Title: Case Competition Workshop
1Case Competition Workshop
- Co-sponsored by
- Consulting Club, Graduate Marketing
Association, - Finance Association
- November 30, 2005
2Agenda
- Case competition basics
- Why compete?
- Analyzing the case
- Presenting analyses recommendations
- Critical success factors
- Spring 2006 case competitions
- Getting involved
3Case Competition Basics
- Key Constants
- Two or more teams
- Case
- Key Variables
- Number of teams
- Team composition (single-school vs. mixed)
- Supplemental resource utilization
- Duration of analysis and presentation times
- Oral presentations vs. written reports or both
- Sponsorships
4Why Compete?
- Analyze an actual business problem
- Present recommendations to real-life
decision-makers - Raise awareness of the Smith School
- Network with employers and other students from
top MBA programs - Win
5Analyzing the Case
Familiarize yourself with case documentation
Identify strategic issues
Set goals and objectives
Generate strategic options matrix
Select best alternative
Create steps for implementation
6Presenting Your Analysis and Recommendations
Set the stage
Deliver the recommendation
Outline goals and objectives
Describe and support the action plan
Explain the implementation plan
Highlight strengths and challenges of the
recommendation
7Presenting Your Analysis and Recommendations
Set the stage
Deliver the recommendation
Outline goals and objectives
Describe and support the action plan
Explain the implementation plan
Highlight strengths and challenges of the
recommendation
8Set the Stage
- Get the audiences attention
- Establish credibility
- Identify common themes
- Highlight key issues and facts
9Presenting Your Analysis and Recommendations
Set the stage
Deliver the recommendation
Outline goals and objectives
Describe and support the action plan
Explain the implementation plan
Highlight strengths and challenges of the
recommendation
10Deliver the Recommendation
- Make ONE recommendation
- Describe the path you will take to support the
recommendation
11Presenting Your Analysis and Recommendations
Set the stage
Deliver the recommendation
Outline goals and objectives
Describe and support the action plan
Explain the implementation plan
Highlight strengths and challenges of the
recommendation
12Outline Goals and Objectives
- Describe the goals of your strategy
- Report the metrics used to evaluate the success
of your strategy - Financial
- Efficiency
- Market-related, etc.
- Give a time frame within which the goals will be
achieved
Return to these goals at the end of your
presentation
13Presenting Your Analysis and Recommendations
Set the stage
Deliver the recommendation
Outline goals and objectives
Describe and support the action plan
Explain the implementation plan
Highlight strengths and challenges of the
recommendation
14Describe and Support the Action Plan
- Provide rationale for the plan
- Case facts
- Analysis (use necessary frameworks not by name)
- External information (as appropriate)
- Source every assertion
- Articulate the linkages between facts, analysis,
and outcomes - Consider big-picture strategic perspective
- Address tactical/operational aspects of
implementation
15Presenting Your Analysis and Recommendations
Set the stage
Deliver the recommendation
Outline goals and objectives
Describe and support the action plan
Explain the implementation plan
Highlight strengths and challenges of the
recommendation
16Explain the Implementation Plan
- Outline the steps
- Logical sequence
- Detailed information about each
- Quantify each step
- Scope
- Duration
- Address functional areas involved with completing
each step
17Presenting Your Analysis and Recommendations
Set the stage
Deliver the recommendation
Outline goals and objectives
Describe and support the action plan
Explain the implementation plan
Highlight strengths and challenges of the
recommendation
18Acknowledge Challenges
- Identify the most risky part(s) of the strategy
- Consider how risks may change over time
- Internal conditions
- External environment
- Articulate plans to manage or eliminate risks
19Highlight Benefits
- Quantify results of implementing the strategy
- Financial
- Efficiency
- Market share, etc.
- Demonstrate how benefits correspond with the
goals outlined earlier in the presentation - Utilize graphs, charts, and pictures
20Discount Next-Best Alternative
- Compare and contrast recommended vs. next-best
strategy - Demonstrate the superiority of the recommended
strategy - Greater benefits
- Fewer risks
- Faster result (if applicable)
21Concluding the Presentation
- Summarize the main points
- Highlight key themes
- Reiterate the benefits of your recommended
strategy - Open the floor to questions
22Presentation Pointers
- Know your audience
- Be confident!
- Substance matters, not style
- Ensure that all text and values are legible from
afar - Anticipate questions prepare backup slides
- Keep track of the time
- All team members should remain attentive
- No more than two people should respond to the
same question
23Critical Success Factors
- Individual level
- Strong aptitude in at least one functional area
- Ability to work under pressure
- Determination to excel
- Stamina
- Team level
- Diverse skill sets
- Effective interpersonal relationships
- Leadership
- Strong presentation skills
24Spring 2006 Case Competitions
- All Smith Case Competition (Fall 2006)
- Marketing
- Wake Forest (2/9 2/11)
- Chapel Hill (UNC)
- Simon (Rochester) (1st Years Only April)
- Cadillac National Case Study Competition (1/31)
- Consulting
- VCIC
- Booz Allen
- GW (Consulting March/April)
- Finance
- Asset Management (Spring 2006)
Smith students participated last year in
competitions in bold
25Getting Involved
- Read Club e-mails!
- Apply as required
- Understand the selection processes
- Self-selected (LOreal e-Strat)
- Third-party
- Club leaders decision
- Prepare as appropriate
26Questions?