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  • March 2017 (Revised November 2017)
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BlackRock (A): Selling the Systems? (with video links)

By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin and Kelly McNamara
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:10
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Abstract

As the case opens in 1999, several key leaders at BlackRock, Inc., then a relatively small asset management firm, are trying to convince CEO Larry Fink and others that the firm should begin to offer Aladdin—its proprietary analytics and trading platform—to other asset managers. While some members of the senior team see “selling our systems” as an opportunity, others liken it to “selling weapons to the enemy” or “giving away the crown jewels.” What should Fink do? The case provides an overview of the asset management industry, the beginnings of BlackRock, and details around the Aladdin platform. This case includes videos embedded in the text.

Keywords

Strategy; Competition; Information Technology; Asset Management; Competitive Strategy; Financial Services Industry; United States

Citation

Gulati, Ranjay, Jan W. Rivkin, and Kelly McNamara. "BlackRock (A): Selling the Systems? (with video links)." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Case 717-484, March 2017. (Revised November 2017.)
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About The Authors

Ranjay Gulati

Organizational Behavior
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Jan W. Rivkin

Strategy
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Related Work

    • April 2017 (Revised November 2017)
    • Faculty Research

    BlackRock (B): Acquire MLIM? (with video links)

    By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin, Stuart C. Gilson and Aldo Sesia
    • April 2017 (Revised November 2017)
    • Faculty Research

    BlackRock (C): Integrating BGI (with video links)

    By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin and Aldo Sesia
    • April 2017 (Revised November 2017)
    • Faculty Research

    BlackRock (D): Organizing for the Future (with video links)

    By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin and Aldo Sesia
    • March 2017 (Revised November 2017)
    • Faculty Research

    BlackRock (A): Selling the Systems? (with video links)

    By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin and Kelly McNamara
Related Work
  • BlackRock (B): Acquire MLIM? (with video links) By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin, Stuart C. Gilson and Aldo Sesia
  • BlackRock (C): Integrating BGI (with video links) By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin and Aldo Sesia
  • BlackRock (D): Organizing for the Future (with video links) By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin and Aldo Sesia
  • BlackRock (A): Selling the Systems? (with video links) By: Ranjay Gulati, Jan W. Rivkin and Kelly McNamara
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