Group 6: Discussion: 11 Sept 2021

Items in Black = our discussion. Items in Red, updates from Class

Case 22 Robin Hood case study analysis questions:

1. What problems does Robin Hood have? What issues need to be addressed?

- Overstaffed, Insufficient capacity to sustain / Personal conflict with the Sheriff and his
administration / The band of merry men were growing too fast and there is lack of
discipline / Food capacity, Shortage of shelter / Proper training and governance /
The rich people were avoiding the forest

- Didn’t do long term planning

1. Do Robin Hood and the Merrymen need a new mission? new objectives? a new
strategy?

- Yes. As they are looking for new members, maybe a change in management. /
Prioritize the issues. / As the band of merry men grow, not all of them will have the
same goal as Robin Hood. Also, the scale is getting larger, so the merry men have to
expand their territory/reach beyond the forest.

- No. it does not break the fundamental belief of their initial objective. We need more
information to validate.

- They need a new mission. They need to revise the current strategy. / Why rob the
rich? You can partner with the rich. Alliance.

- Startup companies have founder. They seldom change their mission. Founder CEOs.
They have a profound belief of where they want to be. But the basic fundamentals
should be intact. Perhaps fin-tuning, but not radical change.

2. What strategic options does Robin Hood have? Is continuing with the present
strategy an option or is the present strategy obsolete?

- No, the present strategy needs to be improved upon. There has to be a process of
allowing people to join the band. They will also have to look at new sources of
revenue and (possibly) come up with a new motto. / Decentralization and
streamline. Very good leads (one in charge of finance, one in charge of HR etg) /
Looking at SWOT; Increasing size of the band / Operational process was actually
successful . Weakness / discipline/ some cracks here and there.

- Both proactive as well as reactive. Busines as usual as a strategy would not work.
Important to understand that they have to be sustainable. Reinvent the current
model. Do not cross the boundaries of moral integrity.

3. Why not try to end the campaign by killing the Sheriff?

- I would not solve the problem (stated) rather tarnish the band reputation. At the
moment they are doing something good. But killing would make them the villain. It’s
also likely that the next Sherriff will also be chasing down Robin Hood.
 - Another view: Do kill the sheriff. Catalyst for change.

- They should just stick to stealing. Not compromise / Biz model: Startup companies
have big goals. S1.99 stores. Very successful until they deviated from their original
mission (and added in different prices).

4. What are the pros and cons of accepting the offer of the barons to assist in
securing King Richard’s release from prison?

- Pros: Amnesty, strength in numbers / powerful backing

- Pro: Kind Richard will be able to help all the peasants. Shariff will not be in power.

- Cons: There is no guarantee that the king will be release. Robin would likely have to
contribute to the ransom.

5. What action plan would you recommend to Robin?

- Get a consensus driven / group view before starting on the journey. At least get buy-
in from the key people / stakeholder management

- Kill the Sherrif. Maybe.

- Layoff some people / form an alliance with the barrons. Talk with the merry men to
explain the thought process.

- Can we train the existing workforce to do other tasks? To utilize their time better.
Crowdsourcing. To help the poor, make it a mutually beneficial as well. Eg: get grains
from farmer, etc.

6. How should Robin implement the recommended plan? What action steps will need to be
taken to make the recommended strategy work successfully?

- Join the conspiracy

 “sometims the worst thing is not making the wrong decision but not making one.
focus group”
 Break down the bigger problem into smaller, tactical problem
 Remove ROB. “To rob the rich to feed the poor.”

Thompson, A et al (2022) Crafting and Executing Strategy: The Quest for Competitive
Advantage, Case Teaching Note pp, 715 – 725.