; Employees; Service Industry;

Format: Print

4 pages

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Citation:

Nanda, Ashish. "Note on Staffing in Professional Service Firms." Harvard Business School Background Note 903-110, February 2003. (Revised April 2003.)

About the Author

Ashish Nanda

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

Strategy

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Case | HBS Case Collection | March 2020 (Revised April 2020)

Wachtell Lipton: Focused Excellence

Ashish Nanda and Margaret Cross

For years, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz—a small, New York City law firm—has consistently boasted the highest profits per partner and one of the highest “prestige” ratings among U.S.-based law firms. The firm has remained loyal to a distinctive strategy ever since its founding in 1965. Whereas most law firms have multiple offices, seek long-term retainer relationships with clients, operate across multiple services, and bill by the hour, Wachtell Lipton operates from a single location, offers legal services on a matter-by-matter basis, focuses on transactional work (primarily M&A advisory), and value bills for its services. Despite its extraordinary success, as the legal services market evolves and the firm’s name partners, 87-year-old Herbert Wachtell and 88-year-old Marty Lipton, approach retirement, questions arise about whether Wachtell Lipton’s magic formula will continue to yield extraordinary results in coming years.

Keywords: Strategy; Law; Mergers and Acquisitions; Legal Services Industry; New York (city, NY);

Citation:
Nanda, Ashish, and Margaret Cross. "Wachtell Lipton: Focused Excellence." Harvard Business School Case 720-396, March 2020. (Revised April 2020.) View Details

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Module Note | April 2020

Crafting Strategy

Ashish Nanda

This note provides an introduction to crafting strategy following an options-led approach, and it prepares students to describe firm strategy with succinct strategy statements. The note also briefly outlines other approaches to crafting strategy.

Keywords: strategy formulation; Strategy;

Citation:
Nanda, Ashish. "Crafting Strategy." Harvard Business School Module Note 720-407, April 2020. View Details

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Case | HBS Case Collection | March 2020

Levi Strauss (A): A Pioneer Lost in the Wilderness

Joshua Margolis, Ashish Nanda, Margaret Cross, Imran Manji and Bismah Rahmat

In 2011, newly appointed CEO Chip Bergh needed to urgently turn around the iconic but floundering denim apparel firm, Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) Famous for its blue jeans, LS&Co. had suffered a decline in revenue of 29% from $6.8 billion in 1997 to $4.8 billion in 2011.
Bergh faced some urgent decisions. Should LS&Co. focus more on the wholesale channel or direct-to-consumer channel? What parts of its product mix should the firm emphasize? In which geographies should it invest? With only a short window of time in which to build momentum, Bergh knew that he needed to prioritize, given the firm’s limited resources.

Keywords: turnarounds; Transformation; Strategy; Decision Choices and Conditions; Decision Making; Strategic Planning; Apparel and Accessories Industry;

Citation:
Margolis, Joshua, Ashish Nanda, Margaret Cross, Imran Manji, and Bismah Rahmat. "Levi Strauss (A): A Pioneer Lost in the Wilderness." Harvard Business School Case 720-405, March 2020. View Details

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Note on Staffing in Professional Service Firms

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