Abstract

The case explains the problems faced by Vodafone Group plc (Vodafone), a leading global mobile company in early 2006. It also discusses the position of Arun Sarin (Sarin), CEO Vodafone, after the announcement of 'impairment review' of the company's forecast in February 2006. The case narrates how Chris Gent (Gent), the former CEO of Vodafone, turned the company from a leading wireless operator in the UK to a mobile giant having a 'global footprint' through his expansion strategy. It further explains the problems faced by Vodafone during the early 2000s in its key markets such as Europe, Japan and the US. Finally, the case throws light on the new strategic direction that Sarin might adopt to improve the conditions of Vodafone.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Understand the strategies adopted by Vodafone to become a global company
• Understand the problems faced by global companies.

Keywords

Vodafone, Vodafone KK, Mobile telecommunications, Global footprint, Arun Sarin, Chris Gent, Verizon Wireless, Wireless operator, Impairment review, Expansion strategy, Mobile phones