Dana Merola June 19, 2015 Man2021

IKEA Case Study

1. You’re an IKEA store manager, and corporate headquarters has instructed you to change the layout of your store. The change must be “dramatic,” but the details are up to you. Wanting to make the most of the opportunity you intend to manage the project as planned change. What steps will you take to ensure that you’ll be successful?

2. There’s and IKEA TV ad that features a discarded lamp, forsaken on a rainy night in some American city. A man looks at the camera and says in a sympathetic Swedish accent, “Many of you feel bad for this lamp,” and then, after a well-timed pause, “That’s because you’re crazy.” What’s the message of the commercial?
Spike Jonze, the director of this commercial, is trying to convey that Americans are too attached to furniture and that is all right to throw something away, even if it works and replace it with new updated merchandise. It’s a campaign that says don’t be boring, be trendy and buy new ones. Spend your money because after all it doesn’t cost that much to be stylish. It’s Ikea Lamp or Red Lamp- The Inspiration Room. (2005, January 30). Retrieved June 19, 2015, from http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2005/idea-lamp/

3. One IKEA executive says that the current global economic situation has “pushed innovation” at the company. In fact, he says, “This is a great time to be more innovative.” Explain what he means.

4. Would you want to manage an IKEA store? Why or why not?