True Religion is looking to become more customer-centric and competitive by refocusing its supply chain strategy. Starting from the end customer’s perspective, True Religion is asking you to consider how their products and services appear to and interact with their end consumers, and how various processes and policies that support the supply chain can better enable the company to deliver on their promises and create a positive customer experience.
Business Challenge: Design a customer-centric supply chain to take advantage of prospective consumer needs and preferences.
Company Information
| Company | True Religion |
| HQ | Gardena, California, U.S. |
| Revenue | Unlisted |
| Employees | Unlisted |
| Stage | Medium Business |
| Hiring Potential | Follow-on Projects, Formal Internship, Entry Level Full-Time, Upper Level Full-Time |
| Website | https://www.truereligion.com/ |
Company Overview
Apparel brand specializing in Denim. Our brand is sold around the world. Direct in owned and operated store, owned online and wholesale . The brand has a very loyal fan base spanning the original fans that purchased brands almost 20 years ago, to a new Gen Z & millennial customer.
Company Supervising Team
Course Info & Engagement Details
| School | School of Education & Professional Studies |
| Engagement Format | Live Case - These class projects allow students to work in teams as they propose real solutions to real business challenges for industry partners. These are often done as collaborations (with 2-4 different project scopes) or hack-a-thon / competitions (with 1 project scope). |
| Course | Supply Chain Live Case (Spring 2021) |
| Level | N/A |
| Students Enrolled | N/A |
| Meeting Day & Time | Tuesdays & Thursdays (9:30 AM ET - 10:45 AM ET) |
| Student Time Commitment | 4-7 Hours Per Week |
| Company Time Commitment | 2 Hours |
| Duration | 8.57 Weeks |
Project Topics
Data Management
Growth Strategy
Operations
School Supervisors
Students
Collaboration Timeline
| Touchpoints & Assignments | Due Date | Submission | |
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REMINDER OF CONFIDENTIALITY
REMINDER OF CONFIDENTIALITY
During this program, you'll be working on a real project posed by a real industry partner. By registering for the CapSource system and participating in this Program, you are bound by the Rules of Engagement, including strict confidentiality of information shared with you. Please be respectful and professional.
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January 15th, 2021 | Event na | |
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Students Gain Access to Materials
Students Gain Access to Materials |
February 22nd, 2021 | Event na | |
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Kickoff Webinar
Kickoff Webinar
Meeting link:
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March 4th, 2021 | Event na | |
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KICKOFF EVALUATION DUE
KICKOFF EVALUATION DUE
Survey link: https://forms.gle/pfCr6AqQkJSMYNSk6
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March 11th, 2021 | Event na | |
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MILESTONE #1 DELIVERABLE DUE
MILESTONE #1 DELIVERABLE DUE
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March 11th, 2021 | Submission Required submission-required | |
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TEMPERATURE CHECK SURVEY DUE
TEMPERATURE CHECK SURVEY DUE
Survey link: https://forms.gle/Hx4r5Jktw6sgtWon8
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March 18th, 2021 | Event na | |
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QUESTIONS FOR Q&A WEBINAR DUE
QUESTIONS FOR Q&A WEBINAR DUE
Survey link: https://forms.gle/mftJy2WM2skrZ6L79
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March 23rd, 2021 | Event na | |
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Question and Answers
Question and Answers
Meeting with the client for a second round of question and answer session.
