CIMB Group transformed into a universal bank from 2005 to 2007, and restructuring had improved its efficiency. This brought significant improvements to its financial performance, with the group’s ROE increasing from 8.89% in 2005 to 20.05% in 2007, though the 2007 figure was partly the result of one-off gains. By 2014, however, the group’s ROE was back down to 9.2%. This was unusually low considering its ROE had ranged from 15% to 17% between 2009 and 2013. This was primarily due to the poor performance of the Indonesian subsidiary, CIMB Niaga, though the poor performance of the Malaysian wholesale banking operations was also a contributing factor. The Malaysian retail banking operations had, however, consistently increased their contribution to the group’s pre-tax profits. In February 2015 Zafrul Aziz was appointed CIMB Group CEO and executive director. The question was, should he focus on further growing the consumer banking operations? Or should he focus instead on improving efficiency and reducing costs in the consumer bank? What should his strategy be for wholesale banking, which seemed to have been on pause for the last few years?
The transformation of the CIMB Group (A)
Summary
By January 2008, CIMB Group had undergone a major transformation over a period of three years. The acquisition of Southern Bank had transformed it ...
Reference
IMD-7-1679
Copyright
©2015
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
CIMB
Industry
Finance and Insurance, Financial Services
Available Languages
English
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The transformation of the CIMB Group (B)
Summary
CIMB Group transformed into a universal bank from 2005 to 2007, and restructuring had improved its efficiency. This brought significant improvement...
Reference
IMD-7-1680
Copyright
©2015
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
CIMB
Industry
Finance and Insurance, Financial Services
Available Languages
English
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Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Business and Science - Partners for sustainability
Summary
Business sustainability can be promoted by reconciling corporate objectives with scientific insights.
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The business value of gamification: 5 tips for success and 2 pathways to failure
Summary
Gamification projects can result in very different outcomes, depending on which features are included – and which are left out. Here are five tips for success and two mistakes to avoid. Gamification projects can result in very different outcomes, ...
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The five types of negotiators: Understanding diverse negotiator styles
Summary
This note, designed for use in sessions and programs on negotiation, explores five distinct negotiator types: competitor, collaborator, strategist, innovator and problem solver. Each type has unique characteristics, strengths and weaknesses that come into play in negotiation scenarios. The competitor is assertive and results-focused, excelling in crises but potentially struggling with long-term relationships. The collaborator seeks win-win outcomes and thrives in complex negotiations. The strategist is analytical and methodical, focusing on long-term outcomes. The innovator is adaptable and creative, finding unique solutions in dynamic environments. The problem solver is practical and efficient, focusing on workable solutions. The note provides detailed profiles of each type, including their approach, assumptions, strengths and weaknesses, and it also makes recommendations for improvement. It offers guidance on identifying these types and suggests strategies for effectively negotiating with each one. A comparative analysis explores how the types differ in primary focus, approach to conflict, and risk tolerance. The framework builds upon previous negotiation models while offering a more comprehensive and actionable categorization. It also discusses cultural considerations in negotiation styles and includes a self-assessment tool to help readers identify their own negotiation style.
Reference
IMD-7-2596
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Available Languages
English
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Sheng Siong Supermarket in Singapore: A unique values-based advantage?
Summary
Founded by Lim Hock Chee in 1985, Sheng Siong has evolved from a humble grocery store into a leading supermarket chain in Singapore, renowned for its cost-effective pricing and commitment to customer satisfaction. Mr Lim’s unique philosophy, which emphasizes self-cultivation, perseverance and positivity, has been instrumental in shaping Sheng Siong’s culture and driving its success. Under his guidance, Sheng Siong has grown to over 74 stores, expanded into China and embraced digital innovation while staying true to its heartland roots. However, with evolving consumer behavior and increasing competition from online platforms, Sheng Siong faces new challenges. Can Mr Lim’s philosophy continue to inspire innovation and guide Sheng Siong toward sustained growth and success in the future?
