Gain insights into the value chain of top battery minerals. Caterpillar's clients increasingly demand products which satisfy environmental factors, in additional to traditional productivity and cost factors, to align with those customers' Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. As noted in Caterpillar's Investor Day 2022 presentation, Caterpillar is actively working to adapt to these changing demands. One initiative related to this adapation is expanding knowledge about key inputs to battery development as compared to its history with internal combustion engines.The primary objective is to improve the knowledge of company leaders in the Resource Industries (mining) segment regarding the value chain for battery minerals. By doing so, we aim to improve their understanding in support better decision-making in development and implementation of future products to meet customers' needs.

As Solé Bicycles actively shifts its production to China to take advantage of manufacturing efficiencies, the potential for new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration creates an urgent need to reassess strategy. Increased tariffs could significantly raise costs, impact pricing, and disrupt supply chains. To maintain profitability and competitive pricing, Solé must explore ways to mitigate the impact of tariffs while optimizing its supply chain and production strategy.

This project will allow students to explore strategies for managing the complexities of international production, understanding tariff implications, and developing actionable recommendations to help Solé navigate this challenging environment.

True Religion, known for its high-quality jeans and iconic stitching, is headquartered in Gardena, CA. The company is embarking on a strategic initiative to grow its customer base and increase engagement through its True Rewards loyalty program. To succeed, True Religion needs to define its target audience and segment customers effectively, building tailored customer personas and designing a sales campaign that will drive membership and conversions.

The challenge lies in understanding the unique behaviors of its customers, differentiating itself from competitors in the fashion and retail space, and identifying white space opportunities to grow revenue through a more robust loyalty program. This case will task students with developing actionable strategies that foster customer loyalty and lifetime value (LTV).

For small and mid-sized specialty food brands, the ability to manage wholesale customer relationships is a crucial component of long-term business success. Retaining high-value wholesale clients, forecasting demand, and optimizing sales strategies are key drivers of growth in this competitive industry.

While Bread SRSLY has internal data and predictive analytics efforts underway, this case study challenges students to develop a framework for evaluating wholesale customer health, assessing revenue forecasting methodologies, and creating retention strategies that can be applied to the broader industry.

By examining real-world industry best practices, students will explore how specialty food companies can structure their wholesale analytics efforts without direct access to proprietary data.

SVP Tucson is leading the development of the Community Coalition for Prosperity (CC4P) to drive systemic solutions for breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty and promoting economic mobility in Tucson and Pima County. The coalition will unify nonprofits, funders, government agencies, businesses, and community leaders around the 13 Prosperity Policies formally adopted by the City of Tucson and Pima County in 2023-2024.

This project will develop a comprehensive strategic plan to formalize CC4P’s governance, funding, stakeholder engagement, communication strategy, and implementation roadmap, ensuring it becomes a catalyst for lasting economic change.