Case Interview Types: Master Common

Ones Before Your Interview

 Overview – The agency spent 10% less on its summer lunch program
this year than in prior years.
 KPI – That the agency’s key performance indicator is the number of
lunches provided to low-income children.
 Benchmarking – 
 The overall economic health of the state had not changed
substantially from the prior year. 
 The decline in lunches was focused specifically in a couple of
geographic regions – low-income cities where schools were closed
over the summer for renovations and where lunches could not be
served.
Star – A business segment that has high growth and high market share is often
very profitable. These business segments should receive further investment so
they can continue to grow.
Cow – A business segment with low growth but high market share is likely to be
a stable, profitable business. The profits of this type of business can be reaped
over time to invest in other, higher growth business segments.
Dog –  A business segment with low growth and low market share is often not
profitable and not likely to improve without substantial investment. The
company should consider divesting these business segments to free up cash
for more profitable businesses.
? – A business segment with high market growth but low share requires further
study. Is further investment likely to result in market share growth, allowing this
business segment to become a star? Or is it likely to become a dog over time?