Pre-Group Cases

Gap  

   Ben & Jerry's

Chrysler Minivan

Burger King

Group Cases

See eSyllabus for titles. All cases are based on common knowledge of the brands and no specific articles or write ups are needed.

How to do cases in 6m:147

Students in 6M:147 learn to solve marketing problems using a tool called the Problem Solving Format, which is part of the QuickStart Kit. Every week this logical approach to solving marketing problems is applied to real brands. For the first few weeks these cases are done by the whole class. Then student groups make presentations using the Problem Solving Format as a guide.

The presentations in Marketing Management are informal in the sense that they are not graded per se. What is graded are the PowerPoint Notes. Thus, groups have the opportunity to make changes after the presentation based on feedback given in class by fellow students and the instructor.

The papers are written following the Project Guidelines that are also available in the QuickStart Kit. Group members are asked to hand in the group evaluation forms with their Notes. The papers are due one week following the presentation. Notes will not be accepted without all group member evaluation forms and the Instructor's feedback form. Special arrangements can be made to hand in the Notes later if interviews or other professional commitments make finishing the paper one week after the presentation less than desirable.

How the cases are graded

The cases are graded by using a point system that reflects understanding of the logic of the Problem Solving Format. Since the same issues are discussed on each case analysis or presentation day, it is expected that group members will be familiar with how to explain the so-called "transitions" between slides. Any student or group that is unsure of what these transitions are can get help before the presentation from the instructor or teaching assistant or after the presentation from How to Use the PSF on the course Web site or the Problem Solving Format itself in the QuickStart Kit. An additional resource—and a good one since they represent "A" work—is the set of group presentations below.

Any "errors" of omission or commission that remain in the paper after the presentation constitute the primary way that the group work is graded on a curve.

The class follows the suggestion of the business community to develop skills in effective communication by requiring that Notes be well written. This includes grammar, spelling and, certainly, proofreading. Papers falling short of this requirement will have lower grades.

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