The Participant assumes the role of a Trainee Store Manager working for a major international retailer, EuroBargain, which has numerous hypermarkets across Europe. They are presented with a range of qualitative and quantitative information relating to past store performance and current retail trends and their task is to analyse the data in order to plan for the upcoming season. The Participant must make recommendations regarding products, staffing and profit in order to maximise one particular store’s market position.
Competencies: Problem Analysis
The Participant is asked to take on the role of a Project Manager within EsTeal plc, a multi-national organisation. They are presented with information relating to two projects and have been given limited resources with which to complete them. They are asked to analyse the information and write a report recommending a division of resources. Participants do not require any knowledge of Project Management in order to complete this Exercise.
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.
The Participant assumes the role of Head of Development at Alpha Plastics, a global manufacturing company. Alpha Plastics is looking to expand into Asia in the coming year and there are two locations to choose between for a new site. The Participant’s role is to analyse the information collected to date and to recommend which site should be chosen and then resource the project. Information provided includes company details, Corporate Social Responsibility policies, industry trends and local area data. The Participant is also required to recommend a team to manage and deliver the project taking into account expertise, individual development needs and budget constraints.
An Express version of this exercise is now available.
Participants assume the role of a call centre Team Leader at First Line Finance, a financial services provider. They are presented with detailed information including the quality of the team members telephone calls, sales figures and future targets. Their task is to analyse the information and devise a plan for use as a brief at the next team meeting in order to increase the motivation and performance of their team.
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.
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.
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.
