Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) School of Management Busn Business Strategy Course Outline, Spring 2013 Classes

Monday and Wednesday 11:00 to 12:15

Instructor Mannan Amin Contact mannanamin@gmail.com; Room E-321 Thursday 9 to 11. And by appointment by email.

Office hours

Objective The objective of this course is to increase your ability to understand, analyze, and implement strategy in companies. The class is concerned with decisions and actions that shape the long-term future of organizations by establishing, sustaining, and enhancing the basis for their competitive advantage. We will go over fundamental strategy theories and illustrate their use through company examples. The ultimate intent of the course is to help you work more effectively in your professional careers. Grading Class participation Group Project/Presentation Surprise Quizzes Final Peer Evaluation Bonus: Write a Note 30% 35% 25% 10% 20%

MethodologyThe teaching strategy is designed to use a range of delivery methods in order to facilitate the development of skills in the key learning areas. The methodology includes lectures, discussions, exercises, individual and/or group presentations, and self-directed learning. Students will get hands on experience in applying strategy on a company in the group projects on real world companies. Guidelines You are expected to attend all classes. Missing a class will have a serious impact on your grade. If you do miss a class

you must get permission from instructor before hand or have a genuine reason. Assigned readings must be completed as assigned for each class unless otherwise requested. This is particularly important for the discussion focused teaching methodology that will be adopted for this course. Quizzes are to be taken by surprise and cannot be taken later. Any case of plagiarism deliberate or unintended will not be tolerated and will result in an F in the instrument. Readings: -Most readings will be available through class Readings DRIs. -7 Habits of Highly Effective People(1st chapter in class, rest recommended) -Competing on the Edge by Kathy Eisenhardt (If time allows, else recommended) -Built to Last by Jim Collins (If time allows, else recommended) -Dont Make Me Think by Steve Krug (If time allows, else recommended)

Project. The third central component of the course is a 15-18 page paper (plus any exhibits) which is prepared by your group. This paper focuses on understanding strategy within the context of a company(or business unit). The intent of the paper is to enable you to work with course concepts in the context of the strategy of a specific company (or business unit) that is of particular interest to you. It also provides a forum for you to work with course material with others, and an opportunity to improve your writing, analytic and speaking skills. The paper should reflect thoughtful and thorough analysis using course concepts, secondary material, and at least one interview with a manager at the company. There will be in-class presentations during the semester based on the work done for this paper. The paper will be due during the final examination period. Course Map and Topics Week Week Week Week Week Week Week 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: Being Proactive / Structural Analysis Structural Analysis / Business Model Analysis What is Strategy / Generic Competitive Strategies Application of above concepts on chosen company Application of above concepts on chosen company The Core Competence + Application Competing on Resources + Application

Week 8: Blue Ocean Strategy + Application Week 9: Using Game Theory + Application Week 10: Presentations Week 11: Presentations Week 12: Presentations Week 13: Presentations Short cases for practice(if time permits) Design Thinking Bootcamp and strategy(if time permits) Built to Last(Book) (If time permits) Websites Design and Strategy(If time permits) Building your network (if time permits) Company Presentations

Readings for all of the above will be provided as class proceeds. What are the rules of the road for this class? i We have one guiding principle for our class. Do whatever it takes to create a high performance learning culture. You create this by demonstrating respect for your peers and your commitment to the learning process in small but very noticeable ways: Trust the process. Check your email daily Come prepared. Arrive five minutes before time Cell phones off. Cite your sources. Listen carefully when others are speaking. No homework, side conversations during class Dont take airtime just for the sake of it; that is negative cp! Help one another unless working on an individual assignment. Take initiatives. Bring creativity into the learning process. Be willing to say, I don't know. Respect and learn from the diverse backgrounds in the class.