Teacher Materials

1. SkimaTalk Official Course
Advanced Improvisation – Business Problems
Lesson 2: Smartphone Launch Decision

2. Story: Smartphone Launch Decision
2
XYZ Industries is planning to launch a new, low price smartphone. You are responsible for
deciding in which country to launch the phone. Your boss has made it clear that the
success of the launch will be measured by how many phones you sell in the launch market.
You are deciding between 3 markets. The relevant information for each market is listed in
the table below:
(FictionalData) United States India Philippines
Population 300 Million 1.2 Billion 100 Million
Average Income High Low / Medium Low / Medium
% of Population w/
Smartphones
65% 10%; growing fast 20%
Demand for Low Price
Phones
Low High High
English Fluency High Medium High
Teacher Instructions:
Ask the student to read the story out loud, then discuss the questions on the next page.

3. Task 1
3
1. Based on the information provided, which market do you think the
company should choose for the initial launch of the new smartphone?
Why?
2. Why do you think it would be a bad idea to launch in the other markets?
3. Is there any additional information that would help you make a better
decision?
Questions
Teacher version only

4. Task 2
4
Additional Information:
XYZ’s market research firm just delivered the results of its recent market study. The key
findings are:
l XYZ Industries won’t be able to make much money selling the phone in India
because people in India can only afford a very low price for the phone.
l The U.S. and Philippines can afford a higher price than India.
Teacher version only
Follow-up Questions
1. Does this new information change your decision about where to launch the
phone? Why or why not?
Teacher Instructions:
1. Tell the student that you are going to reveal some additional information for the story.
2. Read the additional information to the student.
3. Discuss the follow-up questions.

5. Task 3
5
Additional Information:
The day before the launch decision, the CEO of XYZ Industries stops by your desk and
says, “Great job on the new smart phone, I can’t wait to see the phone create lots of
profit for the company.”
Teacher version only
Follow-up Questions
1. Does this new information change your decision about where to launch the
phone? Why or why not?
Teacher Instructions:
1. Tell the student that you are going to reveal some additional information for the story.
2. Read the additional information to the student.
3. Discuss the follow-up questions.

6. Task 4
6
Teacher version only
1. In business, it is critical that all employees are working towards the
same goals. But as we saw in this lesson, sometimes there is
miscommunication about goals and priorities.
2. Can you think of a time in your job where there was a
miscommunication about company goals and priorities?
3. What steps could you take with your boss to ensure the goals are clear?
Discussion
Teacher Instructions:
1. Read the first paragraph and then discuss the questions.

7. 7
End of Lesson
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