Reference
IMD-7-2589
Copyright
©2025
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Sheng Siong Group
Industry
Consumer Services, Retail
Available Languages
English
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SURFing the TSUNAMI: A framework for assessing and adapting in turbulent times
Summary
This technical note introduces two powerful frameworks for navigating complex, rapidly changing business environments: TSUNAMI and SURF. The TSUNAMI framework provides a comprehensive tool for assessing external challenges across seven dimensions: technological disruption, socio-economic shifts, upheaval potential, network vulnerability, accelerating climate impacts, market transformation, and impact intensity. The SURF framework complements this by focusing on developing adaptive organizational capabilities: strategic thinking, unified ecosystem leadership, resilient organization and flexible tenacity. The note offers detailed explanations of each framework, practical assessment tools and guidance on their application. It serves as a standalone resource for leaders and organizations seeking to enhance their ability to thrive in turbulent times. Additionally, it provides the theoretical foundation for the GreenGro case series (A) and (B) (IMD-7-2627 and IMD-7-2628), which illustrates the practical application of these frameworks in a real-world scenario. Whether used independently or in conjunction with the GreenGro cases, this technical note equips readers with valuable tools for systematic analysis of complex business environments and development of adaptive organizational capabilities. It is designed to be relevant across various industries and applicable to different levels of management education, from advanced undergraduates to executive education participants.
Reference
IMD-7-2629
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Available Languages
English
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The ‘responsibility paradox’ in era of sharecropper capitalism
Summary
Many new businesses have emerged in recent years with few employees, no roots in the community, and heavily reliant on Big Tech for survival.
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Lessons from a legacy: Keeping business and family in balance to create a multigenerational enterprise
Summary
Bruce Grossman shares his family’s journey from mining to building Arca Continental, Latin America's second-largest Coca-Cola bottler, and their commitment to legacy and impact.
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Do you know how to navigate the authenticity paradox in leadership?
Summary
Balancing authenticity with workplace demands poses a challenge for leaders striving for integrity. How can you reconcile your true self with organizational expectations? Balancing authenticity with workplace demands poses a challenge for leaders ...
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GreenGro (A): Cultivating a future
Summary
The GreenGro (A) case explores the challenges faced by GreenGro, a mid-sized agricultural technology company, as it navigates a rapidly changing industry landscape. CEO Sarah Chen and her leadership team are confronting issues ranging from technological disruption and shifting customer demographics to climate change impacts and supply chain vulnerabilities. The case provides a rich context for applying the TSUNAMI framework to diagnose multifaceted challenges and the SURF framework to develop critical organizational capabilities. These two frameworks are summarized in a technical note: “Surfing the TSUNAMI: A framework for assessing and adapting in turbulent times” (IMD-7-2629). The case presents students with the opportunity to analyze complex business situations, develop strategic responses and understand the interconnected nature of external challenges and internal adaptive capabilities. A follow-up case, “GreenGro (B): SURFing the TSUNAMI” (IMD-7-2628), is available to showcase how the company applied these frameworks to navigate its challenges. It provides students with insights into the practical application of the TSUNAMI and SURF frameworks in a real-world scenario.
Reference
IMD-7-2627
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
GreenGro (Fictionalized)
Available Languages
English
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GreenGro (B): SURFing the TSUNAMI
Summary
The GreenGro (B) case study is a follow-up to GreenGro (A) and details how the company applied the TSUNAMI and SURF frameworks to address its complex challenges. The case illustrates the practical implementation of these frameworks, introduced in the technical note “Surfing the TSUNAMI: A framework for assessing and adapting in turbulent times” (IMD-7-2629). The case details how GreenGro's leadership team systematically analyzed their external environment using the TSUNAMI framework, identifying key challenges in areas such as technological disruption, socio-economic shifts and climate impacts. It then showcases how the company focused on developing its internal adaptive capabilities using the SURF framework, focusing on strategic thinking, unified ecosystem leadership, resilient organization and flexible tenacity. By presenting GreenGro’s strategic responses and the outcomes of its decisions, this case provides students with a real-world example of how organizations can navigate turbulent business environments. It offers insights into the process of translating framework-based analysis into actionable strategies and the challenges of implementing significant organizational changes.
Reference
IMD-7-2628
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
GreenGro (Fictionalized)
Available Languages
English
Contact
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