Maria is a 26-year-old sales rep for a technology company. She lives in a two-bedroom townhouse with her golden retriever Rex. Maria travels about twice a month, and when doing so, she has three options regarding care for Rex.

Option #1—

She can ask a neighbor to watch him, but that is a hit-or-miss possibility and, over time, she has not found anyone on whom she can depend;

Option #2—

She can take him to her parents’ house, but they live about an hour away;

Option #3—

She can take Rex to one of two kennels that are close to her townhouse. There is nothing wrong with them, but they are typical kennels. The dogs are cooped up most of the day and, a month ago, Rex came home from the kennel with a cough he picked up from another dog. Maria loves Rex and has no plans to give him up, but every time she travels, she faces the problem of what to do with him.....

Discussion Questions:

1.Make a list of Rover’s internal growth strategies and its external growth strategies. Which set of growth strategies (internal or external) play the largest role in Rover’s growth?
2.What accounts for Rover’s ability to grow rapidly?
To what extent do you believe Rover will be able to continue its fast pace of growth? Explain your answer.
3.Which of the five elements of Rover’s long-term growth strategy do you believe will play the most prominent role for the firm? Explain your answer.
4.Suggest three takeaways from the Rover case that other entrepreneurs can learn from in terms of crafting and managing their growth strategies.