GBA 6878 PMBA Spring 2005

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GBA 687/8 - PMBASpring 2005

• A Brief Overview
• Dr. Stan Abraham
• MHR Dept.

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Prerequisites (just for my info)

• To enroll in the course, you MUST have taken
• GBA 537/8
• GBA 615/6
• GBA 645/6
• GBA 628/9

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Same Old, Same Old . . .

• Most courses on strategic management teach you
  ABOUT the topic and how companies fare using
  different strategies
• The textbook costs up to 120
• Youre tested on this knowledge in a mid-term and
  final exam
• You forget everything a week later

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This Courses Focus

• To learn what is involved in doing a strategic
  analysis
• To acquire the skill of doing a strategic
  analysis and presenting the results to a critical
  audience
• Take that skill with you when you finish the
  course and program
• You wont forget it in a hurry
• Youll enjoy it more

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Plus, You Will . . .

• Come to terms with what strategic analysis or
  planning means to you
• Reflect on how valuable your MBA program has been
  in preparing you for the challenges that lie ahead

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What Do You Think?

• Do you like the courses focus?
• Thoughts?

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What We Will Do Today

• See whos here take roll
• Discuss syllabus and expectations (this
  presentation)
• Introduce ourselves to each other
• Form groups
• Take photographs
• Discuss SAMtw software

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The Other Ten Class Sessions

• 2. Learn about strategic analysislong lecture,
  so plan to stay late
• 3-8. Practice on the six remaining cases in
  class, one per week
• 9. In-class help with final presentations
• 10-11. Demonstrate your abilityFinal group
  presentations

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What Happens OUT of Class

• Read the Abraham book, become familiar with
  SAMtw, and use SAMtw on cases and the final
  project
• Write the strategic-thinking paper and reflective
  mini-papers
• Prepare each of the cases in the casebook
• Do a group-strategy project on a real company
• Read the De Kluyver/Pearce book and submit a book
  review on it (GBA 688)

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The Net Result

• Theres lots to do in a short quarter
• You must take more responsibility for your own
  learning
• The more you do and the harder you try, the more
  you will learn and the more I will help you
• You should ask lots of questions all the time
• the one thing that will enhance your learning the
  most

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My Roles

• To create a learning environment
• To facilitate class discussions
• To provide help and feedback both in class and
  out
• In person (before and after class)
• By phone and e-mail seven days a week

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How to Reach Me

• Campus office is Room 94-277
• Campus extension is 2420
• Campus e-mail is scabraham (also gets forwarded
  to me at home)
• Home telephone number is in the syllabus
• Dont call after 10 PM (or after 8 PM on Sunday)
• Dont ask for feedback the day before (or day of)
  a presentation

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Grading (may change due to small class size)

• Try to earn as many points as you can in GBA 687
• Three papers 10 points ea. 30 pts
• Partial case analyses 21 points
• Participation 14 points
• Group project 35 points
• The 56 group points (blue) are subject to
  modification by your GCRF
• The book review for GBA 688 is graded separately

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Participation Grade (14 points)

• For class attendance, 6 points
• For participating in general discussions and
  asking questions after others presentations, 8
  points
• Only my perception counts (after week 3)
• More than one unexcused absence will adversely
  affect your participation grade
• More than four unexcused absences earns an
  automatic F in the course

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Required Books

• Abraham book and companion CD-ROM
• Key to doing a strategic analysis
• Read Parts 1 and 2 within the first four weeks
• Familiarize yourself with the SAM (CD-ROM)
• Thomson Casebook
• We will do all four cases
• Download two others from my website
• Brings the real world into the classroom
• De Kluyver/Pearce book
• Provides the breadth missing from my book
• Do a book review for GBA 688 assignment

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The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP)

• A professional association that I co-founded in
  October 1999 and currently serve as Past
  President and board member
• Rose out of the ashes of the bankrupt Strategic
  Leadership Forum
• The Los Angeles Chapter meets at the Renaissance
  Hotel near LAX on second Tuesday of each month
• www.strategyplus.org
• Last year became a national organization with
  chapters
• Student memberships available

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Any Questions?