How To Conduct a Case Analysis

GE Case Tips/Directions

For this week’s individual case assignment, I ask that everyone first read the preceding section in the text entitled ‘How To Conduct a Case Analysis’.  If this is your first exposure to working with analyzing a business case, it can seem daunting.  However, I plan to role this out with you in conjunction with our progress with the text.  For example, we will take an incremental building block approach.

Use the format posted in the announcement section (nine sections) of the course.  Include all detailed information for sections  1 through 5.  Based on section 5, you will have your focus for section 6.

Key Issues To Be Addressed:  As you will see in the case, GE has had a succession of top management who each brought their particular experiences/skills to the position, putting their own stamp on the strategic direction and resulting success of the company.

Mr. Immelt’s decision to divest GE Capital will result in a need to reinvest large amounts of capital; it represents a major opportunity to reset the direction of the company.

• What are GE’s  target markets?
• Which, if any, of these target markets are key to future growth?
• What courses of action would you recommend to Mr. Immelt?
  • What additional questions would you urge to be explored?

Be precise; support your reasoning for each question.

For section 6, I want your analysis portion of the case to focus on what is covered in this unit’s reading:

1. External Analysis
   1. Choose an appropriate model/approach from the following
      1. PESTEL (cover all 6 factors)
      2. The Five Forces Model (cover all 5 forces)
   2. In addition, address:
      1. Ease of entry
      2. Exit Barriers
2. Internal Analysis
   1. Discuss Core Competencies
   2. Resource-Based View
   3. VRIO Framework

Complete the remaining sections as required in the MLA form.