Business Case Studies & Business Publications

When a Pandemic Hits: Treading H2O and t...

James, Erika Hayes...

Case

When a Pandemic Hits: Treading H2O and the Possible Pox (A)

James, Erika Hayes; Clifton, Jason; Yemen, Gerry

OB-0940 | Published January 18, 2007 | 4 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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This five-case series, sold as a package, presents an opportunity for students to understand that having the leadership mindset is not about going from crisis to crisis, but anticipating and shaping your organization. Through four case scenarios, students learn the need to recognize when there is a crisis situation, explore problems that often occur when issues are ignored, and take appropriate actions to remedy the situation. In the (A) case, students become a member of the senior executive team at Treading H2O Inc., a water-treatment equipment company located in the Midwestern United States, at a meeting to discuss a recently released World Health Organization (WHO) report. The statement announced that there was indication of human-to-human transmission of the Avian Flu in rural China near Shanghai. The company's regional sales manager sent information stating that the Chinese government had closed off access to the region—a key area for sales. On top of that, there are several Treading H2O employees in the same area. Students must determine what, if anything, needs to be done.