OS 432 Org Policy and Strategy Clarkson University School of Business Spring 2004 Mike Wasserman

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OS 432Org Policy and StrategyClarkson
University School of BusinessSpring 2004 Mike
Wasserman

• Mon 1/19/04
• Mental Models

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Todays Agenda

• Questions for discussion Mental Models
• In-class analysis
• Team Presentation team assignments and
  deliverable details
• Assignments for Wednesday

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Questions for Discussion Mental Models

• What are mental models?
• How are they related to strategy?
• How are they related to firm performance?
• Explain the two broad skills needed to develop
  mental models?

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Classes
SIMPLE CATEGORIZATION

• Good class Bad class

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A SIMPLE CAUSE MAP
EARLY TO BED

PERSONAL HEALTH, WEALTH, AND WISDOM

EARLY TO RISE
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MENTAL MODELS result from

• Learning, trial and error
• Imitation
• Creativity and imagination

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MENTAL MODELS . . .

• Have varying degrees of accuracy
• Reflect personal and cultural biases
• Are difficult to change or alter

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Mapping Models

• Although these models are mental, you will be
  asked to express your models on paper. While not
  always perfectly accurate, this mind-to-paper
  transfer makes you more aware of your own models
  and can promote learning.

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A CAUSE MAP OF HAVING A BEAUTIFUL YARD
Weekly Mowing
Well-Groomed Appearance


Nitrogen Fertilizer

A Beautiful Yard
Green Look


Watering

Weed free lawn

Herbicide
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A CAUSE MAP OF HAVING A BEAUTIFUL YARD
Mowing with a mechanical mower

A Beautiful (earth-friendly) yard
Lo maint. plants ground cover


Organic fertilizer and compost
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In-class Analysis

• Create a map of the factors that drive firm
  performance.
• 1. Determine performance outcome of interest
  (dependent variable or effect)
• i.e. profit
• 2. Determine causes of those outcomes
• i.e. advertising, product quality, etc

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Team Presentation Details

• You and a team of 3/4 of your colleagues will
  make a 20 minute presentation to the class.
• Your topic an issue in the business world that
  will likely be changing the structure of existing
  industries, changing the strategies of companies
  currently in those industry, and, in many cases
  spawning completely new industries and companies.

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Team Presentation Details

• Management and operation of the team will be left
  up to you.
• A work plan outlining who will be doing what on
  the project will be a part of the final
  deliverable.
• Distribute the work evenly according to each
  person's strengths. Try to stick to your work
  plan.
• Both you and the class will be provided with a
  starting article on each issue. The class will
  read it and write a brief summary in advance of
  your presentation, so you can assume that
  everyone has some basic knowledge. This article
  is a starting point.

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Team Presentation Details

• You will want to
• 1. Conduct research on your assigned industry and
  present an overview, including structure,
  performance, key firms, and key issues (see the
  course research page for details on sources and
  citation).
• 2. Conduct additional research on the assigned
  issue. Discuss background, implications for
  companies, customers, suppliers, shareholders,
  and the community.
• 3. Make specific recommendations about how firms
  in the industry should respond to these changes.

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Team Presentation Details

• The presentation should be about 20-25 minutes
  and you should leave 10 minutes for questions.
• Each team member is expected to present part of
  the material.
• Creativity is fine - you are encouraged to engage
  the class in discussion and dialogue and provide
  hands-on learning opportunities where possible.
• The presentation should be concise, logical,
  supported by facts and data, interesting, and
  professional.
• This presentation is worth 20 points, or 20 of
  your grade. 15 pts will be based on team
  performance, and 5 pts on your individual
  performance.

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Team Presentation Details

• Each team member will provide an assessment of
  each individual's participation and contribution
  to the team. You will submit a performance
  assessment - a written "point" assignment for
  everyone on your team - including yourselves.
• These values will be considered for each
  individual during the assignment of your
  individual grade. These assessments will be and
  should remain confidential between you and me.
• To summarize the three deliverables for this
  project include 1) a printed set of your
  powerpoint slides (due at the start of class on
  your presentation day), 2) a project work plan,
  showing the planned and actual contributions of
  each team member, and 3) completion of the team
  member assessment no later than 24 hours after
  your presentation is given.

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Team Presentation Details

• Team 1 - Weds 2/4 -Nanotechnology
• Team 2 - Weds 2/4 - Obesity in the U.S.
• Team 3 - Weds 2/25 - Web Services
• Team 4 - Weds 2/25 - Radio Frequency
  Identification
• Team 5 - Weds 3/3 - Environmental Sustainability
• Team 6 - Weds 3/3 - Alternative Fuels
• Team 7 - Weds 3/31 - Consolidation in Financial
  Services
• Team 8 - Weds 3/31 - Consolidation in the Retail
  Industry
• Team 9 - Weds 4/7 - IPO's After the Financial
  Scandal
• Team 10 - Weds 4/7 - Outsourcing

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Team Assignments
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Assignment for Wednesday

• Read article Formal strategic planning The key
  to effective business process management? (the
  link is on the schedule page on the course
  website).
• Make sure you read, understand, and are prepared
  to discuss
• On Wednesday, I will give you 10 minutes to, with
  your team, give me your top three choices on what
  (and therefore when) you will present.