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Preparing and Presenting a Case Analysis

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Approaching the Case
First reading. Become familiar with the situation of the organization:
Identify insights into the problem
Obtain background information on the environment and organization

Second reading. Pay attention to key facts and assumptions:
Determine relevance and reliability of the data
Obtain background information on the environment and organization

Avoid these pitfalls:
Do not rush to a conclusion
Do not “work the numbers” until their meaning and derivation are understood
Do not confuse supposition with fact

Formulating the Case Analysis
1.Nature of the Industry, Market, and Buyer Behavior
What is the nature of the industry structure, conduct, and performance?
Who are the competitors, and what are their strengths and weaknesses?
How do consumers buy (why, where, when, how) in this industry or market?
Can the market be segmented? How? Can the segments be quantified?
What are the requirements for success in this industry?

2.The Organization
What are the organization’s mission, objectives, and distinctive competency?
What is its offering to the market? How can its past and present performance be characterized? What is its potential?
What is the situation in which the manager or organization finds itself?
What factors have contributed to the present situation?
What are its financial, human, and material resources?
What is the “fit” between it and its environment based on the SWOT?

3.A Plan of Action
What actions are available to the firm based on the situation analysis?
What are the costs and benefits of action in both qualitative and quantitative terms?
Is there a disparity between what the organization wants to do, should do, can do, and must do?

4.Potential Outcomes
What will be the buyer, trade, and competitive response to each course of action?
How will each course of action satisfy buyer, trade, and organization requirements?
What is the potential profitability of each course of action?
Will the action enhance or reduce the organization’s ability to compete in the future?
What is the best course of action to pursue?

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