MHR 410 Fall 2006 Dr. Stan Abraham A Brief Overview

MHR 410MHR 410Fall 2006Fall 2006

Dr. Stan AbrahamDr. Stan Abraham

A Brief OverviewA Brief Overview

Same Old, Same Old . . .Same Old, Same Old . . .

• Most courses on strategic management Most courses on strategic management teach you teach you ABOUTABOUT the topic and how the topic and how companies fare using different strategiescompanies fare using different strategies

• The textbook costs well over $100The textbook costs well over $100• You’re tested on this knowledge in a mid-You’re tested on this knowledge in a mid-

term and final examterm and final exam– You forget everything a week laterYou forget everything a week later

ThisThis Course’s Focus Course’s Focus

• To learn what To learn what doing a strategic analysisdoing a strategic analysis involvesinvolves

• To To acquire the skillacquire the skill of doing a strategic of doing a strategic analysis and presenting the results to a analysis and presenting the results to a critical audiencecritical audience

• Take that skill with youTake that skill with you when you finish the when you finish the course and programcourse and program– You won’t forget it in a hurryYou won’t forget it in a hurry– You’ll enjoy the course moreYou’ll enjoy the course more

What Do You Think?What Do You Think?

• If you don’t like it, If you don’t like it, there’s still time for there’s still time for you to enrollyou to enrollin another section in another section taught by anothertaught by anotherinstructorinstructor

AgendaAgenda

TodayToday• See who’s here – take rollSee who’s here – take roll• Give this introductory presentationGive this introductory presentation• Answer any questionsAnswer any questions

TuesdayTuesday• Introduce ourselves to each otherIntroduce ourselves to each other• Form groupsForm groups• Take photos (to help me learn names)Take photos (to help me learn names)• Show you how to enter financial data into SAMShow you how to enter financial data into SAMtwtw

using the OSC caseusing the OSC case

Required TextsRequired Texts

• Stanley C. Abraham, Stanley C. Abraham, Strategic Strategic Planning: A Practical Guide for Planning: A Practical Guide for Competitive Success,Competitive Success, with CD-ROM, with CD-ROM, Thomson South-Western, 2006Thomson South-Western, 2006

• PRIMIS Custom Casebook, 2006, PRIMIS Custom Casebook, 2006, with five cases beginning with Ocean with five cases beginning with Ocean Spray CranberriesSpray Cranberries

The Plan for the QuarterThe Plan for the Quarter

Part I: Learning to use SAM tw on the Ocean Spray

Cranberries case (2 weeks)

Mini-cases, etc. (1-1/2 wks)

Part II: Practicing strategic

analysis—making and

critiquing presentations on

six cases (3 weeks)

Start: Getting underway

(1 week)

Part III: Final group- strategy presentations(1-1/2 weeks)

What Happens What Happens OUTOUT of of ClassClass

• Become familiar with SAMBecome familiar with SAMtwtw and then and then useuse it on cases it on cases and projectand project– Read the Abraham book (esp. Ch 1 and all of Part II) carefullyRead the Abraham book (esp. Ch 1 and all of Part II) carefully– All groups will submit an OSC SAMAll groups will submit an OSC SAMtwtw analysis analysis

• Get to know your group and have a Get to know your group and have a goodgood group group experienceexperience

• Do one group-case presentation (with my help) and one Do one group-case presentation (with my help) and one case critique + SAMcase critique + SAMtwtw analysis analysis

• Do a group-strategic-planning project on a Do a group-strategic-planning project on a realreal company and present it in class at the end of the company and present it in class at the end of the quarter (with my help)quarter (with my help)– Invite the company’s CEO to attend (earn Invite the company’s CEO to attend (earn fivefive bonus pts) bonus pts)

The Net ResultThe Net Result

• You will have to take more responsibility for You will have to take more responsibility for your own learningyour own learning

• The more you do and the harder you try, the The more you do and the harder you try, the more you will learn and the more I’ll help you more you will learn and the more I’ll help you (it’s true)(it’s true)

• You should ask You should ask lotslots of questions of questions allall the time the time– The one thing that will enhance your learning the mostThe one thing that will enhance your learning the most

My RolesMy Roles

• To create a learning environmentTo create a learning environment• To teach you how to do a strategic To teach you how to do a strategic

analysis and use SAManalysis and use SAMtwtw • To facilitate class discussionsTo facilitate class discussions• To provide help and feedback both in To provide help and feedback both in

class and outclass and out– In personIn person during office hoursduring office hours and and in classin class– By phone and e-mailBy phone and e-mail seven days/weekseven days/week

How to Reach MeHow to Reach Me

• Campus office is Room 94-277Campus office is Room 94-277• Campus extension is 2420Campus extension is 2420• Campus e-mail is Campus e-mail is scabrahamscabraham• Home telephone number is in the syllabusHome telephone number is in the syllabus

