Close
    HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to HomeStrategyback to Research & KnowledgePatrik Bernstein (B): Breathing againback to Strategy
    Case Study

    Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again

    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    3 pages
    October 2006
    Order this case study
    Reference: IMD-3-1612

    This case follows the IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein A: “From Suit to Jeans”. Bernstein has described that entrepreneurship for him as like falling in love. But it wouldn’t be an easy journey and after eight years of struggle to get Spotlight and later also Boblbee off the ground Bernstein is faced with a big decision. Was he the right man to continue to lead the company? Not only had he faced many disappointments and difficulties in the role of a CEO, but he had also faced many private hardships. He was mentally burned out and was not sure he could continue to lead Boblbee. But after all it was his dream…

    Keywords
    Career Choice
    Settings
    Sweden
    2003
    Type
    Field Research
    Copyright
    © 2006
    Available Languages
    English
    Related material
    Video
    Case clearing houses
    IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

    The Case Centre

    Cranfield University

    Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
    Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
    Email [email protected]

    Harvard Business School Publishing

    60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
    Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
    Fax (617) 783-7666
    Email [email protected]

    Asia Pacific Case Center

    NUCB Business School

    1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
    Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
    Tel +81 52 20 38 111
    Email [email protected]

    Copyright Information

    IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    This case study is part of a series
    • Boblbee (D): The urban backpack
    • Boblbee (E): Inventing the urban nomad
    • Patrik Bernstein (A): From suit to jeans
    • Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again
    • Patrik Bernstein (C): Back in his suit
    Related topics
    Strategy
    Family Business
    Browse all topics
    This case study is part of a series
    • Boblbee (D): The urban backpack
    • Boblbee (E): Inventing the urban nomad
    • Patrik Bernstein (A): From suit to jeans
    • Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again
    • Patrik Bernstein (C): Back in his suit
    Discover our latest research
    IMD's faculty and research teams publish articles, case studies, books and reports on a wide range of topics
    All case studies
    Boblbee (D): The urban backpack
    By Benoit F. Leleux Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1614 ©2006
    Summary
    This is the D-case in the Boblbee series. It requires an integrative analysis of an entrepreneurial opportunity born in Sweden in 1996. The case su...
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    Read more
    Reference IMD-3-1614
    Copyright ©2006
    Copyright owner IMD Copyright
    Available Languages English
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Strategy
    Browse all topics
    Related content
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (A): From suit to jeans

    At the age of 35 Patrik Bernstein, currently the marketing manager for Unilever’s skin division in Indonesia, starts to feel that something is miss...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1611, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again

    This case follows the IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein A: “From Suit to Jeans”. Bernstein has described that entrepreneurship for him as like falling in...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1612, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (C): Back in his suit

    This case follows the IMD-3-1612 Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again and IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein (A): From Suit to Jeans. In 2005, Bernstein ...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1613, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Boblbee (E): Inventing the urban nomad

    This is the follow up on the integrative case IMD-3-1614. It tells the story of what happened between the years 1998 end 2004 with Boblbee. Patrik ...

    Strategy
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    By Benoit F. Leleux, Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1615, © 2006
    Read more
    Boblbee (E): Inventing the urban nomad
    By Benoit F. Leleux Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1615 ©2006
    Summary
    This is the follow up on the integrative case IMD-3-1614. It tells the story of what happened between the years 1998 end 2004 with Boblbee. Patrik ...
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    Read more
    Reference IMD-3-1615
    Copyright ©2006
    Copyright owner IMD Copyright
    Available Languages English
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Strategy
    Browse all topics
    Related content
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (A): From suit to jeans

    At the age of 35 Patrik Bernstein, currently the marketing manager for Unilever’s skin division in Indonesia, starts to feel that something is miss...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1611, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again

    This case follows the IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein A: “From Suit to Jeans”. Bernstein has described that entrepreneurship for him as like falling in...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1612, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (C): Back in his suit

    This case follows the IMD-3-1612 Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again and IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein (A): From Suit to Jeans. In 2005, Bernstein ...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1613, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Boblbee (D): The urban backpack

    This is the D-case in the Boblbee series. It requires an integrative analysis of an entrepreneurial opportunity born in Sweden in 1996. The case su...

