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How To Approach Case Studies!

This document provides guidance on how to analyze case studies. It outlines the following key points: 1) The purpose of case studies is to develop analytical and managerial skills by identifying strategic issues, alternatives, and action plans for real businesses. 2) There is no single right answer in case studies - the goal is to generate arguments and identify problems or potential problems for discussion. 3) When approaching a case study, one should thoroughly read and take notes on the case, examine any exhibits, identify strategic issues and problems, calculate ratios, and apply analytical frameworks before developing conclusions and recommendations supported by evidence.

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20 views7 pages

How To Approach Case Studies!

This document provides guidance on how to analyze case studies. It outlines the following key points: 1) The purpose of case studies is to develop analytical and managerial skills by identifying strategic issues, alternatives, and action plans for real businesses. 2) There is no single right answer in case studies - the goal is to generate arguments and identify problems or potential problems for discussion. 3) When approaching a case study, one should thoroughly read and take notes on the case, examine any exhibits, identify strategic issues and problems, calculate ratios, and apply analytical frameworks before developing conclusions and recommendations supported by evidence.

Uploaded by

ExeChange
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Case Studies

A Guide to Analysis
Purpose/Objectives

• Increase your understanding of the role of the manager towards success.


• Develop skills in the use of analytical tools across a range of industries and competitive
settings
• Identify strategic issues, identify alternatives and create and evaluate plans of action.
• Develop your critical awareness – question, make judgements.
• Gain exposure to real businesses and business issues.
No Right Answer?

• Case studies generate good arguments for one or more course of action.
• They provide you with the opportunity to identify problems or potential problems.
• They provide you with the opportunity to diagnose operating issues and make
recommendations.
• The provide you with the opportunity to develop your (business) judgement and
managerial skills and make and explain your reasoning.
How to Approach an In-Class Case Discussion

• Skim read. Identify what you consider to be problems. If there are questions, read them
now.
• Read the case again, thoroughly, and makes notes. If there are questions begin answering –
just roughly.
• Review the exhibits, if there are any. If there are, then they may well be important.
• Decide what you consider to be the strateg.ic issues and problems
Continued…
• If there are numbers there, start your analysis by
calculating ratios. I like to begin with a common size
analysis.
• Apply strategic analysis techniques. PESTLE, SWOT,
Porter’s, etc.
• Discuss amongst yourselves, if group work. Get
differing opinions and argue these out.
• Start pulling it together. Develop an conclusion about
the problems or direction with take and answer the
question ‘why?’ Think ‘are the company’s managers
doing a good job, why?
• Support your ‘why?’ with reasons – finances, ratios,
competition, etc.
• Develop an action plan. What are your suggestions for
the company? A sound analysis can be turned into a
sound action plan.
Recommendations

• Develop a set of recommendations of what the company should do next. These need to
clearly arise for the analysis.
• Be specific.
• Be realistic
• Be measurable
• Be prepared to argue the recommendations.
Seminar Discussions

Ask The tutor will ask questions and listen carefully to the responses.

Do The students will do most of the talking, all of the student group!

Be Be prepared for the instructor to ask “why do you think that way?” and provide supporting arguments

Expect Expect to be challenged – but hold your ground!

Don’t be Don’t be surprised if you change your mind.

Expect Expect to learn a lot – from other students!

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