Tips: Management and Michael a. Mische Essay

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CASE PRO!
Successful Case Analysis & Interviewing Techniques by Professor Michael A. Mische
University of Southern California
Marshall School of Business
2013

©2013. Michael A. Mische. All rights reserved. I – UNDERSTANDING CASES

©2013. Michael A. Mische. All rights reserved. DEFINITION OF BUSINESS CASE
DEFINITION

FORMS &TYOES OF CASES

• “A business case is a statement of facts about an organization, individual, and/or industry, that is set in a certain time and context and with certain information about its circumstances, performance, situation, operating environment, attitudes, managers, customers and competitors.”



Business cases can come in different forms. The most common is the written case, however cases may also take the form of verbal representations, video and experiential.



Experiential cases are usually interactive in form and technology enabled. Some forms of interactive experiential cases include those on the Internet, a proprietary server, or traditional DVD or other storage media.



Cases vary in difficulty & complexity



Case vary in the quantity & quality of information that they provide



Cases are set “in time,” under certain conditions, & in a set context

©2013. Michael A. Mische. All rights reserved. WHY USE CASES?
WHY USE CASES?
• Faculty & employers use cases for many reasons:
– Cases place you in an “actual” but controlled business situation. – Cases provide a forum for discussion & comparison.
– Cases allow spontaneous evaluation & assessment.

CASES PROVIDE LEARNING
OPPORTUNTIES & INSIGHT INTO


Your ability to perform under “pressure.”



Your decision making skills and ability to function as a consultant, manager or analyst.



Your creative, analytical, and learning skills…how fast you adapt & learn.



Your time management skills & ability to quickly assemble complex facts & develop solutions into a coherent manner & context.



Your use of data & your ability to communicate, react, persuade and interact with other personalities, conflicting points of view, & different communication styles.

Cases are “controlled games” that provide you with the opportunity to apply your learning, apply tools & showcase your talents…relax & have fun!
©2013. Michael A. Mische. All rights reserved. LEARNING OBJECIVES & CHALLENGES
YOUR OBJECTIVES


PRIMARY OBJECTIVE…Showcase Your
Talent. Cases provide you with a unique opportunity to learn new concepts, apply concepts & theory to facts & craft solutions & responses. Learn how-to recognize the type of case that you are working with.

SOME CHALLENGES &
OPPORTUNITIES
CHALLENGES & OPPORTUITIES:

Managing your time!
Managing your stress & pressure.






Using incomplete data, knowledge or facts.



Maintaining your composure & concentration.



Communicating your ideas, impressions & social skills. •

Learning, adapting & asking the critical questions.



Understanding the requirements & answering the questions. LEARNING OBJECTIVES…Learn How-To:


Quickly recognize issues & organize key problems, data, facts and situations.



Efficiently scan, read & intellectualize a case.



Use critical thinking to analyze the case.



Structure your thinking for fast & efficient analysis & use of analytical techniques.



Effectively communicate (written & oral) & present your analysis for greatest effect.

©2013. Michael A. Mische. All rights reserved. DIFFERENT TYPES OF CASES
Formal

Conversational

Real Time

Description

Classic form that you are familiar with
Could be short with 1-2 pages or long with 5-10 pages
Uses exhibits & tables
Can be proprietary or public (example
HBS case)

This form is generally used to assess your probing & discovery skills – critical thinking & question asking
Designed to assess