Author Profile
Zimmerman, Alan
Does TripSense Make Sense?
Farris, Paul W. Skurnik, Ian Zimmerman, Alan
M-0757 | Published May 03, 2009 Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case prompts students to determine how Progressive Insurance can best assess the customer interest, technical feasibility, economic viability, and actuarial justification of TripSense, its usage-... Read More
Progressive Insurance: Not Your Standard Insurance Story
Farris, Paul W. Pfeifer, Phillip E. Zimmerman, Alan
M-0758 | Published April 14, 2008 | 10 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Progressive Insurance, a leader in the automotive insurance market, has succeeded through innovation. This case describes the company's strategies for differentiating its service through programs such... Read More
Changing Channels: Progressive Insurance Drive Insurance
Farris, Paul W. Pfeifer, Phillip E. Zimmerman, Alan
M-0756 | Published April 14, 2008 | 5 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Sequel to Progressive Insurance: Not Your Standard Insurance Story. The company launches a new sub-brand, Drive Insurance, which will be only sold through independent agents, not through the Web or 1-... Read More
The Toyota Production System: "The Scent of the Cornered Ferret"
Zimmerman, Alan Weiss, Elliott N.
OM-1333 | Published February 11, 2008 | 20 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case provides a history of Toyota and describes the famed Toyota Production System (TPS). It follows the company from its founding, in 1933, up to 2007. The case can be used to introduce TPS as w... Read More
We Can Hear You Now (A): A Customer Survey Design for a Six Sigma Project at Crutchfield Corp.
Landel, Robert D. Taylor, Laure Zimmerman, Alan
OM-1340 | Published December 17, 2007 | 11 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Appropriate for marketing and operations management courses. The director of CS at a customer-focused catalog electronics company has asked a Six Sigma Black Belt for assistance in evaluating several ... Read More
Six Sigma: A Basic Overview
Landel, Robert D. Zimmerman, Alan
OM-1339 | Published December 10, 2007 | 10 pages Technical Note
Collection: Darden School of Business
In the nearly 30 years since it was introduced, Six Sigma has evolved to mean different things in different circumstances and in different organizations, so that now it is difficult to identify a sing... Read More
Dell Computer: Back to the Future
Zimmerman, Alan Weiss, Elliott N.
OM-1325 | Published February 11, 2007 | 18 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case tells the story of Dell Computer Corporation, from its beginning, in 1983, through 2007. It describes the famous "Dell Way" process, which uses just-in-time inventory management and lean-pro... Read More
Starbucks Corp.: Clouds in Your Coffee
Zimmerman, Alan Weiss, Elliott N.
OM-1328 | Published February 11, 2007 | 11 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case depicts the history of Starbucks Corporation, from its inception, in 1971, through 2007. The case highlights the conflict between large-scale efficiency and standardization versus providing ... Read More
We Can Hear You Now (B): Voice of the Customer Project at Crutchfield Corp.
Landel, Robert D. Taylor, Laure Zimmerman, Alan
OM-1343 | Published January 17, 2007 | 26 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
Appropriate for marketing and operations management courses. The director of customer service in an electronics catalog business has asked a Six Sigma Black Belt for assistance in evaluating several i... Read More
Big Sky, Inc.: The Magasco Paper Mill (A)
Horniman, Alexander B. Zimmerman, Alan Brake, F. B. Jr.
OB-0396 | Published March 11, 1992 | 12 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
What should managers do when old habits and customs interfere with progress? Magasco Paper Mill was once a state-of-the-art operation. But changes such as new equipment and the advent of unions have s... Read More
Big Sky, Inc.: The Magasco Paper Mill (B)
Horniman, Alexander B. Zimmerman, Alan Brake, F. B. Jr.
OB-0411 | Published March 11, 1991 | 25 pages Case
Collection: Darden School of Business
This case follows the A case (UVA-OB-0396), recounting the events that transformed a strike and transformed a tension-ridden workplace into a "world-class operation." The case outlines the issues at s... Read More