– But don’t call after 10 PM But don’t call after 10 PM everever (or after 8 PM on (or after 8 PM on Sundays)Sundays)

– NeverNever ask for feedback the day before or day of a ask for feedback the day before or day of a presentationpresentation

My WebsitesMy Websites

• www.csupomona.edu/~scabrahamwww.csupomona.edu/~scabraham• To download the syllabus and handouts, click on <Teaching>, To download the syllabus and handouts, click on <Teaching>,

then scroll down to MHR 410. Print out each one.then scroll down to MHR 410. Print out each one.• A list of handouts appears at the end of the syllabus—check A list of handouts appears at the end of the syllabus—check

you have hardcopies of them allyou have hardcopies of them all• Class evaluations from previous quarters are also available Class evaluations from previous quarters are also available

for you to seefor you to see (last quarter’s not up yet)(last quarter’s not up yet)• Complete the PDS and Complete the PDS and turn in on Tuesdayturn in on Tuesday

• www.futurebydesign.bizwww.futurebydesign.biz• Also reachable by clicking on <consulting> on my academic Also reachable by clicking on <consulting> on my academic

websitewebsite

HandoutsHandouts

• At one time, these were handed out in At one time, these were handed out in classclass

• Now, you download them from my websiteNow, you download them from my website

• Print them outPrint them out (I will check you have hard (I will check you have hard copies of all the handouts on Tuesday)copies of all the handouts on Tuesday)

• ReadRead them them

• UseUse them when doing your assignments them when doing your assignments

GradingGrading

• Try to earn as many points as you canTry to earn as many points as you can– Two SAMTwo SAMtwtw analyses: analyses: 10 pts each = 20 pts10 pts each = 20 pts– Case presentation & critique: Case presentation & critique: 15, 15, 55 ptspts = 20 pts= 20 pts– Quizzes (3): 5 pts each = 15 ptsQuizzes (3): 5 pts each = 15 pts– Participation: 15 ptsParticipation: 15 pts– Group final project: Group final project: 3030 points points– Bonus if CEO attends presentation: 5 ptsBonus if CEO attends presentation: 5 pts

• Compare your total to cutoffs in the syllabusCompare your total to cutoffs in the syllabus– Note that your Note that your group grade (65%)group grade (65%) could be affected by could be affected by

your GCRFyour GCRF

The GCRFThe GCRF

• I assign each of you a I assign each of you a Group Contribution Group Contribution Rating Factor (GCRF)Rating Factor (GCRF) at the end of the at the end of the quarterquarter– Affects the group portion of your grade (65%)Affects the group portion of your grade (65%)– Takes the form of a multiplierTakes the form of a multiplier

• It ranges typically from 0.75 to 1.25It ranges typically from 0.75 to 1.25

– Derived from Derived from confidentialconfidential feedback you give me at feedback you give me at the end of the quarter about your teammates’ the end of the quarter about your teammates’ contributionscontributions

– Designed to motivate high participation and Designed to motivate high participation and meaningful contributions to your group this quartermeaningful contributions to your group this quarter

Participation & AbsencesParticipation & Absences

• For class attendance, For class attendance, 6 points6 points• For asking questions in class, For asking questions in class, especially after especially after

other groups’ presentations,other groups’ presentations, 9 points9 points– Only my perception countsOnly my perception counts

• Over twoOver two ununexcused absences adversely affects excused absences adversely affects your participation gradeyour participation grade

• Over Over fivefive ununexcused absencesexcused absences gets an gets an automatic ‘F’ in the courseautomatic ‘F’ in the course

(Un)excused Absences(Un)excused Absences

• Absences are ‘excused’ whenAbsences are ‘excused’ when• You let me know before (or after) class why you You let me know before (or after) class why you

are going to be (or were) absentare going to be (or were) absent• The reason is reasonable (medical, family The reason is reasonable (medical, family

emergency, accident, Cal Poly trip, etc.) and some emergency, accident, Cal Poly trip, etc.) and some proof can be shownproof can be shown

• All other absences are ‘All other absences are ‘ununexcused’excused’

My Previous Classes . . .My Previous Classes . . .

. . . said they learned most about strategy . . . said they learned most about strategy from (order varies slightly from quarter from (order varies slightly from quarter to quarter)to quarter)

• My coaching and feedbackMy coaching and feedback• Presenting a complete case analysis Presenting a complete case analysis • Learning about strategic analysis on the first Learning about strategic analysis on the first

case in the casebookcase in the casebook• Doing the group-strategy projectDoing the group-strategy project• Critiquing the presentationsCritiquing the presentations

CriticismsCriticisms

• Over the years, I have asked for—and Over the years, I have asked for—and received—criticism about the course and received—criticism about the course and the way it was conductedthe way it was conducted– Such feedback has been instrumental in my Such feedback has been instrumental in my

constantly modifying the course to improve itconstantly modifying the course to improve it– You may review these criticisms in the You may review these criticisms in the

course evaluations from previous quarterscourse evaluations from previous quarters

