Analyzing Strategic

Management Cases
Agenda
Case Presentation
Steps to Case Preparation
Presentation Requirements
Report Requirements
Robin Hood
Robin Hood: Organizational Profile
Brief History

First year of Revolt: built a large body of men with grievances;
made a disciplined fighting force; housed in Sherwood Forest
Robin ruled supreme; had lieutenants to whom he delegated
functions
Fame spread; the band grew
As the band grew, discipline slackened and food was scarce.
Revenues were running short as the rich were avoiding the forest
Barons want to overthrow Prince John, bring King Richard back,
and want Robin Hood to help them in exchange for amnesty
Something had to change, but what?

Robin Hood: Financial Indicators
The Changing Forest

First year, did well. Small organization, growth was
steady, revenues consistent, stockholder support
No competition


Company Year 1 Year 2 Change
Revenue 13.4 12.1 -1.3
Expenses 10.0 11.5 +1.5
Coffers 3.4 .6 -2.8
Robin Hood: The Problem(s)
Sheriff is getting stronger; more men and
money
Band is running out of money
Food is scarce
How do we decisively end the conflict before
the Sheriff regains control?

Robin Hood: SWOT
Strengths
Strong leadership
Large band of well-trained
fighting men
Support from stockholders
(the peasants and farmers that
hate the Sheriff)
Weaknesses
Unable to sustain growth
(limited resources)
Lack of familiarity with all org
members
Opportunities
Expand into other forests,
spreading the revenue base
Threats
The sheriff is getting stronger,
increased competition
Prince John is paranoid, could
act irrationally
Barons could undermine
Robins efforts
Threat of Substitute
Products

Low
Threat of
New
Entrants
Threat of New
Entrants

Low
Rivalry Among Competing
Firms in Industry

Low
Bargaining Power of
Buyers

Low
Bargaining Power
of Suppliers

Not known


Robin Hood: Five Forces
W
e
a
k
n
e
s
s
e
s
:

S
t
r
e
n
g
t
h
s

WO Strategies: Limit size of band

Turn the fighting band into a group
of elites
Maintains discipline
Solves food issues
Basically, curtail growth
SO Strategies: Kill the Sheriff

Wipe him out, no more problems
Has the men to do it
When the sheriff is gone, disband

WT Strategies: Disband

Give up the cause, return to
normal life
Robin flees to another country to
escape punishment


ST Strategies: Join the barons

Has the fighting force
Get access to capital markets
Maybe ends the conflict quicker



Opportunities Threats
Robin Hood: Alternatives
TOWS Matrix
Robin Hood: Recommendations
Recommendation:
Join the barons
take a chance on getting King Richard back and getting rid
of John and the Sheriff in one fell swoop
Get capital to grow the business and feed the troops
Robin Hood: Case Update
Robin joined the barons.
King Richard was freed and reclaimed the throne
Prince John was exiled and the Sheriff lost his job; he
now cleans pigsties for a living.
Robin was exonerated and lives in a large mansion on
the edge of Sherwood Forest, enjoying life with his wife
(Maid Marion), three kids, two horses, and a dog named
Jack.

Robin Hood: The End
Questions?

Thank You!

How to Conduct a Case Analysis
Put yourself inside the case
Think like an actual participant
Strategic decision maker
Board of directors
Outside consultant
Five Steps: Step One
Become familiar with the material
Read quickly through the case
one time
Use initial read-through to assess possible links
to strategic concepts
Read the case again, making notes
Evaluate application of strategic concepts
After forming first recommendation, thumb
through the case again to assess consequences
of actions you propose
Five Steps: Step Two
Identify problems
Symptoms vs.. Problems: avoid getting hung up on
symptoms
Some cases have more than one problem
Articulate the problem
Writing down a problem statement gives you a
reference point when you proceed through the case
analysis
Some problems are not apparent until after you do
the analysis
Five Steps: Step Three
Conduct strategic analyses
Determine which strategic issues are involved
Use strategic tools to conduct the analysis
Five-forces analysis
PEST analysis
SWOT analysis
Value chain analysis
Resource-Based View of the Firm (VRIO)
Contingency frameworks
Financial analysis
Test your own assumptions about the case
Five Steps: Step Four
Propose alternative solutions
Develop a list of options first without judging them
Do nothing is often a reasonable alternative
Evaluate alternatives
Can the company afford it?
Is the solution likely to evoke a competitive
response?
Will employees accept the change?
How will it affect other stakeholders?
How does it fit with the vision, mission,
objectives?
Will the culture or values of the company
change?
Five Steps: Step Five
Make recommendations
Make a set of recommendations
that your analysis supports
Describe exactly what needs to be done
Explain why this course of action will solve the
problem
Include suggestions for how best to implement
the proposed solution
The solution you propose must solve the problem
you identified
Points to Remember
Always connect the problem(s), alternatives, and
recommendations
Often, the problem is stated in the case; you just
have to look a little for it
Presentation Requirements
Introduction of Management Team
Outline of presentation
Company Overview
Problem Identification
Strategic Analysis
Alternatives
Recommendation
Conclusion/Wrap Up of pertinent information
15-20 minutes in length
Report Requirements
1. Include:
a) Cover sheet with:
a) Class and section
b) Group name
c) List of group members
d) Case name and number
b) Historical Overview/Company Profile
c) Identify problem(s)
d) Strategic Analysis
e) Alternatives
f) Recommendation(s)
2. Be thorough, but brief and concise.
3. Use charts and graphs to consolidate information and keep
it interesting.
4. Pattern report on presentation
Report Requirements (cont.)
Format-Business style writing
3-5 pages in length
Times New Roman font, 12 pt., 1 inch margins
Single-space paragraphs
Double-space between paragraphs and after headers
Section headers in bold; sub-headers italicized; no
punctuation after headers
All type should be left justified (do not indent paragraphs)
Charts and graphs should be in-line, not in appendix
Watch paragraph lengths, grammar, spelling
Consistent formatting throughout
Use charts, graphs, images and bullets; be creative but
professional; graphs should not be to big

Submission Requirements
On day of presentation, submit the
following:
Report
Copy of slides
Print 6 to a page; needed for reference only