Case Notes/Answers
Grupo Bimbo by Jordan Siegel
Discussion Questions:
1. How would you propose to address the challenges that Grupo Bimbo faces in Brazil? Be
specific about which actions you would take and which problems those actions would solve.
2. How would you propose to address the challenges that Grupo Bimbo faces in the United
States? Be specific about which actions you would take and which problems those actions
would solve.
3. Should Grupo Bimbo be going to China? Why, or why not? If Grupo Bimbo continues its
expansion in China, what (if anything) would you change about their strategy there?
, 5-707-551
OCTOBER 10, 2008
TEACHING NOTE
Grupo Bimbo
Synopsis
Grupo Bimbo, a leading global player in the baking industry, has expanded into China while at
the same time undertaking initiatives to make its U.S. and South American operations more
profitable. The case allows students to analyze the company's entire global strategy. The case places
particular attention on how a multinational firm should best adapt to differences in basic institutions
of capitalism and differences in consumer preferences across as well as within countries.
Introduction
This case is designed for the MBA elective in global strategy at Harvard Business School, but it
could also be taught to introduce topics of global strategy in either a core strategy course or an
international marketing course. The teaching objective is to help students think about how they
might transform institutional impediments to global expansion of a business model that has worked
well in its home country.
Suggested Assignment Questions
1. How would you propose to address the challenges that Grupo Bimbo faces in Brazil? Be
specific about which actions you would take and which problems those actions would solve.
2. How would you propose to address the challenges that Grupo Bimbo faces in the United
States? Be specific about which actions you would take and which problems those actions
would solve.
3. Should Grupo Bimbo be going to China? Why, or why not? If Grupo Bimbo continues its
expansion in China, what (if anything) would you change about their strategy there?
Grupo Bimbo by Jordan Siegel
Discussion Questions:
1. How would you propose to address the challenges that Grupo Bimbo faces in Brazil? Be
specific about which actions you would take and which problems those actions would solve.
2. How would you propose to address the challenges that Grupo Bimbo faces in the United
States? Be specific about which actions you would take and which problems those actions
would solve.
3. Should Grupo Bimbo be going to China? Why, or why not? If Grupo Bimbo continues its
expansion in China, what (if anything) would you change about their strategy there?
, 5-707-551
OCTOBER 10, 2008
TEACHING NOTE
Grupo Bimbo
Synopsis
Grupo Bimbo, a leading global player in the baking industry, has expanded into China while at
the same time undertaking initiatives to make its U.S. and South American operations more
profitable. The case allows students to analyze the company's entire global strategy. The case places
particular attention on how a multinational firm should best adapt to differences in basic institutions
of capitalism and differences in consumer preferences across as well as within countries.
Introduction
This case is designed for the MBA elective in global strategy at Harvard Business School, but it
could also be taught to introduce topics of global strategy in either a core strategy course or an
international marketing course. The teaching objective is to help students think about how they
might transform institutional impediments to global expansion of a business model that has worked
well in its home country.
Suggested Assignment Questions
1. How would you propose to address the challenges that Grupo Bimbo faces in Brazil? Be
specific about which actions you would take and which problems those actions would solve.
2. How would you propose to address the challenges that Grupo Bimbo faces in the United
States? Be specific about which actions you would take and which problems those actions
would solve.
3. Should Grupo Bimbo be going to China? Why, or why not? If Grupo Bimbo continues its
expansion in China, what (if anything) would you change about their strategy there?