    Strategy
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    By Benoit F. Leleux, Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1614, © 2006
    Read more
    Patrik Bernstein (A): From suit to jeans
    By Joachim Schwass Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1611 ©2006
    Summary
    At the age of 35 Patrik Bernstein, currently the marketing manager for Unilever’s skin division in Indonesia, starts to feel that something is miss...
    Read more
    Reference IMD-3-1611
    Copyright ©2006
    Copyright owner IMD Copyright
    Available Languages English
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Strategy
    Family Business
    Browse all topics
    Related content
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again

    This case follows the IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein A: “From Suit to Jeans”. Bernstein has described that entrepreneurship for him as like falling in...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1612, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (C): Back in his suit

    This case follows the IMD-3-1612 Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again and IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein (A): From Suit to Jeans. In 2005, Bernstein ...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1613, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Boblbee (D): The urban backpack

    This is the D-case in the Boblbee series. It requires an integrative analysis of an entrepreneurial opportunity born in Sweden in 1996. The case su...

    Strategy
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    By Benoit F. Leleux, Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1614, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Boblbee (E): Inventing the urban nomad

    This is the follow up on the integrative case IMD-3-1614. It tells the story of what happened between the years 1998 end 2004 with Boblbee. Patrik ...

    Strategy
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    By Benoit F. Leleux, Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1615, © 2006
    Read more
    Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again
    By Joachim Schwass Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1612 ©2006
    Summary
    This case follows the IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein A: “From Suit to Jeans”. Bernstein has described that entrepreneurship for him as like falling in...
    Read more
    Reference IMD-3-1612
    Copyright ©2006
    Copyright owner IMD Copyright
    Available Languages English
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Strategy
    Family Business
    Browse all topics
    Related content
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (A): From suit to jeans

    At the age of 35 Patrik Bernstein, currently the marketing manager for Unilever’s skin division in Indonesia, starts to feel that something is miss...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1611, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (C): Back in his suit

    This case follows the IMD-3-1612 Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again and IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein (A): From Suit to Jeans. In 2005, Bernstein ...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1613, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Boblbee (D): The urban backpack

    This is the D-case in the Boblbee series. It requires an integrative analysis of an entrepreneurial opportunity born in Sweden in 1996. The case su...

    Strategy
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    By Benoit F. Leleux, Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1614, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Boblbee (E): Inventing the urban nomad

    This is the follow up on the integrative case IMD-3-1614. It tells the story of what happened between the years 1998 end 2004 with Boblbee. Patrik ...

    Strategy
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    By Benoit F. Leleux, Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1615, © 2006
    Read more
    Patrik Bernstein (C): Back in his suit
    By Joachim Schwass Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1613 ©2006
    Summary
    This case follows the IMD-3-1612 Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again and IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein (A): From Suit to Jeans. In 2005, Bernstein ...
    Read more
    Reference IMD-3-1613
    Copyright ©2006
    Copyright owner IMD Copyright
    Available Languages English
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Strategy
    Family Business
    Browse all topics
    Related content
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (A): From suit to jeans

    At the age of 35 Patrik Bernstein, currently the marketing manager for Unilever’s skin division in Indonesia, starts to feel that something is miss...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1611, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Patrik Bernstein (B): Breathing again

    This case follows the IMD-3-1611 Patrik Bernstein A: “From Suit to Jeans”. Bernstein has described that entrepreneurship for him as like falling in...

    Strategy Family Business
    By Joachim Schwass, Benoit F. Leleux and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1612, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Boblbee (D): The urban backpack

    This is the D-case in the Boblbee series. It requires an integrative analysis of an entrepreneurial opportunity born in Sweden in 1996. The case su...

    Strategy
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    By Benoit F. Leleux, Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1614, © 2006
    Read more
    Case Study
    Boblbee (E): Inventing the urban nomad

    This is the follow up on the integrative case IMD-3-1614. It tells the story of what happened between the years 1998 end 2004 with Boblbee. Patrik ...

    Strategy
    2006 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Entrepreneurship)
    By Benoit F. Leleux, Joachim Schwass and Anna Lindblom
    Case reference: IMD-3-1615, © 2006
    Read more
    Keep reading
    Article
    Annual prognoses and corporate strategy - 2025 Trends

    Why the market for new year predictions is broken and how executives can better use forecasts to discern the implications for their companies.

    Future Readiness Strategy
    By Simon J. Evenett
    in I by IMD
    Read more
    Article
    Why leaders don’t engage in strategic thinking

    Strategic thinking is key to success. Overcome common excuses and develop the skills to navigate change, drive innovation, and prepare for future business challenges.

