QUESTION 1. Assume Employee A (call him John) works for Company B, which is a high tech software company. John's position is head of product development and as part of his job he is exposed to a great deal of competitive and Company B data, including its competitive positioning in the market. Over time, while working for Company B, John recognizes that Company B is not providing the best solution to the market, and rather than sharing his thoughts with Company B, he decides to take his ideas, leave the company and start Company C. Over time, using the information he learned at Company B, John builds Company C into a major force in the market. As part of his growth, John hires away Company B employees.
Question - Is it ethical for John to leave Company B, and start Company C, when he learned of the new ideas to start Company C while being paid by Company B? Is it ethical for him to take employees with him? Explain your answer.
QUESTION 2. While working as a sales executive (for 2 years) for Company A, you met and sold new products to100 new and existing clients. After every time you met a client you sent a LinkedIn invitation to each of these people (individually and over time), many of whom accepted your invitation. It is also important to note that you signed a non-competition agreement with Company A, which states that you cannot communicate or solicit business from any Company A clients for a period of 5 years after your resignation or termination. Over time Company A is no longer a great place to work, and you decide to leave Company A to take a job at Company B. After you accept the job at Company B, all of Company A clients are notified via LinkedIn Updates that you changed jobs. This happens two months after you left Company A. Upon learning of your new job, many of Company A clients decide to leave Company A and go to Company B with you. You decide to do business with the clients that left Company A, and who are now seeking your services at Company B.
Is it ethical for you to service customers of Company A? Explain your answer.
QUESTION 3. During the semester we reviewed the market approach to business ethics, the market failure to business ethics and stakeholder theory. Which approach (if any) do you think makes the most sense and why? Explain your answer.
QUESTION 4. As part of Harvard Business Publishing and the course pack assigned to you, you were asked to purchase the case - "VEJA: SNEAKERS WITH A CONSCIENCE." NOTE: The case is on the Harvard Business Publishing website (see syllabus).
After reading this case, please answer the following questions:
1. In which key ways does Veja's business model differ from that of conventional fashion industry firms? What roles do those differences play in terms of partnership and acquisition?
2. How did the founders build the brand? Did they use any magic ingredients, or was it business as usual?
3. Provide your best estimate of Veja's worth? What considerations have you included in your valuation? (This is not a numeric exercise but rather an exercise to explain the areas of real value). Explain your answer.