1. b a c kn e x t h o m e GBA 687/8 Winter 2006 A Brief Overview Dr. Stan Abraham MHR Dept.

2. b a c kn e x t h o m e Prerequisites (just for my info) To enroll in the course, you MUST have taken: n GBA 537/8 n GBA 615/6 n GBA 645/6 n GBA 628/9

3. b a c kn e x t h o m e Same Old, Same Old... n Most courses on strategic management teach you ABOUT the topic and how companies fare using different strategies n The textbook costs up to $120 n You’re tested on this knowledge in a mid-term and final exam: –You forget everything a week later

4. b a c kn e x t h o m e This Course’s Focus n To learn what is involved in doing a strategic analysis n To acquire the skill of doing a strategic analysis and presenting the results to a critical audience n Take that skill with you when you finish the course and program –You won’t forget it in a hurry –You’ll enjoy it more

5. b a c kn e x t h o m e Plus, You Will... n Have an unusual opportunity to attend a first-rate conference on Strategy in Action—Lessons from Practice right in our own backyard (Long Beach, CA) (more later) n Try to integrate a new strategic concept into your strategy software

6. b a c kn e x t h o m e What Do You Think? n Do you like the course’s focus? n Thoughts?

7. b a c kn e x t h o m e What We Will Do Today n See who’s here – take roll n Discuss syllabus and expectations (this presentation) n Introduce ourselves to each other n Form groups n Take photographs n Answer questions

8. b a c kn e x t h o m e The Other Ten Class Sessions 2. Learn about strategic analysis— long lecture, so plan to stay late 3-8. Practice on the six remaining cases in class, one per week 9. Discussion on conference and course books 10-11. Demonstrate your ability— Final group presentations

9. b a c kn e x t h o m e What Happens OUT of Class n Read the Abraham book, become familiar with SAM tw, and use SAM tw on cases and the final project n Write the strategic-thinking paper n Prepare each of the cases in the casebook n Do a group-strategy project on a real company –Give a final presentation in class –Write a case study for future classes n Apply the strategic concepts of the Lele book to the SAM tw software in a creative exercise n Attend the ASP 2006 conference and submit a report (GBA 688)

10. b a c kn e x t h o m e The Net Result n There’s lots to do in a short quarter n You must take more responsibility for your own learning n The more you do and the harder you try, the more you will learn and the more I will help you n You should ask lots of questions all the time –the one thing that will enhance your learning the most

11. b a c kn e x t h o m e My Roles n To create a learning environment n To facilitate class discussions n To provide help and feedback both in class and out –In person (before and after class) –By phone and e-mail seven days a week

12. b a c kn e x t h o m e How to Reach Me n Campus office is Room 94-277 n Campus extension is 2420 n Campus e-mail is scabraham (also gets forwarded to me at home) n Home telephone number is in the syllabus –Don’t call after 10 PM (or after 8 PM on Sunday) –Don’t ask for feedback the day before (or day of) a presentation

13. b a c kn e x t h o m e Grading n Try to earn as many points as you can in GBA 687 –Leading case phases (@ 10 ea) = 30 points –Group assignment using Lele book = 15 points –Participation = 15 points –Group project presentation = 20 points –Group written case study = 20 points n The 85 “group” points (blue) are subject to modification by your GCRF n The one-unit conference report for GBA 688 is graded separately

14. b a c kn e x t h o m e Participation Grade (15 points) n For class attendance, 6 points n For participating in general discussions and asking questions after others’ presentations, 9 points –Only my perception counts (after week 3) n More than one unexcused absence will adversely affect your participation grade n More than four unexcused absences earns an automatic ‘F’ in the course

15. b a c kn e x t h o m e Required Books n Abraham book and companion CD-ROM –Key to doing a strategic analysis –Read Parts 1 and 2 within the first four weeks –Familiarize yourself with SAM tw (CD-ROM) n Custom Casebook –We will do all four cases –Download two others from my website –Brings the real world into the classroom n Lele book (entails an assignment) n De Kluyver/Pearce book is optional –Complements my book

16. b a c kn e x t h o m e The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP) n A professional association that I co-founded in October 1999, was President in 2003-04, and currently serve on the board n Rose out of the ashes of the bankrupt Strategic Leadership Forum n Last year became a national organization with chapters n The Los Angeles Chapter meets at the Renaissance Hotel near LAX on second Tuesday of each month n www.strategyplus.org www.strategyplus.org n Student memberships available (great deal)

17. b a c kn e x t h o m e 2006 Conference n Theme: “Strategy in Action – Lessons from Practice” n Date: Tuesday February 28, 2006 n Location: Grand Hotel, Long Beach n Cost: $100 if register by Jan 6 th n Cost: $125 if register after Jan 6 th n Register online (see top) n So valuable that I’m creating a graded assignment based on attending it www.strategyplus.org

18. b a c kn e x t h o m e Any Questions?