- HBS CASE (300 POINTS | 30%)
There are many resources online that talk about how to
prepare a case and do a write up. I suggest you read a few, but
don’t be misled. I want something different: a business email.
Take what is given in each case and do your best to diagnose
the real problem (not just the symptoms), systematically lay
out and evaluate (both qualitatively AND quantitatively) the
alternatives facing the business, and make a clear
recommendation.
A few case preparation questions are provided to get your
thinking and analysis started. Do not just answer the
questions, but make sure you address the issues in red. While
you are welcome (and encouraged) to consult with your group
in analyzing the case, your case write-ups must be individually
done or with one other person. Every submission is analyzed
for plagiarism, so please don’t copy anything you find online.
Write in the form of an email to the decision maker of the
case.
Once the case discussion begins, you should be prepared to
provide constructive input as the class works together to
address the issues of the case. Have numbers where
appropriate.
The situations vary in complexity and the issues they address.
§ It is rare that there is a single right answer, but, of course,
there may be wrong answers
§ It is rare that the class will come to a consensus—most of
the cases have good reasons for different strategies
§ Real learning takes place when you see how others address
a problem you have thought carefully about—the better
prepared you are, the more you learn
§ Note that the decisions taken by the managers profiled in
the cases, while sometimes amusing, are irrelevant to the
learning experience; many actual business decisions are
not founded on logic or rational analysis.
Guidelines:
Write to the decision makers in the case
Make your recommendation in the first line of the email
Then, make the best arguments you can in as short a space as possible
Use bullets where appropriate
Be interesting and engaging
Make us read beyond your first line
Don’t bore
Do not regurgitate the case or tell people in the case what they would know
Be natural. “I’ve been doing some analysis on our decision to…the numbers suggest…so I think we should…”
If you can come up with impact on revenue, costs, profits, etc., do it. “If we go forward with y, we’re going to lose $10 million per year. X should lead to additional profits…”
Don’t make recommendations without some serious supporting logic
Don’t leave us asking “why?” “What impact would that have on the business? Would we lose money?”
Approach our discussions and emails thinking about recommendations for the company and the reasons why. The questions below are to spark your thinking.
How is Tony’s attempting to create customer value? Is the focus on economic value, functional value, experiential value, or social value? Does it make sense in the category?
Are the attributes Tony’s wants to emphasize in their value proposition valued the same way by customers?
Tony’s expresses a goal of fundamentally changing consumer perceptions and behavior. What do you think?
What are Tony’s strategic options for the next 5 years? What are the challenges and implications of each option? Can they strike a balance between achieving their mission and growth? What should they do?
- Write to the decision makers in the case
§ Make your recommendation in the first line of the email
§ Then, make the best arguments you can in as short a
space as possible
§ Use bullets where appropriate
§ Be interesting and engaging
§ Make us read beyond your first line
§ Don’t bore
§ Do not regurgitate the case or tell people in the case what
they would know
§ Be natural. “I’ve been doing some analysis on our decision
to…the numbers suggest…so I think we should…”
§ If you can come up with impact on revenue, costs, profits,
etc., do it. “If we go forward with y, we’re going to lose $10
million per year. X should lead to additional profits…”
§ Don’t make recommendations without some serious