This case examines the action that Biver took to transform Blancpain and Omega and how his broad vision ultimately transformed the entire watch industry. This case aims to help students examine how leaders enact industry-wide change and how a leader can inspire others to adopt a vision. Biver's life story asks students to analyze how his vision influences old and new values into an industry facing technological, environmental, and institutional change.

The Reemergence of the Swiss Watch Industry

Analysis of the Change Effort

1. Please describe the steps Biver took to turnaround Omega. A chronology may be useful.

2. What type of gap do you think Biver was trying to solve at Blancpain and Omega? Did Biver take a radical or incremental approach to transform Blanbcpain and Omega?

3. Describe the time and scope of the change at Blancpain and Omega.

4. Describe the competitive environment of the Watch industry in 1980s. How well did Biver's new strategy fit with Omega's structure and competitive environment?

Analysis of the Leadership

5. Where did Biver's vision come from? Is Biver a leader who just knows how to deliver an inspiring speech, or is he also a strategist who learned how to execute?

6. Why do you think people follow Biver? What has allowed him to sustain his leadership efforts?

7. Why were people accepting or resisting the change? What did he do to create buy-ins?

8. What are some of Biver's leadership skills that contribute to his success in implementing the change?

9. Do you think the change at Omega would be sustainable? Why or why not?