Engaging Business Case Study: Technological Disruption

A charming, small town book store begins to face its own mortality as it hires a consulting team (your students) to try to determine next steps. In this case study, your students become the consultants as they work to provide a path forward for the small business, who is considering a buy-out offer. Can "The Creased Page" turn their fortunes around, or are they better off selling and getting out?

"The Creased Page," an independent bookstore in a charming suburban town. Owned by Rodney Wheeler, a passionate book enthusiast who faced a heart attack a couple of years ago and is gradually returning to work. The bookstore has been experiencing declining sales due to increased competition and changes in consumer behavior. Customers that once bought a book a week now page through digital books from home. When an international coffee chain offers to buy "The Creased Page" completely for $520,000, potentially transforming it into a coffee shop, what should Rodney do? This is the question at the heart of the "Creased Page" case.

The case study includes:

• A full case study with relevant figures, story, and details

• Rationale for the decline of the business

• Profitability information and data

• A guide for you, the instructor

• A class presentation to follow along to

• A student work packet to track their group's work