Case Study Preparation

Rachel Power
LSE Careers Service
Case studies are increasingly widely used
in recruitment
Consulting management, economic
Marketing new products, market growth
Finance acquisitions, new ventures
Digital industries new idea launch
Energy exploration of new markets
Non-profit improving outcomes
 Case study used to assess
motivation, fit and skills
Problem
Interpersonal Leadership
solving
analyse communicate impact,
breadth & get to point confidence
depth collaborate maturity
logical relate at comfort with
structure different ambiguity
quantitative levels drive &
integrate enthusiasm
 Maths practice
The number of wi-fi hot spots in US last year
was 72,000: up 60% from year before.
How many wi-fi hot spots were there the year
before?

practise percentages, decimal points, fractions

without calculator
 Types of case studies
Market sizing
Business issues
Profit improvement
Industry analysis
Market entry
Starting new company
Developing new products
Data analysis
5 slides of info, findings & recommendations
 How to approach case study interview
Do not jump to a solution!
Clarify understand the problem, paraphrase
Structure first Ill look at, then (breadth)
Analyse gather and analyse facts -develop
problem (depth)
Conclude brief summary, integrate,
solutions with trade offs
Think out loud & take notes engage
interviewer
 Structure
What sort of problem is it?
Phrases such as improve profitability enter
the x market, manufactures jet engines. It is
desirable industry to be in?
Opening question: how would you approach
this?
Or
First Id like you to. specific
 Profitability structure
to understand what has happened to profitability Ill
use
Profit = revenue costs formula

this will help understand whether decline in profits is

due to
loss in revenues (price x volume)
or
increase in costs (fixed costs + variable costs)
 Enter new
market

External Internal
factors factors

state of
industry competitors customers
business
 Your structure v frameworks
Structure & headings Frameworks dont force
Profitability: P= R C Porters 5 forces
Enter market: 4 Cs
financials Kotlers 4 Ps
market growth
competition
government/reg
Cost benefit analysis
SWOT
 Tips for case study interview
Take clean notes figures, structure
Ask questions and listen to answers
Dont worry if you get figures wrong, continue
Maintain eye contact
Think out loud logical process matters
Dont force a framework
Conclude = you are going to meet the client,
what would you say, NOT a description of
everything you have considered
Recommendations trade offs
 Estimates and brainteasers
Estimate the number of petrol stations in the
UK

Number of tennis balls you can fit into a

jumbo jet

Why are manholes round?

 Estimate the number of petrol
stations in the UK
Possible answer
65 million people in UK
1 car every 5 people = 13m cars
500 cars each petrol station
13m / 500 = 26,000
 Tips for estimates
Use round figures
Assumptions are all important, most sensitive
General knowledge - populations
Formulae
Volume of sphere / cube
 Kensington Deli
Our client is high quality delicatessen, in
West London. It also sells home cooked
ready made meals. It has experienced a
downturn in profits over last 2 years.

The client would like to know how to

improve profits.
 Kensington Deli
Clarify
What is question?

What is question that hasnt been articulated?

 Kensington Deli
Structure
to understand what has happened to profitability Ill
use
Profit = revenue costs formula
this will help understand whether decline in profits is
due to:
loss in revenues (price x volume)
or
increase in costs (fixed costs + variable costs)
 Kensington Deli
Structure 1
Revenues and costs

Structure 2
Products/Pricing, Competitors, Customers
 You can prepare for case study
interviews
Firms websites
Read business news
Brush up your maths (formulae, percentages)
Practise with friend, group
Friend interviewer, evaluate under headings
and give you feedback
 Resources
Wetfeet Ace the Case, Vault guide to case studies
Business Schools: Harvard, Wharton, Chicago
The Case Study Handbook, William Ellet
Case in Point, Mark P Consentino
http://www.casequestions.com
McKinsey, Bain, BCG etc
www.mbacase.com