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How do to Case Analysis in 5 easy steps: Read Case: 1. What is the…
How do to Case Analysis in 5 easy steps:
Read Case:
1. What is the problem/opportunity?
2. What are some possible solutions/alternatives? (pick ~3)
3. Analyze each of the solutions using data & a framework.
4. Sell audience on why you chose your particular solution.
5. Describe how implementation would work using data & visuals (ROI, break-even, revenue projection, etc.).
As with all assignments, I will be looking for critical thought in your analysis and decision factors.
Example:
For #1: “Clearly articulate the problem factors and potential alternatives (not all are listed in the case).” This could include such problem factors and alternative as:
“What is needed to ensure Home Depot can leverage its key resources and capabilities to compete in the omni-channel environment, which Home Depot referred to as “an interconnected environment”? How could the company ensure its interconnected strategy provided a seamless customer journey while keeping Home Depot as a market leader in the do-it-yourself (DIY) industry? To compete effectively in the ever-changing retail business environment, Home Depot’s executives would need to understand the company’s major customer segmentsincluding what these segments valued in the moment and how this might change in the future. They also need to know who Home Depot’s major competitors were and how the company could compete against both traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and online-only retailers. How should Home Depot leverage its brick-and-mortar and online channels: what role should each channel play and how did the characteristics of each channel help Home Depot gain a competitive advantage?
For #2: “Market and competitive analysis which will inform the strategy for” This could include such analysis as:
Who are Home Depot’s major competitors? How does the company compete with traditional brick-and-mortar retailers versus online-only retailers?
For #3: “analysis of the decision factors and outcome(s) for each.”
What role should online channels fill? What role should brick-and-mortar channels fill? How should Home Depot best leverage the distinct characteristics of the online and in-store channels to gain a competitive advantage?
For #4: “Finally, explain a practical plan for implementing the chosen alternative.”
What are the current challenges and future considerations for Home Depot in providing a seamless customer experience? What are the implications for the different functional areas (e.g., marketing, finance, purchasing, warehousing, transportation, store operations)? How should the company prioritize future investments?
How to do case work – Further Clarification
Critical Thinking:
For the case assignments, there are no right or wrong answers. The cases are designed for developing critical thinking abilities in relation to real-world marketing situations. I am interested in hearing your own unique and original thoughts about the case issues.
As the syllabus states: “This [case] approach to study presents the student with the same challenges all decision-makers face today the human factors, with financial and physical resource constraints and incomplete information. The issues considered are relevant, intellectually and emotionally engaging, and highly interactive. This process creates a challenging learning environment encouraging you, as student, to share your opinions and perspectives and to learn from others in the class.”
Please keep this in mind when answering the case questions. There are NO right or wrong answers, only answers that show you have read the case and thought about the issues.
Problem Statement:
At the start of every case, the character is facing a crises and needs an alternative course of action for the situation. There are usually several alternative options presented in the case, but there are also other options which could be possible – even options not presented in the case, including doing nothing.
Think through the underlying problem. Is the problem “declining sales” or is declining sales a result of the underlying problem? As with all market research, it’s hard to ask the right questions until you understand the real problem.
Alternative analysis:
What are the pros and cons of each alternative? How did you arrive at your choice? What data did you use? How will your chosen alternative affect the outcome?
Use the marketing framework on the alternative(s) in order to demonstrate how/why it would work (or not work) – as opposed to the company in general. How would the chosen alternative affect the customers (5 C’s)? The Price (7 P’s)? The market reaction (5 Forces)? Etc. Those frameworks force you to look at cause/effect rather than a static assessment. Example: “Chosen alternative would affect Customers in xx way (5 C’s). Chosen alternative would need be in xx Place (or multichannel) (7 P’s), etc.” Be sure to use a marketing framework which takes the individual factors of cases into account.
Implementation:
Good practical steps for implementing the chosen alternative. Imagine you are making a formal recommendation to the client. Why should they do it? Should their product change or stay the same? What returns could they expect? What is the possible ROI?
Show the data to support your chosen alternative and recommendation. Example: “Lastly, this alternative can be implemented in xx way, with an xx data outcome.”
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United States (includin g the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and
the territories of the US Virgin Islands and lGuam], lCanada, and
Mexico, with over 400,000 associates. [in average, eac…
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HOME DEP?T’S PRIMARY CUSTOMER. GROUPS Home Depot
served three primary customer segments and used different
approaches to meet the needs of each customer segm…
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ME”!r RESOURCES AND TIMELINE One of Home Depot’s
greatest assets was its more than 2,2DD stores. At its inception,
the company focused on a rapid growth strategy in the…
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However, since digital isn”‘t personalized by the store, we
don’t always know what to expect on the weeks that we don’t use
?yers. ABBDTI. I get it. 1When we ?rst tested droppin…
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customers have bought online for in-store pickup. Right now, the
general consensus is that we have to stage these orders in the
front of our stores because storing them in back is inc…
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DESTEFAND. While 1 see your concern, we need to accept the
realityr that customers increasingly desire onestop shopping
experiences. Just look at the growth of competitors, n…
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EXHIBIT 3: THE HOME DEPOT-MOBILE SHOPPING LOCATE
PRODUCT & CHECK Ar INVENTORY $242- in $104-
Product locator displays a map of the store, the exact …
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