Do not go to the Internet to find, for example, a SWOT analysis and use it for your case. Do your own research and develop your own strategic analysis. Wikipedia and Quick MBA type sources do not count. The case study analysis allows you to apply your knowledge to the real world. Your goal is to identify the major problem confronting the subject company and provide a strategic solution for the problem. You will need to collect data and interpret it. You must also isolate the critical issues that the company faces.
After identifying the critical issues, you can generate alternatives to address the company's competitive situation. Evaluating these alternatives allows an organization to select one course of action. With a course of action defined the strategic manager can then provide a plan for implementation this is what you are to do on the case studies.
Executive Summary (template)
Problem Statement
Present a significant problem you have identified after analyzing the situation; it should be concise and, if not addressed, something that has the potential to prevent the company from being successful. One sentence is enough. Ask the question “Why” to make sure it is a root cause and not a symptom of a deeper problem.
Analysis
In this section you present a few points of analysis. Since there are many factors to consider, you would only present here the most significant of the many points of analysis you have in the full report.
· These factors would be the ones that led to your identification of a significant problem.
· The factors presented here would help a reader understand why your recommendation is the best.
· For Case One you are dealing only with external analysis – the macro-environment and the industry.
· For Case Two and Case Three you will be presenting key points of external and internal (company-related) analysis.
· Using bullet points, color, formatting will make the report more executive reader-friendly.
Alternatives
· Briefly present a possible alternative strategic action the company could take.
· Briefly present another possible alternative strategic action the company could take.
· In some instances, you might even want to present a third alternative
Recommendation
Based on your analysis and the problem you have identified; you will want to present your recommendation. It will be one of the alternatives above. Then you should add a few comments as to why it is the best course of action, based on your analysis and the problem. Of course, your report will have far more detail and explanation – but this page will serve to summarize that lengthier report and justify your recommendation. Remember, you are a consultant and you must convince your client that you have thoroughly analyzed the situation and are presenting the best course of action.
With a limit of one page to summarize the report, you would want to use most of the page.
Implementation
Since we do not have access to internal company information, all you can present here would be a cursory implementation plan. It should at least present material that supports the viability of your recommendation. You should offer a few words about the company having the time, the talent and expertise, and the financial resources to follow your recommendation – or can acquire them.
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