mit sloan logo

Work smart with the Thinking Forward newsletter. MIT ideas every week. Sign up for Tuesday insights.

MBA

Through intellectual rigor and experiential learning, this full-time, two-year MBA program develops leaders who make a difference in the world.

Master of Finance

A rigorous, hands-on program that prepares adaptive problem solvers for premier finance careers.

Master of Business Analytics

A 12-month program focused on applying the tools of modern data science, optimization and machine learning to solve real-world business problems.

Leaders for Global Operations

Earn your MBA and SM in engineering with this transformative two-year program.

Master of Science in Management Studies

Combine an international MBA with a deep dive into management science. A special opportunity for partner and affiliate schools only.

System Design & Management

A joint program for mid-career professionals that integrates engineering and systems thinking. Earn your master’s degree in engineering and management.

Integrated Design & Management

An interdisciplinary program that combines engineering, management, and design, leading to a master’s degree in engineering and management.

Undergraduate

Bring a business perspective to your technical and quantitative expertise with a bachelor’s degree in management, business analytics, or finance.

PhD

A doctoral program that produces outstanding scholars who are leading in their fields of research.

Executive Programs

MIT Sloan Fellows MBA

A full-time MBA program for mid-career leaders eager to dedicate one year of discovery for a lifetime of impact.

MIT Executive MBA

This 20-month MBA program equips experienced executives to enhance their impact on their organizations and the world.

Executive Education

Non-degree programs for senior executives and high-potential managers.

Visiting Fellows

A non-degree, customizable program for mid-career professionals.

Teaching Resources Library

Strategy

Sustainability

Ventures in Salt: Compass Minerals International

By

Rebecca M. Henderson

Ramana Nanda

John D. Sterman

Jul 10, 2009

ABSTRACT

In late 2003, salt producer Compass Minerals celebrated its first day trading as a public company on the NASDAQ. Knowing that it would continue to wrestle with how to price its product and respond to competitive and environmental challenges as a publicly traded company, Compass Minerals would now have to make a compelling case for investors to hold a stand-alone salt company in their portfolio.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

To illustrate the challenges of pricing in a commodity market with variable demand.

INSTRUCTOR NOTE

This case is to be used in conjunction with “Salt Seller: A Commodity Pricing Simulation.”

COULD BE TAUGHT IN THE FOLLOWING COURSE(S)

sustainability, strategy

VENTURES IN SALT

*An educator (non-watermarked) copy of this case is available only to individuals who hold teaching positions at academic institutions and want to use the case in a course.