COURSE #: 497

SECTION: 30

COURSE NAME: Special Topics/IE  The New General Manager

INSTRUCTOR: William J White

CASEPACK (YES or NO?) : Yes

FIRST ASSIGNMENT: THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER - INDIVIDUAL CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

All case written assignments should be no more that one-half page long.  Just include the key points to your response in bullet form.

Class 1: Introduction to General Management                                Monday April 30

Objective:        What are the risks of becoming a GM? What do you need to know and do?

Read:      ·    When a New Manager Takes Charge

·         Clair McCloud, Posted on BlackBoard

Answer the following questions:

1.  Who, if anyone, should Claire talk to before she gives the Colonel her answer?

2.  What are the risks of taking the job? Of not taking it?

3.  Put yourself in her situation. Should she take the job? Why?   Would you take the job?  Why?

Class 2: The New General Manager                                                 Thursday May 3

Objective:        Begin to understand the importance of the general manager. Determine how fast the new GM can initiate change.

Read:    ·     Demand Better Results and Get Them

·         Lyric Dinner Theater (A), HBS case No. 9-386-056

Submit your written answer to question #4.  You may use the other questions to prepare for our class discussion:

1.        How did Deborah’s experience prepare her for the job?

2.        What actions that Deborah took do you feel were appropriate?  Which were inappropriate?   Describe her style.  

3.        What are the problems facing her now?

4.        What actions should she take?  In what order?  How fast?

We will role–play in class.  Students designated “A” will be Deborah while “B’s” will be a member of the board of directors..  Deborah’s assignment is to prepare and deliver to the board a succinct convincing case regarding her performance to gain their support.

1.  TEXT  --   REQUIRED  or  RECOMMENDED?: No only casepack

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2.  TEXT  --   REQUIRED  or  RECOMMENDED?:

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