The Participant is asked to assume the role of an Administrative Assistant in the non-fiction section of the Marketing Department of Somersby Books Ltd, a medium-sized publishing company. Having been with the company for about six months and keen to make their mark in the department, the Participant is producing a sales analysis report which they intend to submit to the Marketing Manager in time for the meeting on the forthcoming product catalogue. The Participant is required to analyse a range of data and produce a presentation which includes their recommendations on which titles to exclude from the catalogue.
Competencies: Interpersonal Sensitivity
Express exercises are condensed versions of their original counterparts. They assess fewer competencies and take less time to both complete and mark.
The Participant assumes the role of a newly appointed manager for Forthton Borough Council and is responsible for Transport Implementation. Central Government have recently cascaded a new directive. The Participant is provided with a range of qualitative and quantitative information. Their role is to analyse the information provided and make recommendations as to how they will implement the Central Government’s Directive at a local level.
This is a dual task exercise that has a focus on creativity. Task 1 requires the Participant to generate ideas to meet the needs of the brief. Task 2 provides more detailed information for the Participant to analyse and then recommend which ideas to pursue.
The Participant assumes the role of a recently appointed Marketing Manager for Brand Marketing in Lockhart International. They are responsible for developing and proposing strategies and corresponding marketing plans for their assigned Brand Portfolio. The Participant is asked to analyse a variety of information regarding the Company, product range, marketing legislation, target market, competitors, market research and stakeholders. They must suggest creative ideas, arrive at well reasoned recommendations, create a plan and convey this information clearly.
The Participant plays the role of a Regional Manager of a recently amalgamated Pharmaceutical Company. Due to the recent merger, the manager is tasked with the total reorganisation of their sales region. They are presented with various information, given in narrative and graphic form, in order to analyse the key issues. These include; products’ sales and potential, competitor information, sales representatives’ performance, and logistical and cultural considerations. The aim is to provide recommendations to the Business Development Manager as to how the region will achieve its overall business objectives.
An Express version of this exercise is now available.
The Participant assumes the role of a Research Officer working for the Education and Self-Improvement Group (ESIG), a public body who provide training initiatives for adults and young people. The Participant must analyse four different training courses and make recommendations to the Head of Procurement as to how to reduce costs to meet the specified ESIG target. The Participant is provided with a range of quantitative and qualitative data and is expected to consider all of the information provided to make a reasoned and objective decision to the Head of Procurement.
As a Senior Consultant to the Board of Wakeham Financial Services, the Participant is asked to advise on the re-organisation of the Company in an effort to reduce costs and improve their speed of service. Detailed information is supplied on the Companys formation, its technical services and the organisation of its cost structure. The analysis is to be presented in the form of a presentation on whether and how to re-organise.
As a HR Officer in Bel-Smith Ltd, a pharmaceutical company, the Participant is required to analyse the results of an Employee Survey and Training Needs Analysis which have recently been conducted by an outside consultancy. In addition the Participant is provided with a report by the consultants recommending certain courses of action based on the results. The Participant is required to analyse all documentation and write a report on the suitability of the recommendations made, along with their own conclusions.
Please note that the following competencies are only assessed within an optional briefing included in this exercise:
Flexibility
Openness to Change
Listening
Persuasive Oral Communication
Interpersonal Sensitivity
Impact
The Participant is required to act as a partner of Chemical Solutions Ltd, a small software house specialising in the design and installation of information systems for the chemical industry. The Company has been invited to tender for a number of contracts, but does not have the resources to undertake all of them. The task is to analyse the enclosed information and to write a report to the Management Committee on which contract option(s) to tender for.
Please note that the following competencies are only assessed within an optional briefing included in this exercise:
Flexibility
Openness to Change
Listening
Persuasive Oral Communication
Interpersonal Sensitivity
Impact
The Participant plays the part of an external Consultant asked to conduct a benchmark analysis of competitive standing in the marketplace for Seagrooves, a watch manufacturer. The Participant is presented with a range of numerical and textual data, including financial performance, market share, staff headcount, budget expenditure profiles, market locations and much more. Participants do not need any knowledge of benchmarking procedures in order to do this Exercise.
Please note that the following competencies are only assessed within an optional briefing included in this exercise:
Flexibility
Openness to Change
Listening
Persuasive Oral Communication
Impact
The Participant assumes the role of Head of Energy for GEM plc, a British-based international retailer. The Board has expressed the desire to proceed with a new initiative to diversify into the lucrative Energy market. The New Business Department has been in negotiation with four Energy suppliers who have been shortlisted as potential commercial partners. The Participant is provided with a range of quantitative and qualitative data about these suppliers and the market place. He/she is expected to analyse these data, to make a clear recommendation on a commercial partner and to draft a business implementation plan.
Please note that the following competencies are only assessed within an optional briefing included in this exercise:
Flexibility
Impact
Interpersonal Sensitivity
Listening
Openness to Change
Persuasive Oral Communication
Stress Tolerance
Written Communication