    Leadership Strategy
    By Michael D. Watkins
    in I by IMD
    Read more
    Article
    How to get your kids engaged in the entrepreneurial family galaxy

    Family businesses hold a unique place in the economic and social landscape. They represent not just entrepreneurship but also heritage, values and a legacy passed down through generations.

    Family Business Organizational Behavior Entrepreneurship
    By Alfredo De Massis and Emanuela Rondi
    in Belfast Telegraph
    8 January 2025
    Read more
    Article
    Leadership 2025 - 5 Key Behaviors - Tania Lennon

    The increasing pace of disruption and change means leaders need to cultivate behaviors that support their sustained success. From building strategic flexibility to broadening stakeholder connections, here is our expert guide to leading in an age o...

    Leadership Disruption Strategy
    By Tania Lennon
    in I by IMD
    8 January 2025
    Read more
    Article
    How luxury brands can build strategic resilience in 2025

    Officially, brands executives continue to display confidence that big luxury will shrug off the 2024 downturn as a cyclical one. They see it as the product of the combined collapse of real estate prices in China and a return to normalcy after the ...

    Luxury Strategy Branding Innovation
    By Stéphane J. G. Girod
    in Forbes.com
    3 January 2025
    Read more
    Article
    The future of family businesses: Trends to watch in 2025 and beyond

    Family businesses have long been the backbone of the global economy, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and economic resilience. As we approach 2025 and beyond, family businesses must adapt to a range of emerging trends to stay ...

    Family Business Entrepreneurship Leadership
    By Alfredo De Massis and Emanuela Rondi
    in Maddyness
    30 December 2024
    Read more
    Article
    Is Cain more able? A behavioral perspective on the relationship between family CEO birth order and family firms' CSR

    We investigate family CEO birth order as an antecedent of family firms' CSR behavior. Despite psychology literature recognizing it as a key predictor of individual behavior, birth order has been largely neglected in management research. Drawing on...

    Family Business Social Innovation Leadership
    By Paola Rovelli, Michael Razen, Carlotta Benedetti, Nina Schweiger, Alfredo De Massis and Kurt Matzler
    in Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
    25 December 2024, ePub before print, https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1530
    Read more
    Article
    Here’s what we predicted for 2024… how did we do?

    Did our predictions for 2024 come true, a turbulent election year, bitcoin and CBDC, COP29 and electric cars, China, EU integration and Euro football

    Finance Future Readiness Geopolitics Strategy Sustainability
    By Robert Hooijberg, Arturo Bris, David Bach, José Parra Moyano, Michael R. Wade, Julia Binder, Howard H. Yu, Simon J. Evenett, Alyson Meister, Salvatore Cantale and Stefan Michel
    in I by IMD
    Read more
    Book Chapter
    The strategic imperative

    In a world where change is the only constant, the strategic imperative for sustainability is not just a theoretical construct – it’s a call to action. This section of the book delves into the core strategies that will enable businesses to thrive i...

    Business Transformation Innovation Strategy
    By Julia Katharina Binder and Knut Bjarne Haanaes
    in Binder, Julia Katharina (Ed.); Haanaes, Knut Bjarne (Ed.) / Leading the sustainable business transformation: A playbook from IMD, pp. 59-62 / Hoboken: Wiley, 2025
    Read more
    Book Chapter
    Framing the conversation

    In late 2020, as the world began to emerge from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wärtsilä, a Finnish corporation specializing in power systems, made a bold decision. Despite being a well-established company with a strong track record in...

