Case Study: Rubbermaid Inc.

by: Kimberly Wylie

Table of Contents

Abstract 2

Problem Statement 3

Introduction 3

Situation Analysis 4

Recommended Plan of Action 6

Conclusion 8

Works Cited 8

Abstract

When one thinks of successful companies, Rubbermaid Inc. is one of them. They have appeared on Fortune magazine’s list of America’s most Admired Companies, multiple times (“Business teams”, 1997, p.1). The challenge the corporation was now having was how to incorporate their team strategy into their global development plans, while also encouraging their teams to “think and act like the entrepreneurs who gave birth to the company so many years ago” (p. 16)

Problem Statement:

When one thinks of successful companies, Rubbermaid Inc. is one of them. They have appeared on Fortune magazine’s list of America’s most Admired Companies, multiple times (“Business teams”, 1997, p.1). The challenge the corporation was now having was how to incorporate their team strategy into their global development plans, while also encouraging their teams to “think and act like the entrepreneurs who gave birth to the company so many years ago” (p. 16)

Introduction:

In today’s world, businesses are faced with a quickly changing, hyper-competitive environment. Technology has become so advanced that duplication of a popular product is almost guaranteed, with little barriers to entry. Organizations must focus on continuing innovation, and as such, remain flexible. They are forced to either adapt or be forgotten. Competitive advantages for today’s businesses are often fleeting, due to these factors. Even mature industries, and leaders of those mature industries that once dominated the marketplace, have to continue to innovate ahead of their competition or risk falling like Goliath to David. This is true of Rubbermaid Inc. as well. Although Rubbermaid is undeniable a leader in their industry, competition is such that obtaining a sustainable competitive advantage, merely by a single product or product line, is impossible. Competitors are able to simply mimic newly released Rubbermaid products a few short months after their introductions. In some instances, these imitators can even offer the products at competitive, if not lower, pricing, despite not having the advantages of economies of scale that Rubbermaid has.

To garner the advantages of the nimbleness of small businesses, Rubbermaid has implemented business teams in each of its divisions. These cross-functional teams are made up of members, in a variety of positions, in the division. One or more members of the division’s operating team then oversee them. The business teams meet with the full operating team monthly to ensure that their progress is inline with the division’s goals.

[...]