Guide to
Strategic Management
Case Analysis
Pearce Textbook: Part Three (G-1)
After Page 392
Case Assignments
 Groups 1, 2 & 3: IBM Global Services
 Computer Services Industry
 Case #38
 Groups 4 & 5: JP Morgan Chase
 The Credit Card Industry
 Case #40
 Relevant Chapters: 3, 5 & 6
 Due Date: Thursday, Dec 16
The Case Method
 Gives you the opportunity to assume the
role of a key decision maker in a business
organization
 Allows you to develop your analytical skills
 Helps you to understand the
interrelationships of various functional
areas of business
 Enables you to develop valuable skills in
time management, group problem solving,
creativity and organization
Preparing For Case Discussion
 Allow adequate time for case
preparation
 Read each case twice
 Focus on the key strategic issue in
each case
 Do not overlook exhibits
 Adopt the appropriate time frame
 Draw on all of your knowledge of
business
Using The Internet In Case Research
 Company Websites
 U.S. Government Websites
 SEC’s Edgar Database
 Search Engines
 Yahoo
 Investment Research Sites
 Hoover’s Online
 Online Data Sources
 Bloomberg Financial
 BusinessWeek Online
Written Assignments
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Analyze
Use headings or labels
Discuss alternatives
Use topic sentences
Be specific in your recommendations
Do not overlook implementation
Specifically state your assumptions
Oral Presentations
 DO NOT READ YOUR PAPER!
 Use your own words
 As a guide, use an outline with
bullet points
 Rehearse your presentation
 Use visual aids
 Be prepared to handle questions
Working As A Team Member
 Try to have an equitable division of
labor
 Communicate with other team
members
 Work as a team
 Plan and structure team meetings
 Let your instructor know if you have a
non-participant
 Ensure final product is integrated and
consistent, with no duplications.
Writing a Case Report
1. Define the central problem:
 Distinguish between problems and
symptoms of a fundamental problem
 In medicine, if a patient who has fever, this is
a symptom, infection is the problem
 Business examples of symptoms are declining
sales, declining market share or defections
from your sales force
 A problem may not really be a problem but is
simply an area of opportunity
Writing a Case Report (Cont)
2. Formulate the alternatives to resolve the
problem
3. Analyze the alternatives
 This is a key part of the case report
 Emphasis is on the word, “analyze”
4. Recommend a solution
5. Specify a plan of action
 How will you implement your solution
6. Prepare contingency plans
Common Errors To Avoid
 Simply repeating & rehashing data
 Concluding there is inadequate data
 Failing to deal adequately with
numbers
 Failing to pursue analysis to a logical
conclusion
 Failing to adequately organize your
report
Common Errors To Avoid (cont)
 Failure to be decisive
 Excessive grammatical and spelling
mistakes
 Failure to read report over after it is
printed
 Other things to avoid
 Presenting a massive catalog of
problems or alternatives
 Using slang and repeating slogans
 Using colloquialism or informal language
Ch. 3: Five Forces Driving Industry
Competition (Michael Porter)
New
Entrants
Threat of new entrants
Bargaining
power
of suppliers
Industry Competitors
Bargaining
power
of buyers
Buyers
Suppliers
Rivalry Among
Existing Firms
Threat of substitute
products or services
Substitutes
Ch. 5, Ex. 5-7: The Value Chain
General Administration
Human Resource Management
Research, Technology, and Systems Development
Procurement
Inbound Operations Outbound Marketing
Logistics
Logistics and Sales
Primary Activities
Service