This document provides an overview and guidance for case competitions. It discusses the typical structure of case competitions which involve teams of 4 students preparing and presenting a case over 3 hours. It then provides tips for effective storytelling and analyzing cases. The document outlines the typical structure for analyzing a case which includes an introduction, problem statement, analysis, alternatives, implementation, and financials. It provides examples and guidance for each section. Overall, the document is intended to prepare students for participating in case competitions by providing guidance on analyzing cases and effectively presenting the analysis.

2. Agenda
• Overview
• Case Competitions
• Introduction
• Section Highlights
• Q&As
• Hints ‘n Tips

3. Case Competitions
• Teams of 4 students (most cases)
• MBA International Case Competition
– 3 hours prep
– 25 minute presentation
– 15 minutes of Q&A
• Research competitions
– Longer case
– 20-30 minute presentation
– 20-30 minutes of Q&A

4. Storytelling 101
• Every good story has a beginning,
a middle and an end
– Effective means of communication
• Focus on the lessons
– Make sure everyone understands
• Consider the flow of your
arguments and analysis
• Tell a good story!

5. Case Analysis Structure
• Introduction
– Problem statement
• Analysis
– Internal and External
• Alternatives
• Implementation
• Financials
– Financial health & forecasting

6. Introduction
• Effective opener
– Charismatic speaker
• Content
– Identify audience
• Who are you presenting to?
– Introduce team
– Provide context

7. Problem Statement
• It’s not given
• It’s not a symptom
• It’s the root of the issues
• Put it into context
– Because of factor A and factor B,
problem X exists

8. External Analysis

9. Example: External Analysis
Unattractive
Industry
Low entry
barriers
Suppliers
and buyers
are strong
Many
product
substitutes
Intense
rivalry
Growth Necessity

10. Internal Analysis
Physical
Resources
Technological
Resources
Human
Resources
Organizational
Resources
Innovation
Resources
Reputational
Resources
Financial
Resources

11. Internal Analysis
• Core competencies
– Valuable
– Rare
– Costly to imitate
– Non-substitutable
• SWOT Analysis (Back-up)
– Internal lessons highlight Strengths and
Weaknesses
– External lessons highlight Opportunities
and Threats

12. Internal Financials
• Solvency
– Debt/Equity
– Debt Ratio
• Liquidity
– Quick Ratio (low means high risk)
– Current Ratio
– Times Interest Earned
• Profitability
– Profit Margin
– EPS (Earnings per Share)
– P/E ratio (Price/Earnings)
– ROA (Return on Assets)

13. Alternatives
• Options to solve the problem
derived from the key points of the
analysis
• Usually 3 or more presented
• Clearly identify criteria to assess all
alternatives
• Build your story to lead audience to
your recommendation

14. Example: Alternatives
Criteria Leave Fiji Progressive
Tax
Halfsies
Reputation of
Fiji Water
+ + +
Welfare of
Fijians
- / +
Advantage for
government
- + +
Profitability - - +
Sustainability - / +

15. Recommendation
One of the alternatives that
directly addresses most or all
of the issues identified in the
problem statement

16. Implementation
• Action plan to resolve the Problem
Statement
• Identify goals
– Aligned with your strategy
• Short-, Medium- and Long-term
– 1-5 years, or 1-20 years, depending on
industry benchmarks
• Consider value chain, risk &
mitigation, financial forecasts

17. Example: Implementation
0-1 year 1-5 years 5-10 years
Protect Strategy
(PC,
Developed Market)
Attack Strategy
(PC+,
Emerging Markets)
Develop encryption to allow for
enterprise synergy bundle*
Acquire HP (increase
Americas market share)
Branding marketing campaign to increase Lenovo brand awareness
and loyalty (Highlight new addition to the family: HP)
Brand campaign in India to push Lenovo
premium line**
Begin distribution of PC in
Brazil (emerging market)
Build e-commerce portal on Lenovo
site to serve Brazil market
Launch a social media campaign
to build brand awareness in Brazil
Run ongoing social media presence to engage and retain
customers, while building brand loyalty
Set up supply chain in Brazil through CCE to
establish local supply chain
Maintain presence in India with current product mix
of premium and low-cost smartphones and tablets
* For small and medium businesses: includes office supplies (HP printers & monitors), Lenovo smart device integration (print
from phone or tablet anywhere), enterprise data network & storage solutions, all encrypted communications, one-stop-shop
** Over time, the disposable income in emerging markets will increase, demand for premium devices will increase, Lenovo will
be well-positioned to meet the demand; Campaign launch during the Indian Premier League in May 2018 ($65 Mil USD)

18. Example: Implementation
Immediate Term
Get Licensee
Agreements
• Negotiate with
Disney
• Use Developing
Duplo as leverage
• Secure other
licensee agreements
Short Term
Develop Duplo
& Online Serv.
• R&D
• Development Focus
• Online tracking of
development
Medium Term
Sell to Parents
& Schools
• Promote benefits of
online service
• Marketing campaign
launch
Long Term
Enhance Service
• Issue annual
development reports
• Tentatively enter new
markets
• Extend Development
services

19. Closing
• Review the problem
• State your solution
• Remind the audience how your
solution solves their problem… and
more
• Be EXCITED – you just solved a
problem!

20. Q&A
• Prepare with back-up slides
• Team has to stick together
– Make sure everyone is on board
• One person answers the question
– An important point needs to be made
in case of “add-on”
– Establish who takes the question
• Beware! Leading questions

21. Hints ‘n Tips
• Keep it simple – less is more
• Back-up slides to the rescue
• Use diagrams and pictures
• Make sure you have a clicker
• Do not put your hands in your
pockets
– Watch your body language

22. Thank you!

23. Upcoming Events
• NUS Cerebration
– September 19
• Case Comp Try-Outs
– September 27
• Loblaws Internal Case Comp
– October 6 or 7
• Sharp Presentations Workshop
– October 10