Analyzing Strategic Management Cases

Agenda Case Presentation Steps to Case Preparation Presentation Requirements Report Requirements

How to Conduct a Case Analysis Put yourself “inside” the case Think like an actual participant Strategic decision maker Board of directors Outside consultant

Five Steps: Step One Become familiar with the material Read quickly through the case one time Use initial read-through to assess possible links to strategic concepts Read the case again, making notes Evaluate application of strategic concepts After forming first recommendation, thumb through the case again to assess consequences of actions you propose

Five Steps: Step Two Identify problems Symptoms vs.. Problems: avoid getting hung up on symptoms Some cases have more than one problem Articulate the problem Writing down a problem statement gives you a reference point when you proceed through the case analysis Some problems are not apparent until after you do the analysis

Five Steps: Step Three Conduct strategic analyses Determine which strategic issues are involved Use strategic tools to conduct the analysis Five-forces analysis PEST analysis SWOT analysis Value chain analysis Resource-Based View of the Firm (VRIO) Contingency frameworks Financial analysis Test your own assumptions about the case

Five Steps: Step Four Propose alternative solutions Develop a list of options first without judging them Do nothing is often a reasonable alternative Evaluate alternatives Can the company afford it? Is the solution likely to evoke a competitive response? Will employees accept the change? How will it affect other stakeholders? How does it fit with the vision, mission, objectives? Will the culture or values of the company change?

Five Steps: Step Five Make recommendations Make a set of recommendations that your analysis supports Describe exactly what needs to be done Explain why this course of action will solve the problem Include suggestions for how best to implement the proposed solution The solution you propose must solve the problem you identified

Points to Remember Always connect the problem(s), alternatives, and recommendations Often, the problem is stated in the case; you just have to look a little for it

Presentation Requirements Introduction of Management Team Outline of presentation Company Overview Problem Identification Strategic Analysis Alternatives Recommendation Conclusion/Wrap Up of pertinent information minutes in length

Report Requirements 1. Include: a) Cover sheet with: a) Class and section b) Group name c) List of group members d) Case name and number b) Historical Overview/Company Profile c) Identify problem(s) d) Strategic Analysis e) Alternatives f) Recommendation(s) 2. Be thorough, but brief and concise. 3. Use charts and graphs to consolidate information and keep it interesting. 4. Pattern report on presentation

Report Requirements (cont.) Format-Business style writing 3-5 pages in length Times New Roman font, 12 pt., 1 inch margins Single-space paragraphs Double-space between paragraphs and after headers Section headers in bold; sub-headers italicized; no punctuation after headers All type should be left justified (do not indent paragraphs) Charts and graphs should be in-line, not in appendix Watch paragraph lengths, grammar, spelling Consistent formatting throughout Use charts, graphs, images and bullets; be creative but professional; graphs should not be to big

Submission Requirements On day of presentation, submit the following: Report Copy of slides Print 6 to a page; needed for reference only