How did Liberty Mutual make a competitive advantage through its (combination) business strategy?

It was in the spring of the second year of his insurrec- tion against the High She-riff of Nottingham that Robin Hood took a walk in Sherwood Forest. As he walked he pondered the progress of tlte campaign, the disposition of his forces, the Sheriff's recent moves, and the options that confronted him. The revolt against the Sheriff had begun as a personal crmade, erupting out of Robin's conict with the Sheriff and his administration. Alone, however, Robin Hood could do little. He therefore sought allies, men with grievances and a deep sense of justice. Later he welcomed all who came, asking few questions, and only demanding a will- ingness to serve. Strength, he believed, lay in numbers. He spent the first year forging the group into a disci- plined band, tuiited in enmity against the Sheriff, and will- ing to live outside the law. The band's organization was simple. Robin ruled supreme, making all important deci- sions. He delegated specic tasks to his lieutenants. Will Scarlett was in charge of intelligence and scouting. His main job was to shadow the Sheriff and his men, always alert to their next move. He also collected information on the travel plans of rich merchants and tax collectors. Little John kept discipline among the men, and saw to it that their archery was at the high peak that their profession demanded. Scarlock took care of the fmances, convert- ing loot into cash, paying shares of the take, and nding suitable hiding places for the surplus. Finally, Much the Miller's son had the difficult task of provisioning the ever- increasing band ofMerrymcn. The increasing size of the band was a source of satis- action for Robin, but also a source of concern. The fame of his Men'ymen was spreading, and new recruits poured in from every corner of England. As the band grew larger, their small hivouac became a major encampment. Between raids the men milled about, talking and playing games. Vigilance was in decline, and discipline was becoming harder to enforce. "Why," Robin reected, 1'I don't know halfthe men ] run into these days." The growing hand was also beginning to exceed the food capacity of the forest. Game was becoming scarce, and supplies had to be obtained from outlying villages. The cost of buying food was beginning to drain the band's fmancial reserves at the very moment when revenues were in decline. Travelers, especially those with the most to lose, were now giving the forest a wide berth. This was costly and inconvenient to them, but it was preferable to having all their goods conscated. Robin believed that the time had come for the Merrymen to change their policy of outright confisca- tion of goods to one of a xed transit tax. His lieutenant strongly resisted this idea. They were proud of the Merry- men's famous motto: "Rob the rich and give to the poor." \"The farmers and the townspeople,\"I theyr argued, \"are our most important allies. I low can we tax them, and still hope for their help in our ght against the Sheriff!" Robin wondered how long the Mcrrymen could keep to the ways and methods of their early days. The Sheriff was growing stronger and better organized. He now had the money and the men, and was beginning to harass the band, probing for its weaknesses. The tide of events was beginning to turn against the Merrymcn. Robin felt that the campaign must be deci- sively concluded before the Sheriff had a chance todeliver a mortal blow. "But how,'I he wondered, "could this be done?" Robin had often entertained the possibility of killing the Sheriff, but the chances for this seemed increasingly remote. Besides, while killing the Sheriff might satisfy hi personal thirst for revenge, it would not improve the situ- ation. Robin had hoped that the perpetual state of unrest. and the Sheriffs failure to collect taxes, would lead to his removal from office. Instead, the Sheriff used his politi- cal connections to obtain reinforcement. He had power- Jl friends at court, and was well regarded by the regent. Prince John. Prince John was vicious and volatile. He was con- sumed by his unpopularity among the people, who wanted the imprisoned King Richard back. He also lived in constant fear of the barons, who had rst given him the regency, but were now beginning to dispute his claim to the throne. Several of these barons had set out to collect the ransom that would release King Richard the Lion- heart 'om his jail in Austria. Robin was invited to join the conspiracy in return for Jture amnesty. It was a danger- ous proposition. Provincial banditry was one thing, court intrigue another. Prince John's spies were everywhere. If the plan failed, the pursuit would be relentless and retribu- tion swift. The sound of the supper horn startled Robin from his thoughts. There was the smell of roasting venison in the air. Nothing was resolved or settled. Robin headed for camp promising himself that he would give these problems