Participants take on the role of Branch Managers in the Financial Services Division of Universal Life, an insurance company. They are meeting to discuss several issues that the firm faces. These include strategies for targeting key markets, the analysis of performance figures, the introduction of a customer service charter which goes beyond meeting compliance regulations, and ideas for improving the effectiveness of the recruitment of Financial Advisors. The group is expected to prepare recommendations for subsequent review by the Regional Director.
Competencies: Flexibility
Participants form a team of Area Sales Managers at a software company, DataSure. They have been asked by the Regional Sales Manager to discuss a number of typical sales issues and to make recommendations on how these issues should be handled. The issues include problems to do with customer service, sales administration, sales performance and general sales policies.
As an Area Sales Manager for a large food and beverage company, Supreme Cuisine, the Participant has been tasked with launching a new product into a test market. Using the information provided, they must prepare a presentation for the National Sales Manager, outlining their launch strategy in terms of who they intend to target and exactly how they will promote and market the new product effectively.
The Participant is asked to assume the role of a Team Leader heading up a team of machine operatives. Their challenge is based on the need to meet an extremely tight deadline for a very important contract recently secured from a new customer. The task involves planning how to utilise the available labour whilst working within certain constraints.
The Participant is the Head of the Administration Department at Bacchus Distribution, a national distributor to the soft drinks trade. The Participant has been asked to gather data on the way records are processed in the department and deliver a presentation to their line manager on a potential efficiency improvement. The brief contains background information on the existing process, results of a method study and some comments from team members which in total suggest a way forward.
As a graduate, seconded to Rutledge & Paul, a realtively small academic publisher, the Participant must gather data on a potential office move for the Organisation. The brief contains a variety of background data on the two most likely choices and the Participant, having reviewed this information is required to prepare and deliver a presentation to the Managing Director.
The Participant assumes the role of a Trainee Manager working for a new public sector agency, the Wellbeing Agency. Participants are coming together for a management review meeting which has four main issues on the agenda. Issues include a financial review of particular projects against budget, a discussion regarding a new Wellbeing Advice Line, a debate dealing with tailoring messages to suit different target audiences, and generating ideas on how to deal with recent negative stories in the press.
Participants assume the role of Directors of the Board of a large IT company, Pro-Tech Solutions- who are meeting to discuss several issues that have arisen as the result of an employee opinion survey. The Participants are provided with information about employee satisfaction in relation to productivity and efficiency, training, pay and conditions, communication and the organisation’s strategy. The Board is expected to prepare recommendations that can be presented to the CEO at a later date.
Participants are members of a buying team for a large retail department store, Super Shades, who are responsible for the selection and buying of a popular and profitable range of sunglasses sold in their store. Due to the current supplier becoming bankrupt, the buyers have to decide which one of the four other possible suppliers they are going to place their urgent order with. The Participants need to discuss all the pros and cons for each supplier and come to a considered decision by the end of the meeting.
Participants assume the role of Apprentice Motor Mechanics working for William Scott, a garage franchise. Participants are gathering for their monthly meeting to discuss how they can overcome current issues affecting their roles. They are faced with four key items which they are required to discuss and make recommendations for their managers. The issues include Health & Safety, meeting targets, handling customer problems and internal working relationships.
