Writ. & Oral cases

I. Perspective:
You are to adopt the perspective of the key manager or management team in the firm. Assume you have the responsibility, do not adopt their personality. Be critical that is point out both the positive and negative aspects of the firm and its environment. No matter how good things look on the surface, all firms have areas needing improvement.
In developing your position, place yourself at the time of the case with the dilemmas or challenges facing the firm at that time. Where you have the benefit of hindsight or subsequent knowledge, this should be acknowledged.

II. Content of the Analysis (use headings similar to those underlined below in your paper)
A. ISSUE STATEMENT: (should be a brief paragraph max.)
       1. Identify the central issue in the case; the underlying cause(s) to the successes or failures observed. Be careful here, declining sales, increased personnel turnover and loss of market share are only symptoms of deeper problems focus on the latter.
        2. What major decision(s) is facing the firm at the end of the case.
NOTE: While this appears at the beginning of the paper; it is often easier to write after you have completed the analysis section that follows because you have a better understanding of the firm and the issues confronting it.

B. ANALYSIS:
        In this section you explore the issues and their causes and effects in some detail.
          The following areas should usually be covered:
1.Strategy - what is the firm's mission, objectives, generic strategies, and sources of advantage.     Are they   clear and still relevant?

2. Environmental Analysis - analyze the opportunities and the threats in the firm’s
        a. Macro (or societal ) environment - economy, government, socio-cultural, technological trends and events in the country(ies) in which the firm operates.
        b. Industry - Porter’s five forces: Rivalry, New Entrants, substitutes, suppliers, and buyers.

4. Performance: Analyze the firm's performance
            a. Financial indicators over time and compared to industry (see required exhibit)
          b. Compare the firm's progress to its own stated objectives if info. Is available.

5. Plan of Action: Make specific recommendations concerning what the firm needs to do at the end of the case out into the future. Organize them in order of priority, e.g, short term (this year) and long term.
For each action provide the following: you may provide a detailed matrix as an exhibit and merely discuss the major actions you are recommending in your text
What is to be done How , Where , When, Who (has responsibility)

1. Action 1 using debt $ New England in 6 mos. Eastern Division Manager
2. Action 2 joint venture France 12 mos. Int'l mgr.

NOTE: While there are no right or wrong solutions, they must be practical and the firm must have the time and resources to do them.

NOTE: DOING MORE RESEARCH IS NOT A SUFFICIENT ACTION!!!

III. FORMAT:
A. Text
- 3 1/2 pages max.
- Typed, double spaced, font 11-12 pt.
- NUMBER YOUR PAGES
B. Organization of text - use subheadings similar to ones noted above.
C. Exhibits - place a letter of number for each exhibit and refer to it in your text otherwise it doesn't count!
- Financial exhibit required
- Include up to 3 more tables or figures
D. Technical details
- Place Case title at top of first page
- One staple in upper left corner
- On back of last page in upper right hand corner
Name
Course No.
Date

Guidelines for Presentation

During the semester, each team will present a case analysis to the class on the date assigned on the syllabus.

Ground Rules

1.) Teams will have 20-25 minutes to present their case
2.) All team members must participate in the presentation
3.) At the beginning of class, the team will hand in
a) One typed outline or PPT slides of the presentation to the instructor
b) as well as peer evaluations of each team member.

Content*

Presentation must cover the following:
ISSUE statement
ANALYSIS (strategy, environment, company, performance)
PLAN OF ACTION
* see A Written case Analysis Guidelines@

Process

A. Possible Presentation Strategies

1. Formal - where team members each present an aspect of the content area as if they were briefing a management group.

2. Role Play - where team acts out certain scenes which cover the main
content areas
3. Combination - combine role play with formal, use role play as an intro or
a wrap up or to illustrate a major point during the presentation. ( could be presented as brief video segments)

B. Process Features required of all presentations

1. Participation by all team members
            2. A clear introduction and conclusion to the presentation
            3. Smooth flow from one part to the next, evidence of teamwork     and group cohesion.
            4. Evidence that material is well prepared and organized
            5. Good speaking volume, speed and eye contact with the audience
            6. Use of visual aids - overhead, power point, posters, blackboard, etc.
            7. Professional appearance and manner.

Evaluation
1. The team will receive an overall grade for the presentation based on:
                     Content (50%) and process (50%)

2. For each individual grades may be adjusted up or down based on peer
                     evaluations

1. Evaluate the teams presentation (both content and process), using a form provided by the instructor.
2. Note key points you felt the team overlooked or minimized
3. You will have the opportunity to ask the team questions for 10-15 minutes after the presentation.