Page 3 - Ice Breaker Case

The Ice Breaker Case

Introduction

The following introductory, ice breaker business case

study, takes between one and one - and - a half hours to

complete with the class. It is an attempt to demystify the
case method in the eyes of the students. It allows the

lecturer to visually construct a solution drawing on the

interpretation of each paragraph by the class but
augmented by the lecturer. In addition, on student

prompts, the lecturer constructs an analysis drawing on

common diagnostic tools and their interpretation to aid the

assessment of the company’s current and future
competitive position. Essentially, it is an attempt to read

between the lines, to pick out the critical elements and build

a solution that the students can take a measure of

ownership from.

Moreover, the process aims to enable students to construct

their own solutions to future cases by applying the same
questioning and relationship building steps without being

mired in the all too rigorous application of accepted

diagnostic tools advocated in their course literature. These
tools should and must be adapted to circumstances existent

in the case study under examination. In a sense the lecturer

is trying to show by example and the process of questioning

and adaptation that the mantra for students should be

‘don’t do as I say do as I do!’ both look, see and comprehend.

Learn by example but adapt where necessary.