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  • August 2018 (Revised October 2019)
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C3.ai—Driven to Succeed

By: Robert Simons and George Gonzalez
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:22
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Abstract

CEO Tom Siebel navigates his artificial intelligence (ai) startup through a series of pivots, market expansions, and even an elephant attack to become a leading platform ad service provider. The case describes his unusual management approach emphasizing employee testing and selection, customer testing and selection, and a high degree of professionalism. This case is accompanied by an eight-segment video series (preview below) that shows Tom Siebel discussing his management philosophy. A link to access the videos in the classroom is provided on p. 2 of the Teaching Note.

Keywords

Strategy Execution; Performance Measurement; Critical Performance Variables; Strategic Boundaries; Internet Of Things; Artificial Intelligence; Software Development; Big Data; Machine Learning; Business Startups; Management Style; Business Strategy; Performance; Measurement and Metrics; Organizational Culture; AI and Machine Learning; Digital Transformation; Applications and Software; Digital Marketing; Analytics and Data Science; Technology Industry; United States; California

Citation

Simons, Robert, and George Gonzalez. "C3.ai—Driven to Succeed." Harvard Business School Case 119-004, August 2018. (Revised October 2019.)
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About The Author

Robert Simons

Accounting and Management
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Related Work

    • February 2019 (Revised March 2021)
    • Faculty Research

    C3.ai—Driven to Succeed

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    • April 2019
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    C3: Driven to Succeed

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    Selecting the Right Type of Employees

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    Selecting Customers that Will Succeed

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    Prioritizing Employees, Customers, Investors

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    • April 2019
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    • April 2019
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    Scaling the Business to Market Leadership

    By: Robert L. Simons
    • April 2019
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    Building Accountability for Results

    By: Robert L. Simons
    • April 2019
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    Changing the Nature of Work

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    • April 2019
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    Final Words of Advice

    By: Robert L. Simons
    • August 2018 (Revised October 2019)
    • Faculty Research

    C3.ai—Driven to Succeed

    By: Robert Simons and George Gonzalez
Related Work
  • C3.ai—Driven to Succeed By: Robert Simons
  • C3: Driven to Succeed By: Robert L. Simons
  • Selecting the Right Type of Employees By: Robert L. Simons
  • Selecting Customers that Will Succeed By: Robert L. Simons
  • Prioritizing Employees, Customers, Investors By: Robert L. Simons
  • Creating a Vibrant, High-Energy Culture By: Robert L. Simons
  • Scaling the Business to Market Leadership By: Robert L. Simons
  • Building Accountability for Results By: Robert L. Simons
  • Changing the Nature of Work By: Robert L. Simons
  • Final Words of Advice By: Robert L. Simons
  • C3.ai—Driven to Succeed By: Robert Simons and George Gonzalez
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