IKEA is the brainchild of the Swedish entrepreneur, Ingvar Kamprad. To its many admirers, IKEA is the cult-like furniture store featuring inexpensive products with minimalist European design. The main reason for the company’s striking world-wide success is its relentless focus on innovation – both in terms of products as well as processes.
From your own research, please answer any ONE of the following questions in 150 words from your perspective (make sure I know which one you are answering).
1. 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.
2. 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?
3. There’s an 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?
4. Would you want to manage an IKEA store? Why or why not?