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  • November 2012 (Revised September 2013)
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Learning Resources: A Hands-On Toy Company Deals with New Challenges and Opportunities

By: Boris Groysberg and Anahita Hashemi
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:29
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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; Innovation; Corporate Culture; Industry Analysis; Organizational Alignment; Entrepreneurs; 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, November 2012. (Revised September 2013.)
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About The Author

Boris Groysberg

Organizational Behavior
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Related Work

    • November 2012 (Revised September 2013)
    • Faculty Research

    Learning Resources: A Hands-On Toy Company Deals with New Challenges and Opportunities

    By: Boris Groysberg and Anahita Hashemi
Related Work
  • Learning Resources: A Hands-On Toy Company Deals with New Challenges and Opportunities By: Boris Groysberg and Anahita Hashemi
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