b a c k n e x th o m e

GBA 687/8Winter 2006

A Brief Overview

Dr. Stan Abraham

MHR Dept.

b a c k n e x th o m e

Prerequisites (just for my info)

To enroll in the course, you MUST have taken:

GBA 537/8 GBA 615/6 GBA 645/6 GBA 628/9

b a c k n e x th o m e

Same Old, Same Old . . .

Most courses on strategic management teach you ABOUT the topic and how companies fare using different strategies

The textbook costs up to $120 You’re tested on this knowledge in a

mid-term and final exam:– You forget everything a week later

b a c k n e x th o m e

This Course’s Focus

To learn what is involved in doing a strategic analysis

To acquire the skill of doing a strategic analysis and presenting the results to a critical audience

Take that skill with you when you finish the course and program– You won’t forget it in a hurry– You’ll enjoy it more

b a c k n e x th o m e

Plus, You Will . . .

Have an unusual opportunity to attend a first-rate conference on Strategy in Action—Lessons from Practice right in our own backyard (Long Beach, CA) (more later)

Try to integrate a new strategic concept into your strategy software

b a c k n e x th o m e

What Do You Think?

Do you like the course’s focus? Thoughts?

b a c k n e x th o m e

What We Will Do Today

See who’s here – take roll Discuss syllabus and expectations

(this presentation) Introduce ourselves to each other Form groups Take photographs Answer questions

b a c k n e x th o m e

The Other Ten Class Sessions

2. Learn about strategic analysis— long lecture, so plan to stay late

3-8. Practice on the six remaining cases in class, one per week

9. Discussion on conference and course books

10-11. Demonstrate your ability—Final group presentations

b a c k n e x th o m e

What Happens OUT of Class

Read the Abraham book, become familiar with SAMtw, and use SAMtw on cases and the final project

Write the strategic-thinking paper Prepare each of the cases in the casebook Do a group-strategy project on a real company

– Give a final presentation in class– Write a case study for future classes

Apply the strategic concepts of the Lele book to the SAMtw software in a creative exercise

Attend the ASP 2006 conference and submit a report (GBA 688)

b a c k n e x th o m e

The Net Result

There’s lots to do in a short quarter You must take more responsibility for your

own learning The more you do and the harder you try,

the more you will learn and the more I will help you

You should ask lots of questions all the time– the one thing that will enhance your learning the

most

b a c k n e x th o m e

My Roles

To create a learning environment To facilitate class discussions To provide help and feedback both

in class and out– In person (before and after class)– By phone and e-mail seven days a

week

b a c k n e x th o m e

How to Reach Me

Campus office is Room 94-277 Campus extension is 2420 Campus e-mail is scabraham (also gets

forwarded to me at home) Home telephone number is in the

syllabus– Don’t call after 10 PM (or after 8 PM on Sunday)– Don’t ask for feedback the day before (or day of) a

presentation

b a c k n e x th o m e

Grading

Try to earn as many points as you can in GBA 687

– Leading case phases (@ 10 ea) = 30 points– Group assignment using Lele book = 15 points– Participation = 15 points– Group project presentation = 20 points– Group written case study = 20 points

The 85 “group” points (blue) are subject to modification by your GCRF

The one-unit conference report for GBA 688 is graded separately

b a c k n e x th o m e

Participation Grade (15 points)

For class attendance, 6 points For participating in general discussions

and asking questions after others’ presentations, 9 points– Only my perception counts (after week 3)

More than one unexcused absence will adversely affect your participation grade

More than four unexcused absences earns an automatic ‘F’ in the course

b a c k n e x th o m e

Required Books

Abraham book and companion CD-ROM– Key to doing a strategic analysis– Read Parts 1 and 2 within the first four weeks– Familiarize yourself with SAMtw (CD-ROM)

Custom Casebook– We will do all four cases– Download two others from my website– Brings the real world into the classroom

Lele book (entails an assignment) De Kluyver/Pearce book is optional

– Complements my book

b a c k n e x th o m e

The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP)

A professional association that I co-founded in October 1999, was President in 2003-04, and currently serve on the board

Rose out of the ashes of the bankrupt Strategic Leadership Forum

Last year became a national organization with chapters

The Los Angeles Chapter meets at the Renaissance Hotel near LAX on second Tuesday of each month

www.strategyplus.org Student memberships available (great deal)

b a c k n e x th o m e

2006 Conference

Theme: “Strategy in Action – Lessons from Practice”

Date: Tuesday February 28, 2006 Location: Grand Hotel, Long Beach Cost: $100 if register by Jan 6th

Cost: $125 if register after Jan 6th Register online (see top) So valuable that I’m creating a graded

assignment based on attending it

www.strategyplus.org

b a c k n e x th o m e

Any Questions?