Rather than pursuing Huiyuan and wasting valuable time, Coke should have been aggressively expanding the presence of its Minute Maid brand.

FORBES: Leadership

In this context, the protection of Huiyuan was almost foreordained.

FORBES: New Asia

In truth, some at Coke HQ in Atlanta may have been relieved anyway when the deal fell through 16 months ago, as the financial crisis was raging, and the company was offering a huge premium for Huiyuan.

FORBES: China Saves Coke From Itself

In the time Coke spent trying to acquire Huiyuan, in negotiating the deal, in conducting due diligence and in waiting for regulatory approval, it lost time it could have spent building up its own juice labels within the market.

FORBES: Leadership

Coca-Cola 's ( KO - news - people ) recent failed bid to take control of Huiyuan Juice received a lot of coverage in the press because it was a high-profile example of an international brand trying to buy an important Chinese company and getting rejected.

FORBES: Leadership