Subject category:
Marketing
Published by:
Stanford Business School
Version: 29 September 1997
Length: 19 pages
Data source: Field research
Abstract
David Bechhofer, a partner responsible for Bain & Co''s marketing strategy, faces a dilemma: Traditional marketing is foreign to Bain''s corporate culture (which is rather based on customer relationships), yet the firm cannot ignore traditional marketing tools if it wants to face global competition in the rapidly growing consulting industry. Indeed, all of Bain''s traditional competitors as well as a lot of new players use aggressive marketing to acquire new segments from the growing customer base. David has to respond to this challenge while staying consistent with the firm''s original value proposition, which is highly appreciated by its existing customers. The case provides an opportunity to discuss how to communicate a consistent global corporate image for a services firm whose ''raison d''etre'' is based on customer relationships.
Location:
Industry:
Size:
1,350 employees, USD450 million revenues
Other setting(s):
1980s to 1990s
About
Abstract
David Bechhofer, a partner responsible for Bain & Co''s marketing strategy, faces a dilemma: Traditional marketing is foreign to Bain''s corporate culture (which is rather based on customer relationships), yet the firm cannot ignore traditional marketing tools if it wants to face global competition in the rapidly growing consulting industry. Indeed, all of Bain''s traditional competitors as well as a lot of new players use aggressive marketing to acquire new segments from the growing customer base. David has to respond to this challenge while staying consistent with the firm''s original value proposition, which is highly appreciated by its existing customers. The case provides an opportunity to discuss how to communicate a consistent global corporate image for a services firm whose ''raison d''etre'' is based on customer relationships.
Settings
Location:
Industry:
Size:
1,350 employees, USD450 million revenues
Other setting(s):
1980s to 1990s