Selected Compliments Selected Compliments from Previous Classesfrom Previous Classes

[[NoteNote: SAM: SAMtwtw has now replaced CASA] has now replaced CASA]

• ““I liked the final presentations using real-world I liked the final presentations using real-world companies”companies”

• ““We finally applied what we learned at this place to the We finally applied what we learned at this place to the real world”real world”

• ““The CASA tool is excellent and will be a valuable tool The CASA tool is excellent and will be a valuable tool for the future”for the future”

• ““Learning strategic planning is great fun -- a lot of work Learning strategic planning is great fun -- a lot of work but a good learning tool”but a good learning tool”

• ““I learned a lot from your clear feedback on our I learned a lot from your clear feedback on our presentations”presentations”

Selected Compliments from Selected Compliments from Previous Classes (cont.)Previous Classes (cont.)

• ““I learned a lot and was able to apply what I learned I learned a lot and was able to apply what I learned throughout the course”throughout the course”

• ““I like that we interviewed a real company”I like that we interviewed a real company”• ““I enjoyed the real-life application. This course is really I enjoyed the real-life application. This course is really

the capstone of the business core”the capstone of the business core”• ““It was a very good learning experience”It was a very good learning experience”• ““I’ve never had a teacher put in so much of his own time I’ve never had a teacher put in so much of his own time

to help his students. I like the way the whole class to help his students. I like the way the whole class seemed like a family”seemed like a family”


• ““It was realistic and applicable to any business. It forced It was realistic and applicable to any business. It forced me to use things I had learned in school as well as me to use things I had learned in school as well as integrate my work experience. I wish all classes had a integrate my work experience. I wish all classes had a real-world component”real-world component”

• ““I liked the interactive format. Clear on what was I liked the interactive format. Clear on what was expected”expected”

• ““Although very intensive, this class gave an overview of Although very intensive, this class gave an overview of what it would be like to work at a middle-to-upper-what it would be like to work at a middle-to-upper-management level”management level”


• ““The opportunity to be really challenged and The opportunity to be really challenged and think critically. I had heard that other MHR 410 think critically. I had heard that other MHR 410 classes are easier, but frankly I wasn’t classes are easier, but frankly I wasn’t interested in the easy route. I wanted to learn, interested in the easy route. I wanted to learn, and learn I did! The experience was great, but and learn I did! The experience was great, but not without a lot of work”not without a lot of work”

• ““The course gave us a chance to experience a The course gave us a chance to experience a strategic environment; it allowed us to break strategic environment; it allowed us to break down a company and critique it”down a company and critique it”

• ““I liked how the class was taught ‘hands on’”I liked how the class was taught ‘hands on’”


• ““I liked working in a group and that we always had help I liked working in a group and that we always had help from you no matter what”from you no matter what”

• ““This is one course in which I actually learned This is one course in which I actually learned something”something”

• ““This course taught me more about real-world This course taught me more about real-world experiences than other business courses. TRULY A experiences than other business courses. TRULY A REWARDING EXPERIENCE!”REWARDING EXPERIENCE!”

• ““I learned a lot in this course. I now have a better I learned a lot in this course. I now have a better understanding of business strategies as a whole”understanding of business strategies as a whole”

• ““This is not the typical class with little assignments, This is not the typical class with little assignments, multiple-choice quizzes, etc. It makes you think; makes multiple-choice quizzes, etc. It makes you think; makes you analyze and ponder”you analyze and ponder”


• ““The CASA program is one of the best analysis The CASA program is one of the best analysis methods I have learned thus far in college. [It’s] a methods I have learned thus far in college. [It’s] a program I will be able to use in the future as well. In program I will be able to use in the future as well. In fact… I am using [it] to analyze my father’s work and fact… I am using [it] to analyze my father’s work and even business opportunities that my friend and I even business opportunities that my friend and I would like to pursue”would like to pursue”

• ““Thorough and candid feedback was very useful in Thorough and candid feedback was very useful in learning and understanding the material better”learning and understanding the material better”

• ““The course is very interactive. Learning and doing The course is very interactive. Learning and doing can be somewhat painful, and sometimes there’s a can be somewhat painful, and sometimes there’s a delayed learning curve, but it leads to growth”delayed learning curve, but it leads to growth”

A Final WordA Final Word

• Last quarter’s class got off to a Last quarter’s class got off to a veryvery slow slow startstart– Didn’t prepare for the quizzes by reading the Didn’t prepare for the quizzes by reading the

book – book – did poorlydid poorly– Didn’t follow my instructions for the first Didn’t follow my instructions for the first

assignment – assignment – did poorlydid poorly– Didn’t Didn’t read or useread or use the handouts the handouts

• Don’tDon’t follow in their footsteps… follow in their footsteps…

Any Questions?Any Questions?

Documents

MHR 410 Fall 2006 Dr. Stan Abraham A Brief Overview