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 is asked to assume the role of a Financial Controller for an international management consultancy. They are presented with financial information about the recent performance of a number of business units and are required to write a report summarising their findings and recommendations for The Board. The Exercise places great emphasis on numerical analysis in a commercial setting as the Participant is given a range of numerical and textual information including a number of balance sheets and profit & loss accounts.
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.
The Participant assumes the role of a Government Analyst. The task is to provide reasoned advice on policy regarding state pensions. Detailed information is provided for projected effects of changes in tax and demographics and values of the Organisation to which the Participant belongs. The information is presented in various forms, graphs, tables, Government Papers, advisory documents and newspaper articles. Content is highly complex, but specialist knowledge of financial services or past Government policy is not required. There is no simple right answer, the Participant must provide a reasoned solution.
The Participant assumes the role of Head of the Location Review Team for Zendopharma, a global pharmaceutical business. The Board has expressed the desire to move the head office location, currently in Chicago, USA. Three possible options have been identified, and the Participant is provided with qualitative and quantitative information relating to the options including employee and customer surveys, recruitment and relocation costs. The Participant is expected to analyse this material and make a recommendation balancing the needs of employees, customers and investors.
The Participant assumes the role of a Trainee Manager working for a new public sector agency, ‘The Wellbeing Agency’. Participants are presented with a range of qualitative and quantitative information relating to a possible promotion the agency may launch called ‘Swim a s-Mile’. Participants must make recommendations relating to the content and medium of the promotion, the nature of any risks and the costs associated with such an event, and make recommendations regarding how best to proceed.
This exercise is a parallel version of The Fundraising Manager.
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
