The Participant is asked to assume the role of a Regional Manager for a national retailer. The Participant is required to analyse a range of numerical and textual information, including sales, financial performance and customer feedback. Their task is to provide the Board of Directors with a summary of performance and recommendations for future action.
Competencies: Interpersonal Sensitivity
Participants assume the role of a Management Consultant who has been asked to give a presentation to the Managing Director of a small printing business with several regional offices. Although the business is relatively small in size, there are a number of strategic issues to be considered in terms of how the business can continue to develop. This Exercise places an emphasis on business planning.
The Participant assumes the role of a newly-appointed Director of the Leisure Services Department within a Council. The Chief Executive has asked them to look at current performance across a number of internal divisions within the department, to consider key objectives for the future and to make recommendations for improving performance and for achieving substantial cost savings. In addition, the Participants must indicate their preferred process for communicating the proposed changes to those who will be affected and for gaining their support.
An Express version of this exercise is now available.
Participants assume the role of a Senior Consultant in a large consulting group who, as part of a bid process for a consulting assignment, has to submit their recommendations to the Board of Kashai Inc, a potential client, regarding an organisation-wide Change Programme. The absorption of several new subsidiaries has forced the business to re-evaluate its position in the marketplace, not least to examine creative ways of maximising customer value and generating higher profit margins. The Participant is furnished with all the necessary information which they must analyse in order to provide the Board with comprehensive recommendations.
The Participant assumes the role of a Retail Jewellery Store Manager who has just been appointed as a Store Development Manager, responsible for identifying and reporting the development requirements of a number of stores. The Participant is asked to investigate the reasons underlying the poor sales performance of one of the stores they now have responsibility for. There are a number of significant factors that need to be reviewed in order for the Participant to be able to submit a considered proposal to their Managing Director.
The Participant assumes the role of a Regional Manager for a large book retailer, Malden Books. They are required to review data which has been identified through a number of nationwide audits, analyse the performance of their region and of the organisation in relation to its competitors, and provide recommendations. The Participant is provided with details of the marketplace as a whole, competitor activity, regional performance, staffing information, and surveys from customers and staff. Participants are also asked to consider how their recommendations should be communicated to key stakeholders.
As a consultant to the Managing Director of KC Switches, the Participant is asked to advise on the production strategy for a new type of switch. Also, more generally, recommendations are requested concerning the business and organisation of KC Switches Ltd. Detailed information is supplied on the current product mix and market influences. The analysis is to be delivered in the form of a presentation containing the recommendations and supporting reasons.
Participants assume the role of Operations Director of Porion Group, an international Market Research Company. Porion is considering acquiring one of three smaller companies to further continue its growth strategy and global expansion. Participants must analyse quantitative and qualitative data, choose one option and justify their recommendation to the CEO. Participants must also consider any practicalities to ensure the acquisition proceeds smoothly.
The Participant assumes the role of Project Manager at Arion Capital, a leading provider of life insurance, pensions and asset management services. The Company, which was formed following a merger, is currently going through considerable change. The Participants role is to manage the implementation of a new e-learning system. They must analyse information and make recommendations as to which supplier or suppliers should be chosen to undertake the system implementation. The information provided is both qualitative and quantitative and includes company details, financial and cost data and associated risks and benefits.
An Express version of this exercise is now available.
The Participant assumes the role of Head of Commercial Operations at Redisso, a medium-sized software solutions business. A Non-Executive Director on Redisso’s Board has voiced concerns about declining profit margins and highlighted a need to re-structure the business and realign its growth strategy. The Participant must carry out a detailed review of Redisso’s financial and commercial performance and set out recommendations for how this might be improved in the short, medium and long term.
An Express version of this exercise is now available.
