Back to School

1
Back to School

• Already?

2
Agenda for the Day

• Details about the syllabus.
• Overview of the course macro-level overview of
  marketing strategy.

3
How to Contact Me?

• Instructor Raj Echambadi
• Office BA2 308R
• E-mail rechambadi_at_bus.ucf.edu
• Phone [phone]
• Course web site http//www.bus.ucf.edu/echambadi/
  mar6816
• My presentation slides (if any!) will also be
  available in the class web site at least a day
  before the class session.

4
Tentative Session Plan

• From the syllabus

5
What about a syllabus?

• Available on the course web site at
• http//www.bus.ucf.edu/echambadi/mar6816
• Please read the syllabus completely.

6
Course Material

• No required text.
• Readings from Harvard Business Review to be
  downloaded by you. OR Can be downloaded from the
  class web site from the link called Readings.
• www.bus.ucf.edu/echambadi/mar6816
• Eleven (11) Cases from the Harvard Business
  School available from the HBS website. Details
  provided in the syllabus.

7
A word about the case packetsFrom the HBS
website!
NO required textbook for the course!
8
Why cases?

• http//mckinsey.com/aboutus/careers/applyingtomcki
  nsey/interviewing/casestudies/index.asp
• I view cases as simulations of real-life
  scenarios!
• The case situations have been developed by
  careful research on actual situations in real
  companies.
• Read the case and case alone! Dont do any
  outside research on the case! Prepare thoroughly!

9
Why cases? (contd.,)

• Decisions are almost always made in imperfect
  information conditions.
• Do not be surprised if you feel that the case
  lacks some facts that you would like to have to
  make possible a better decision.
• Remember that the ability to make effective
  decisions without all of the facts is an
  essential executive skill!

10
Why cases? (contd.,)

• Not all roads lead to Rome!
• Don't look for "the subject" of a case or expect
  to get "the answer" in class. There is NO one
  correct answer!
• All recommendations must be based on sound
  rationale derived from either a quantitative base
  or qualitative reasoning or both.

11
A word about the readings

• 8 HBR articles.

12
Two Phases of MAR6816

• Intro stage (till Apr 3rd)
• 8 cases. I will lead the case discussions.
• 4 random, 20 minute, in-class quizzes on the case
  and assigned material for the week.
• Two exams.
• Exam 1 on Feb 20th worth 20(micro issues)
• Exam 2 on Apr 3rd worth 15 (macro issues)

13
Apr 10th Apr 12th Classes

• Maximum of five to a group.
• A maximum of four groups make case presentations
  in each class.
• List of team members to me by Mar 26th
• Each presentation is worth 180 points or 18.
• Suggested timeline is 20 minutes plus 15 minutes
  of questions.
• Outside judges?

14
Team Formation

• Ideal size maximum of 5 members
• Good team dynamics
• similar course aspirations
• logistics
• varied backgrounds

15
Apr 10th Apr 12th Classes

• Primary focus on the analysis and
  recommendations.
• Presenting teams turn in their PowerPoint slides.
• Non-presenting teams write a 2-page reaction
  paper focusing on the recommendations.
• Also, non-presenting teams question the
  presenters.

16
Final Exam?

• No.
• Instead, you will turn in a 7-page (max) group
  case report on the H-E-B case. You can use
  unlimited exhibits (within reason!)
• Due on Apr 24th by 1030 a.m.

17
How will I grade Contribution to In-Class
Discussion?

• A Outstanding aha! I never thought of this
  angle before!
• B Above average An interesting thought!
• C Average what I would expect from a smart UCF
  student.
• D Below Average Not a sufficient grasp of the
  subject! Trivial!
• 0 Absent

18
Performance Evaluation

• Best 3 out of 4 quizzes 150 points
• Contribution to Class Discussion 150 points
• Exam I 200 points
• Exam II 150 points
• Team Presentation 180 points
• Written Case Report 120 points
• Reaction Paper 50 points

19
Grading Scale

• Over 90 A
• 80 89.9 B
• 70 79.9 C
• Below 70 D
• Plus / Minus system will be used.
• Grades will not be rounded.

20
Some Class Norms

• Preparation is key to doing well in this course!
• Class participation is a MUST!
• Please dont come LATE! Leaving early constitutes
  as absence!
• Multiple absences will hurt your participation
  grade.
• Encourage professionalism in every aspect of the
  course - reports, presentations, discussions,
  courtesy to other students.
• Encourage a lot of interactions.
• Learn to be assertive. Ask a lot of questions.

21
Things to Do!

• Please go to the class website and download the
  complete syllabus. READ the syllabus.
• Please fill out the student sheet and hand it
  over to me next class (Or e-mail it to me).
• Please go to the Slides page on the class web
  site and download the handouts (they should be up
  by Monday morning) before coming to the next
  class.

22
This course will (hopefully!) force you to

• Think rather than listen
• Learn actively rather than passive learning!
• Be creative and think logically!
• Essentially, this is a Big Picture class!
• Skills?

23
MAR 6816
Communication skills