Mattel – Ruth Handler Innovating Mattel and Barbie & Sustaining Innovation Leadership in Mattels Toy WorldEssay Preview: Mattel – Ruth Handler Innovating Mattel and Barbie & Sustaining Innovation Leadership in Mattels Toy WorldReport this essayMATTELRuth Handler Innovating Mattel and Barbie & Sustaining Innovation Leadership in Mattels Toy WorldManagement of Supply Chain OperationsTable of ContentsExecutive Summary:The purpose of this case study is to explore the inner workings of Mattel, Inc., a leader in the toy industry. The topic is illustrated by looking at the following: critical strategic milestones, supply chain operations management issues, management and leadership of the firm, performance change over time, a detailed analysis of systems thinking, shareholder analysis, dynamic 4 forces, SWOT analysis, short/long-term recommendations, and expected results.
Sustainable and Business Success [CSE-C-1003X-0037X] The Sustainable and Business Success and Performance Committee was set up in February 2007 to provide advice and develop guidelines for firms to be sustainable, operational and well-managed in the production of a product by incorporating market research and business development approaches. The committee is responsible for providing advice, guidance and recommendations on the performance and sustainability of each firm. The committee may also assist with projects, services and processes related to sustainability and business administration. The committee can provide guidance, guidance and recommendations on various business objectives, product performance requirements, the cost to build the product and related costs, cost reduction of components and components, and cost savings of products. Committee members include: • – – – – – -Mattel founder Tom Acheson
“We have been fortunate to be able to help many partners in a new and exciting field. We believe these are key areas at which the business sector should be developed. However, it is worth considering that, as we develop new technology and technology solutions in the product development pipeline, the challenges presented by these new products, combined with the existing market, could lead to substantial disruption to our business. As investors around the world continue to invest in the successful and sustainable manufacture of consumer goods, we will need to invest heavily in a new field of business. By taking advantage of this new field of business, we hope to have the flexibility to pursue a new and innovative approach to this new sector.” – Thomas H. Sall (President) Mattel.org
“Markel and many other companies have been investing in product innovation since we first started the market for products in 1998.” – Mattel’s CEO, Mike Dutton
The Sustainable and Business Success and Performance Committee is made up of five members : Mattel President Tom Sall, Mattel CEO Josh Schleicher, Chairman Tim Lachman, President Andy Roesche, and a member of the Sustainable and Business Success and Performance Committee. The committee’s mandate is to ensure that innovative ideas get promoted and promoted rapidly. The committee is comprised of: – – – – – – – – – Mattel • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • – – – – – -Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • – – – – – Mattel •Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – -Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Jeff M. Anderson
Sustainable and Business Success [CSE-C-1003X-0037X] The Sustainable and Business Success and Performance Committee was set up in February 2007 to provide advice and develop guidelines for firms to be sustainable, operational and well-managed in the production of a product by incorporating market research and business development approaches. The committee is responsible for providing advice, guidance and recommendations on the performance and sustainability of each firm. The committee may also assist with projects, services and processes related to sustainability and business administration. The committee can provide guidance, guidance and recommendations on various business objectives, product performance requirements, the cost to build the product and related costs, cost reduction of components and components, and cost savings of products. Committee members include: • – – – – – -Mattel founder Tom Acheson“We have been fortunate to be able to help many partners in a new and exciting field. We believe these are key areas at which the business sector should be developed. However, it is worth considering that, as we develop new technology and technology solutions in the product development pipeline, the challenges presented by these new products, combined with the existing market, could lead to substantial disruption to our business. As investors around the world continue to invest in the successful and sustainable manufacture of consumer goods, we will need to invest heavily in a new field of business. By taking advantage of this new field of business, we hope to have the flexibility to pursue a new and innovative approach to this new sector.” – Thomas H. Sall (President) Mattel.org
“Markel and many other companies have been investing in product innovation since we first started the market for products in 1998.” – Mattel’s CEO, Mike Dutton
The Sustainable and Business Success and Performance Committee is made up of five members : Mattel President Tom Sall, Mattel CEO Josh Schleicher, Chairman Tim Lachman, President Andy Roesche, and a member of the Sustainable and Business Success and Performance Committee. The committee’s mandate is to ensure that innovative ideas get promoted and promoted rapidly. The committee is comprised of: – – – – – – – – – Mattel • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • – – – – – -Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • (Mattel) • – – – – – Mattel •Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – -Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • – – – – – – Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Mattel • Jeff M. Anderson
Secondary research was conducted to provide insight into Mattels supply chain management and update the case to the present. This research includes scholarly journals, interviews, Forbes, newspaper, and the Mattel website. The research provided many key findings.
First, Mattel faced internal struggles with multiple CEOs, all with different strategic methods. Jill Barad was a woman with a mission and ultimately put Mattel in a negative financial position through her many mergers and acquisitions. Second, Mattel outsourced all operations. Third, after the 2007 recall, Mattel moved all toy-prototype creations in-house to project their intellectual property and ensure safety before moving product overseas. Mattel also implemented checks and balances with their Chinese suppliers. Finally, Mattel continues to innovate with consumer trends as they have slowly expanded into digital and online as an extension of their physical toys.
In the short term, Mattel should maintain their cost and production expenses with Chinese manufacturers and expand digitally. Keeping costs in the supply chain low has been a key component to Mattels success. Now that Mattel has implemented regular audits the production quality has increased. Digital is another area where Mattel needs to enter in order to capitalize on trends and engage the youth.