GILLETTE & DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB CASE STUDY
Purpose
To explore what gave Gillette a competitive advantage for so long and how Dollar Shave Club used innovation to disrupt Gillette’s dominance. The case is on p. 474.
Instructions
Review the Gillette & Dollar Shave Club case and develop a comprehensive analysis of the company, the issues presented in the case, and possible strategies for Gillette to address the presented issues caused by DSC’s and Harry’s disruption of the wet shave market. Focus on Gillette and the period of 2012 to the present.
Process (see pp. 528-533 in the text):
Read the case study.
Identify the key players and critical facts.
Identify the key problems. Do not get sidetracked by symptoms that are part of the problem but not the problem itself.
Identify the goals of the parties in the case study.
Conduct a situational analysis.
Research the relevant companies beyond what is presented in the case study during the period of 2012 to the present. Your research should include going on their respective websites and seeing what they are doing now.
Review Ch. 5 and 7 in the textbook. Focus on Gillette’s market position in 2012 and why it was prone to disruption by DSC. Then focus on how they have countered each other since then and the impact that Harry’s has had on the market. Also consider the other players in the wet shave market.
Make the diagnosis (focus on Gillette)
What strategic concepts and tools would be helpful to resolve the issue?
What are the predicaments and problems for the company? Prioritize them. What do they need to deal with first?
Solutions (for Gillette)
Identify three possible solutions for the company. Be bold and creative (but realistic). Make sure you are addressing the problems and not just the symptoms. Don’t go for the easy answers.
What are the pros and cons of each solution?
Decide on one of the proposed solutions and explain your recommendation.
Identify and explain three actions steps to implement your recommendation.
Deliverables
Report: Prepare a report that details your analysis.
Structure
I. Introduction
II. Identify key players and critical facts.
III. Identify key problems and goals.
IV. Conduct a situational analysis.
V. Summary of key concepts from the textbook. Cite references (when using the textbook in the report, use the following format after using the source (Rothaermel, Chapter #, Short Chapter Title, section heading, p. #). An example is (Rothaermel, Ch. 8, Corporate Strategy, Types of Corporate Diversification, p. 287).
VI. Diagnosis
Identify and explain the strategic concepts applicable to the case.
Utilize any relevant tools.
What are the problems? Prioritize them.
VII. Solution
Identify three possible solutions with the pros and cons of each.
Decide on one of the proposed solutions.
Identify three actions steps to implement a solution.
VIII. Conclusion. What are you taking away from the exercise?
IX. References. What sources did you use (especially from the text but no need to cite the case itself)? Use APA formatting (see Resources on Module Page).
Grading
Case Summary (15%)
Research Quality (10%)
Research Analysis (15%)
Diagnosis (30%)
Solutions/Recommendation/Action Steps (30%)
