Each Participant is given the role of Divisional Manager of a different section of the Utilities Agency, who provide central procurement services for other Government departments. Participants are meeting to bid for their share of the divisional budget and must submit their recommendation at the end of the meeting to the Head of Finance, who is unable to attend. Each Participant is supplied with a budget breakdown and supporting material as to why their projects should be funded. Consensus needs to be reached by the end of the meeting or the Head of Finance will decide.
Competencies: Problem Analysis
As a new Management Trainee at a leading white goods manufacturer, Vortex Ltd, the Participant has been asked to investigate and recommend whether or not to renew the existing catering contract with Gourmet Catering Services. Their specific task is to weigh up the relative pros and cons of staying with the current supplier versus alternatives. In particular, quality, value and customer satisfaction need to be considered along with the preferences of the various company departments.
The Participant, an employee at Country Road Homeworks, a medium-sized soft furnishings company, is asked to see the Customer Services Manager. The need has arisen to contact an unhappy customer on an issue related to the service given during the purchase of a lounge room suite. The Participant needs to gather all the available information to accurately assess the situation before they contact the disgruntled customer.
The Participant assumes the role of a newly appointed Project Director for a large civil engineering/construction company called Centurion Design & Construction. The Participant is asked to investigate a request for a Project Manager working for a subcontractor to be dismissed from the Kingsmead Shopping Centre Project. There are a number of significant factors that need to be identified and considered in order for the Participant to be able to make their decision regarding the request.
The Participant takes on the role of a newly appointed Production Manager of Hermitage Office Furniture Ltd, responsible for production, warehousing and distribution. The issue for investigation is whether or not performance of the Warehouse Foreman justifies disciplinary action. The Participant must ask questions to elicit information on the events surrounding the situation and on company policy to help them make a decision.
The Participant takes on the role of a newly appointed Compensation and Benefits Manager for Kavanah Hawley, a manufacturer of exclusive beauty products. The Participant is tasked with deciding whether or not Kavanah Hawley should withdraw company cars from its staff benefits package. This exercise requires the Participants to consider both the needs of the business and the people who work in it, in order to make a reasoned decision.
The Participant, in the role of a Management Consultant, has been asked to collect information about the prospective relocation of a business to new premises. Premier Business Systems is a relatively small software company and the Participant is required to identify relevant issues, consider relocation options and make an appropriate recommendation.
The Participant, an employee at MP Pumps, has been asked to go and see the company Production Manager who is concerned about their inability to meet the production schedule. The Participant needs to gather all the available information to accurately assess the situation before recommending which piece of equipment would be the most beneficial for the Production Manager.
As a newly-appointed Director at Universal Motors, a major motor manufacturer, the Participant faces an appeal for support from a senior member of staff, relating to a research project that the previous incumbent had not supported. The issue that is reflected by the research has strategic significance for the future of the company.
The Participant assumes the role of Operations Director in Pharmcare Technology, a large pharmaceutical company. They are asked to make a recommendation as to whether or not a division of the Company should be closed down. This exercise reflects the sort of strategic decisions that often need to be taken at an Executive level.