    Strategy Leadership Disruption
    By Julia Katharina Binder and Knut Bjarne Haanaes
    in Binder, Julia Katharina (Ed.); Haanaes, Knut Bjarne (Ed.) / Leading the sustainable business transformation: A playbook from IMD, pp. 1-7 / Hoboken: Wiley, 2025
    Read more
    Annual prognoses and corporate strategy - 2025 Trends
    By Simon J. Evenett
    in I by IMD
    Summary
    Why the market for new year predictions is broken and how executives can better use forecasts to discern the implications for their companies.
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Future Readiness
    Strategy
    Browse all topics
    Why leaders don’t engage in strategic thinking
    By Michael D. Watkins
    in I by IMD
    Summary
    Strategic thinking is key to success. Overcome common excuses and develop the skills to navigate change, drive innovation, and prepare for future business challenges.
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Leadership
    Strategy
    Browse all topics
    How to get your kids engaged in the entrepreneurial family galaxy
    By Alfredo De Massis and Emanuela Rondi
    in Belfast Telegraph 8 January 2025
    Summary
    Family businesses hold a unique place in the economic and social landscape. They represent not just entrepreneurship but also heritage, values and a legacy passed down through generations.
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Family Business
    Organizational Behavior
    Entrepreneurship
    Browse all topics
    Leadership 2025 - 5 Key Behaviors - Tania Lennon
    By Tania Lennon
    in I by IMD 8 January 2025
    Summary
    The increasing pace of disruption and change means leaders need to cultivate behaviors that support their sustained success. From building strategic flexibility to broadening stakeholder connections, here is our expert guide to leading in an age o...
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Leadership
    Disruption
    Strategy
    Browse all topics
    How luxury brands can build strategic resilience in 2025
    By Stéphane J. G. Girod
    in Forbes.com 3 January 2025
    Summary
    Officially, brands executives continue to display confidence that big luxury will shrug off the 2024 downturn as a cyclical one. They see it as the product of the combined collapse of real estate prices in China and a return to normalcy after the ...
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Luxury
    Strategy
    Branding
    Innovation
    Browse all topics
    The future of family businesses: Trends to watch in 2025 and beyond
    By Alfredo De Massis and Emanuela Rondi
    in Maddyness 30 December 2024
    Summary
    Family businesses have long been the backbone of the global economy, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and economic resilience. As we approach 2025 and beyond, family businesses must adapt to a range of emerging trends to stay ...
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Family Business
    Entrepreneurship
    Leadership
    Browse all topics
    Is Cain more able? A behavioral perspective on the relationship between family CEO birth order and family firms' CSR
    By Paola Rovelli Michael Razen Carlotta Benedetti Nina Schweiger Alfredo De Massis and Kurt Matzler
    in Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal 25 December 2024, ePub before print, https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.1530
    Summary
    We investigate family CEO birth order as an antecedent of family firms' CSR behavior. Despite psychology literature recognizing it as a key predictor of individual behavior, birth order has been largely neglected in management research. Drawing on...
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Family Business
    Social Innovation
    Leadership
    Browse all topics
    Here’s what we predicted for 2024… how did we do?
    By Robert Hooijberg Arturo Bris David Bach José Parra Moyano Michael R. Wade Julia Binder Howard H. Yu Simon J. Evenett Alyson Meister Salvatore Cantale and Stefan Michel
    in I by IMD
    Summary
    Did our predictions for 2024 come true, a turbulent election year, bitcoin and CBDC, COP29 and electric cars, China, EU integration and Euro football
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Finance
    Future Readiness
    Geopolitics
    Strategy
    Sustainability
    Browse all topics
    The strategic imperative
    By Julia Katharina Binder and Knut Bjarne Haanaes
    in Binder, Julia Katharina (Ed.); Haanaes, Knut Bjarne (Ed.) / Leading the sustainable business transformation: A playbook from IMD, pp. 59-62 / Hoboken: Wiley, 2025
    Summary
    In a world where change is the only constant, the strategic imperative for sustainability is not just a theoretical construct – it’s a call to action. This section of the book delves into the core strategies that will enable businesses to thrive i...
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Business Transformation
    Innovation
    Strategy
    Browse all topics
    Framing the conversation
    By Julia Katharina Binder and Knut Bjarne Haanaes
    in Binder, Julia Katharina (Ed.); Haanaes, Knut Bjarne (Ed.) / Leading the sustainable business transformation: A playbook from IMD, pp. 1-7 / Hoboken: Wiley, 2025
    Summary
    In late 2020, as the world began to emerge from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wärtsilä, a Finnish corporation specializing in power systems, made a bold decision. Despite being a well-established company with a strong track record in...
    Read more
    Contact

    Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

    Related topics
    Strategy
    Leadership
    Disruption
    Browse all topics
    Related content
    Book
    Leading the sustainable business transformation A playbook from IMD

    Based on extensive research conducted in the past several years at the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland (IMD), Leading the Sustainable Business Transformation: A Playbook from IMD helps readers understand why susta...

    Business Transformation Sustainability Organizational Design
    Edited by Julia Katharina Binder and Knut Bjarne Haanaes
    Published by Wiley, © 2025
    Read more