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April 1st, 2021 | Event na | |
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MILESTONE #2 DELIVERABLE DUE
MILESTONE #2 DELIVERABLE DUE
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April 13th, 2021 | Submission Required submission-required | |
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Mid-Point Q&A Webinar
Mid-Point Q&A Webinar
Meeting link:
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April 20th, 2021 | Event na | |
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TEMPERATURE CHECK SURVEY DUE
TEMPERATURE CHECK SURVEY DUE
Survey link: https://forms.gle/Hx4r5Jktw6sgtWon8
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April 20th, 2021 | Event na | |
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MILESTONE #3 DELIVERABLE DUE
MILESTONE #3 DELIVERABLE DUE
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April 27th, 2021 | Submission Required submission-required | |
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FINAL SELF EVALUATION DUE
FINAL SELF EVALUATION DUE
Survey link: https://forms.gle/TP4xM5XDHYT5zFbP9
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May 9th, 2021 | Event na | |
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FINAL PEER EVALUATION DUE
FINAL PEER EVALUATION DUE
Survey link: https://forms.gle/qzHNe4t6QKDEiPY18
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May 9th, 2021 | Event na | |
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SUBMIT FINAL DELIVERABLE
SUBMIT FINAL DELIVERABLE
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May 16th, 2021 | Submission Required submission-required | |
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Final Presentations Webinar
Final Presentations Webinar
Meeting link:
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May 17th, 2021 | Event na | |
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OFFICAL PROJECT END
OFFICAL PROJECT END |
May 21st, 2021 | Event na |
Key Milestones & Project Process
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March 9, 2021 - Quick Dive Into True Religion and Target Customers
- Conduct a deep analysis of the company’s mission and values and how these are “lived” by the company.
- Deep dive into the company’s product/services and customer portfolio.
- Define the True Religion’s Customer
- Customer segmentation analysis
- What is the outside, customer perspective coming from
Suggested Deliverable:
Report highlighting understanding of products and customer segments relevant to the current project objectives.
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March 16, 2021 - Define Common Customer Needs for Each Segment
- What are the “must have’s” from the customer’s perspective?
- What features do customers expect?
- What are the expectations customers have regarding access and availability? eCommerce?
- Value? Is the product priced appropriately for the value the customer will get from it?
- How does True Religion meet customer needs? How is TR customer feedback obtained?
Suggested Deliverable:
Report detailing the “perspective” and needs of identified customer segments.
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March 23, 2021 - Market Analysis: Beyond Rivals & Immediate Market
- dentify 2-3 other brands, beyond True Religion’s rivals and immediate market, that are innovative, inspiring, and operate seamlessly to provide a friction-free consumer experience. See Allbirds as an example suggested by True Religion.
- How would you describe their social image?
- What themes relevant to supply chain, such as sustainability, are essential to their brand and message?
- What messages?
- How do they engage consumers around these themes?
- What makes the company a “good fit” for the consumer?
- What communication channels and digital platforms are they using to engage consumers?
- How do these companies unify their conversations with customers over multiple channels/platforms?
- What are some ways they use electronic medium for offline marketing purposes?
- How do they create opportunities for off-business/non-transactional engagement with the consumer?
Suggested Deliverable:
Market Analysis
- dentify 2-3 other brands, beyond True Religion’s rivals and immediate market, that are innovative, inspiring, and operate seamlessly to provide a friction-free consumer experience. See Allbirds as an example suggested by True Religion.
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April 8, 2021 - Understand the Supply Chain Process
- Where are True Religion’s manufacturing facilities located?
- How is the relationship with these manufacturers
- How do current key stakeholders feel about these manufacturers and locations?
- What is the cost of manufacturing? How does this compare with other manufacturers?
- How does the relationship affect sales and inventory position? Are there any challenges/barriers on the horizon?
Suggested Deliverable:
Supply Chain Agility Assessment and Supply Chain & Logistics Matrix
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April 19, 2021 - Translate Customer Needs to Supply Chain Process
- How can True Religion create greater availability for customers and enhance nimbleness in the supply chain process? For instance:
a. Where are there opportunities in the supply chain to shorten the turn-around time?
b. How can True Religion streamline the order management process to minimize time between concept to store? How should this inform their eCommerce strategy?
c. What are options for shipping products based upon inventory levels and customer demands? - How can networks be optimized? For instance:
a. Are supply chain managers effectively integrated with the product development team?
b. Do any providers or manufacturers present potential benefits for the company (improved quality or reduced cost)?
c. Can supplier and manufacturer agreements be modified to ensure demands are met?
Suggested Deliverable:
Supply Chain Planning Matrix & Report, Presentation
- How can True Religion create greater availability for customers and enhance nimbleness in the supply chain process? For instance: