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Case Study

Unilever Food Solutions journey (A): Taking on a new challenge

By Thomas W. Malnight and Tracey S. Keys

9 pages

March 2007

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Reference: IMD-3-1775

This case series follows the journey of Unilever Foodsolutions and its President Diego Bevilacqua over a 4 year journey to build a “formidable force in foodservice.” The A case begins in 2001 with the challenge of developing a new foodservice business model and organization, following Unilever’s acquisition of Bestfoods. Diego, the division’s new president, had made significant steps forward in agreeing a new organizational model, which carved foodservice out of Unilever’s Foods business, making it a separate but interdependent division. But implementation was proving difficult. It is clear that the new business needs a clear strategy.

Learning Objective

The case series is designed to introduce the concepts of strategy as a journey, and the need to engage a team/organization emotionally as well as intellectually in order to build commitment to a shared strategy. This underpins the must-win battle approach. It also highlights the need for leadership if the hurdles in the journey to transforming an organization are to be overcome.

Keywords

Top Team-building, Must-win Battles, Merger, Acquisition, Change, Food Services

Settings

Unilever
2001-2005

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

Related material

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This case study is part of a series

Unilever Food Solutions journey (A): Taking on a new challenge
Unilever Food Solutions journey (A1): The must-win battle event – starting the journey
Unilever Food Solutions journey (B): Reality sets in
Unilever Food Solutions journey (C): Rebuilding the team
Unilever Food Solutions journey (D): Progress and lessons learned

This case study is part of a series

Unilever Food Solutions journey (A): Taking on a new challenge
Unilever Food Solutions journey (A1): The must-win battle event – starting the journey
Unilever Food Solutions journey (B): Reality sets in
Unilever Food Solutions journey (C): Rebuilding the team
Unilever Food Solutions journey (D): Progress and lessons learned

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