Effective, persuasive analytical writing is a critical management skill. This note trains students to write to the needs and expectations of their readers with objectivity and efficiency, whether they are writing memos, emails, research reports, technical briefings, position papers, or recommendations for action.
The Beer Game is a competitive supply chain simulation that improves on the learning outcomes of the classic Beer Game developed at MIT. Students still assume one of four supply chain positions, but in the second game, profile participants can have full visibility of the entire supply chain (information regarding inventory on hand, incoming shipments, and demand), and each member of the supply cha
This online exercise describes the beginnings of the product-design process at a fictitious firm, PFG Bank (PFG). PFG has a variety of different products (12 versions of a credit card) and detailed information, summarized by a credit score, about several thousand potential customers. The question at hand is which product(s) should be offered through direct mail to which customers. PFG's answer (so
When a former middle manager of a technology manufacturing company becomes a general manager, he finds his new role more stressful. There are complaints from sales reps about delayed shipments to customers, and workers are protesting the new climate survey he initiated in an attempt to learn more about how employees feel. Also EEOC regulations have forced him to study how well his employees are tr
The Strategist's Toolkit is designed for anyone needing to engage in any kind of strategic planning exercise: basic or advanced. Paired with case studies, the toolkit trains adherents to think strategically by developing a mechanized way to think through problems. With practice, readers will develop a seamless process for analyzing strategic problems and presenting coherent solutions. Arranged in
This case can be used to teach students about individual behavior, Type A behavior, time and priority management, balancing work and family life, managing performance, managing energy in professional life, organizational behavior, and leadership. John Wolford, a new general manager of a technology manufacturing company, finds his role so stressful that he undergoes medical tests.
This technical note, written for students, gives a first "how to do it" introduction to studying by the case method. The note argues that success follows from a combination of good attitude, good "infrastructure," and good execution. This could be distributed along with a course syllabus or advance materials and was written with the objective of helping students more quickly achieve levels of effe
Well suited for MBA and undergraduate marketing programs, this case uses product positioning and placement during the early growth stages of a start-up's brand in the food industry to unfold circumstances that allow for an analysis of the firm's positioning and food marketing decisions. All products are plant-based foods distributed nationally in the United States. Seeking to target mainstream tas
