Factory Production - Administrative
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 15 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
Participants assume the roles of supervisors working in a furniture factory, and are asked to work together to agree a production schedule and staffing rota for a 5-day period. To enable them to do this, participants are given information about the production process and capacity and staff available. The brief also includes emails such as an order sheet and staff training schedule. Participants need to put together a schedule that will meet the order requirements for the period, while at the same time working within constraints such as legal working hours and minimising storage space needed. An update is given later in the discussion which will require participants to revisit their schedule so far.
Typical Competencies Assessed: Decision Making, Planning and Organising, Influencing and Persuading, Team Working
Halbon - Graduate
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 15 mins
Group Discussion: 40 mins
Participants assume the roles of management trainees working for an ethical lifestyle retailer called Halbon. They are asked to analyse the results of a recent customer survey and decide how to spend the budget which has been set aside to respond to themes arising from the survey. Some proposals for customer satisfaction initiatives have been shortlisted but the budget will not fund all of them. In addition to the information about the survey, each participant in the group is given some further information for him/her to share with the group. This includes information about the Halbon brand, ethical retailing, a consumer poll, focus group results etc. The exercise can be run with up to 8 participants.
Typical Competencies Assessed: Analytical Thinking, Decision Making, Influencing and Persuading, Team Working
Ransdorf Bank - Graduate
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 15 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
In this exercise the participants represent a group of management trainees who have been selected to work as members of the Bank’s newly formed sponsorship team. As part of the Bank’s CSR strategy, and in support of a global charity, the Bank is due to sponsor a programme of running events. The participants are required to pull together a proposal for one of the ‘Ransdorf Races’ with the aim of all profits being donated to charity. Participants are asked to make a number of decisions concerning the event including, the race format, entry fees and prize money, the Expo arrangements and selection of sponsors, as well as providing a high level financial statement. (See also Ransdorf Analysis and Negotiation exercises).
Typical Competencies Assessed: Analytical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Planning and Organising, Influencing and Persuading, Team Working
Screenplex - Graduate
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 15 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
The participants represent a group of management trainees who are required to plan and organise a film preview evening to celebrate the company's 25 year anniversary. All funds raised during the evening will be donated to charity. Working within a budget, and to tight timescales, the team must agree upon the programme of events, methods of advertising, price of tickets and the target guests. Participants are required to produce a project plan, an outline of anticipated costs and likely charitable donation. (See also Screenplex Analysis and Fact Find exercises).
Typical Competencies Assessed: Analytical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Planning and Organising, Influencing and Persuading, Team Working
Steeds - Graduate
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 15 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
The participants assume the roles of management trainees working for Steeds Ltd, a retailer selling bikes and cycling accessories. The group is required to form a ‘task force’ with responsibility for addressing a number of issues and problems that have been referred to the head office Retail Operations Unit. The issues include: decisions concerning customer compensation following an in-store accident, the withdrawal of a supplier contract due to unethical practice, a possible product recall, the introduction of a customer loyalty scheme, marketing sponsorship and the tackling of internal loss/shrinkage. All members of the group must agree on the recommendations made. (See also Steeds Analysis exercise).
Typical Competencies Assessed: Creative Thinking, Decision Making, Planning and Organising, Influencing and Persuading and Team Working
Legacy - First Line Manager
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 15 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
Participants assume the roles of a group of managers working for the Legacy Corporation. The group are given a number of problems and issues that they need to discuss and make recommendations to address. All members of the group must agree on the recommendations put forward. Issues include: the lack of visitor diversity, problems with the local community and whether or not to sell some land to a retail chain for development. At the end of the discussion period the group is required to present their findings and the rationale behind their thinking. (See also Legacy Analysis, Coaching and Fact Find exercises).
Typical Competencies Assessed: Team Working, Influencing and Persuading, Creative Thinking, Managing Relationships
The Launch - First Line Manager
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 20 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
Participants represent the UK marketing team for an international pharmaceutical company. The task is to draw up a business case and marketing plan for the launch of a new product into Europe. Participants are given information relating to the new product and its position within both the company's existing product portfolio and the external market. The marketing plan should include a financial assessment, covering projected sales, profitability and anticipated Advertising & Promotion spend. The exercise also includes an optional 'update' (given to participants part way through the discussion, and aiming to assess how the team adapts to new information) that provides information concerning a competitor's imminent rival launch.
Typical Competencies Assessed: Strategic Thinking, Planning and Organising, Influencing and Persuading, Team Working, Adaptability
Product Review - First Line Manager
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 15 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
Participants assume the roles of Sales & Marketing Managers working for an international FMCG company. They are asked to put together a recovery strategy for a number of household products and are given a limited budget to do this. Each participant is responsible for a different product range and needs to balance promoting his/her own product with making the best decision for the company. Participants are given information on their products, such as sales figures, market share, previous Advertising & Promotion spend and market information. They are also given a list of options for advertising, marketing and sales promotion, along with the associated costs and potential ROI on each.
Typical Competencies Assessed: Strategic Thinking, Decision Making, Planning and Organising, Influencing and Persuading, Team Working
Banco Damasco - Middle Manager
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 20 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
Participants assume the roles of senior managers working for a European banking group, which has recently acquired a retail bank in Brazil (Banco Damasco). The participants’ task is to develop a strategy for growing business in Brazil. Information provided includes background information about Brazil, the industry, the European banking group, Banco Damasco and options available for expansion. When deciding on their strategy, participants are asked for recommendations to improve the bank’s current performance, as well as regarding future market positioning, customer segments, channels, profitability and geographic expansion. (See also Banco Damasco Analysis exercise).
Typical Competencies Assessed: Strategic Thinking, Planning and Organising, Influencing and Persuading, Team Working, Adaptability
Glebel - Executive
Timing
Admin: 10 mins
Individual Prep: 25 mins
Group Discussion: 45 mins
Participants take on the role of Board Members for Glebel, a fast moving consumer goods company. An Investment Board meeting has been convened to assess future strategies for improved business performance. Each participant is championing a specific proposal to bring to the Investment Board. The group must decide which strategies to invest in, aligned to the company mission and values. Proposals include acquisition of a drinks brand, diversification in the cakes division, a cost reduction initiative, a restructure and an international marketing campaign. (See also Glebel Analysis, Coaching and Negotiation exercises).
Typical Competencies Assessed: Analytical Thinking, Planning and Organising, Decision Making, Team Working, Influencing and Persuading, Communication, Adaptability