Written Assignments

1. BIZFAX - Each person may select a 2 min oral  report (hand in a one page typed version) on a Business Week article. Your report should include: (1) an overview of the major point of the article, (2) a list of three facts used to support/illustrate the main idea; and (3) specific links between the ideas in the article and ideas/concepts in the course, explain how/why they are related. Due throughout the semester.

1. Extra Credit For extra credit you may do one of the exercises below. Two pages, typed. Can add as much as 5 points to lowest test grade.

 i. 1. BIZFAX - a second BizFax using the instructions above.

ii. Glo-Bus Reaction Paper. (a) identify and discuss a critical function or activity in your company; explain why it is critical; (b) what input have you provided to this function/activity, (c) explain its impact on your firm, and (d) relate the lessons learned from this to specific course lecture, discussion or readings. DUE MAY 7TH.

 

2. Written Case Analysis Guidelines - each person will be responsible for writing two case analyses during the semester. These are assigned on the class schedule according to your team's letter.

Read Text Ch. 11 and Appendices 11A & 11C.

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 - wait is the firm's mission, objectives, generic strategies, and sources of advantage. Are they clear and still relevant?

2. Environment: ( include SWOT Matrix exhibit) 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 (see Ch. 3)

3. Company analysis:(SWOT matrix exhibit) analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the firms resources and capabilities. Organize by the firm's value activities (key functional areas: marketing, operations, R&D, HRM, etc.

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                                                                                                                                                        - 3.5 pages max.
- Typed, double spaced, 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
- SWOT Matrix
- Include up to 3 more tables or figures
D. Technical details
- One staple in upper left corner
- On back of last page in upper right hand corner

Name
Course No.

Presentation Tips: Read Text Appendix 11A-C
 1. The team should be up front as a group, do not speak whisper while a teammate is presenting.

2. Everyone should have a speaking part.

3. Everyone should be neatly dressed, shirt slacks/dress – no tees, bare midriffs, jeans, sweats, shorts, caps of any kind, etc.

3. Have a clear introduction to your presentation and to team members.

4. Use note cards, do not read your part, have eye contact with audience.

5. When speaking, be mindful of the volume and speed of your communication (not too fast).

6. Make transitions from speaker to speaker smoothly, for ex. “Now Karin will present some marketing examples.”

7. Have a clear ending such as, “This concludes our presentation; are there any questions?”

8. Use some visual aids; if you use power point, bring it on a diskette; we will not be able to access your P drive.

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Page updated on 01/04/07