Pre-reading: Managerial Effectiveness

(A mid-day posting can only mean one thing…it’s “overpriced sandwich day” at Cosi!  As an economist, I can’t say I’m thrilled with their bundling of “free” internet services into a $10 sandwich, but as a marketer I can’t disagree that it’s not an effective technique.)

Right now, I’m finishing up the two-page writing assignment for Managerial Effectiveness, reviewing the IDEO case study.  I won’t go into too much detail since this is a class assignment, but what I can say is that based on this assignment,  Managerial Effectiveness is shaping up to be one of my favorites.

The main idea of the case study is that the IDEO design firm is dramatically different from their competitors, in the same vein of an Apple or Google that re-defined the marketplace.  There are three main questions to answer about the firm:

  • Summarize the firm’s organization, management structure, and culture.  (Basically, a quick rehash of the study with some light analysis and opinion thrown in)
  • What makes an employee want to continue working at a firm like this?
  • Would you accept the terms (timing, scope) of an upcoming project, negotiate to change the terms, or reject the project?

Question #3, obviously, is my favorite.  I love the fact that before I even arrive, I get to play the part of CEO or other upper-level management, deciding the fate of a project.  I’ll leave my answer to the class discussion.

Three more days until London!!!

CCL: Rich Media blog

If it’s Friday night, it must mean…more studying!

Tonight, I spent a bit of time reviewing the “rich media” portion of the CCL pre-reading.  Here, Profs. Boulding and O’Driscoll have provided a compilation of videos and interactive tools to augment the cultural and anthropological readings.  Specifically, the videos focus on two areas:  the research of Dr. Jared Diamond on the development and collapse of civilizations, and the two works by Tom Standage on the role of food and drink throughout history.

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