Celeritas, Inc.: Leadership Challenges in a Fast-Growth Industry

Michael  Beer; Ingrid  Vargas

Case | HBS Case Collection | November 2011

Celeritas, Inc.: Leadership Challenges in a Fast-Growth Industry

by Michael Beer and Ingrid Vargas

Abstract

In 2011, Celeritas is a leading data communications company in the crowded, highly competitive, and ever-evolving enterprise-network optimization market. Having experienced rapid growth since its founding in 2003, Celeritas has recently seen sales decline and has begun to lose market share along with its status as the top player. The CEO, concerned about several problems that may have contributed to this decline, engages an organizational development consultant who leads the firm's senior vice presidents through a two-day offsite exercise in team building. A followup meeting with a lower level of management raises questions about the effectiveness of those efforts.

Keywords: communication; leadership; technology; morale; conflict; Organizational change; Team building; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Technology; Leadership; Communication; Groups and Teams; Attitudes; Conflict and Resolution; Information Technology Industry; Communications Industry;