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.
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.
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 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.
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
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 presented in the form of a written report containing the recommendations and supporting reasons.
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
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.
Please note that the following competencies are only assessed within an optional briefing included in this exercise:
Flexibility
Impact
Listening
Openness to Change
Persuasive Oral Communication
Written Communication
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.
Please note that the following competencies are only assessed within an optional briefing included in this exercise:
Flexibility
Impact
Interpersonal Sensitivity
Openness to Change
Written Communication
The Participant assumes the role of Procurement Manager for Hampshire Public Health Service Trust. The PHS Trust is re-developing one of its hospital sites and aims to achieve best service delivery and ‘value for money’ through partnership with a private organisation. The Participant is required to analyse a range of numerical and textual information, including a risk allocation matrix, to assess submissions from potential partners. The Participant must provide a considered proposal, making recommendations as to which submissions will be short-listed to the next stage. The Participant does not need any knowledge of procurement procedures in order to complete 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
An Express version of this exercise is now available.
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.
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 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.
Please note that the following competencies are only assessed within an optional briefing included in this exercise:
Flexibility
Impact
Listening
Persuasive Oral Communication
Stress Tolerance
Written Communication
Participants assume the role of Senior Brand Manager in a FMCG company, Unicorn (UK) Ltd, which specialise in personal care and household products. The company has recently sold a subsidiary as it was not regarded as a core business. The Board now has £25 million for reinvestment which has been given to the Marketing Director for promotion and development of existing UK brands. The Marketing Director has asked the Senior Brand Managers to meet and decide how best to use this money. Each Senior Brand Manager has different product briefs containing sales performance data, figures on advertising spend and information on market share in comparison with competitors and is expected to negotiate and agree the best use of the available funds.
