Business Case Studies & Business Publications

The Alaskan Gold Mine

Bourgeois, L. J. I...

Exercise

The Alaskan Gold Mine

Bourgeois, L. J. III; Barach, Jeffrey

BP-0329 | Published August 24, 1992 | 2 pages Exercise

Collection: Darden School of Business

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This two-part exercise is used to introduce the strategy process. In Part I, a slightly injured gold prospector must decide which route to take to file a claim. The route through the valley is safer but may take too long. The other (over mountains) is riskier, and a storm is brewing. Part II has the prospector sprain an ankle, so he or she must rely on an uneducated, drinking trapper friend either to help get out (which may take too long) or to file the claim on the prospector's behalf (alone). This exercise requires students to assess the external environment and their own capabilities to select a strategy, and then they must lead and motivate another, less committed person to help implement it.