(See if You’re As Smart as EMBA 2010 Team 2)
Strategy—a two-course sequence that integrates all core MBA knowledge--has long been one of the keys to the Vanderbilt EMBA program. The EMBA Class of 2010 started year two of their MBA program by selecting their strategy client, then tackling Business Strategy. (Strategy Project swings into gear this semester.) But EMBA 2010 finished up a tough final exam weekend in December with a challenging, fun holiday treat: Strategy Jeopardy!
Alex Trebek holds nothing over Professor Brian McCann…with such categories as External Forces, Cite that Case, and Frameworks, he encouraged ten EMBA teams to fight hard to recall what they’d learned and find those elusive Daily Doubles. Mastering the game was Team 2 (pictured) including Craig Brooks, a QA Manager for Wackenhut in Knoxville, TN; Charlie Crowe, Design Engineer a.k.a. “rocket scientist “for KBM Enterprises in Huntsville, AL; Chandra Kumbar, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Heart Group in Evansville, IN; Brad Tidwell, Design Engineering Manager for ADTRAN in Huntsville, AL; and Aaron Withers, Controller of Batesville Casket in Manchester, TN. They won candy bars wrapped as $1,000,000 bills for their efforts. Tidwell enthusiastically concluded: “I would have been better off with extra credit points for my final Strategy grade.”
And the losing team? That would be Team 3, as explained by David Parks, an ER physician at Medical Center at Bowling Green: “When we realized we might risk all our points, come in dead last and also win a prize, we did the Rational Actor thing as learned in economics. Luke [Professor Froeb] would have been proud.”
So, challenge yourself to three questions posed to EMBA 2010 during their final day of Corporate Strategy…would you have bet all your money to win in Final Jeopardy?
- The fact that around 50% of new business owners rate their probability of success at 100% (and the fact that 86% of EMBAs rate themselves as above average) is an indication of this decision-making bias.
Answer: What is: ___________________ - This governance form is an interim solution between market transactions and full integration in the firm; often has a learning-related goal.
Answer: What is an: ___________________ - Staged venture capital investments and joint ventures as a stepping stone to full acquisition both represent this approach that highlights the value of uncertainty and flexibility.
Answer: What are: ___________________
If you have a topic of interest you’d like to see on my blog, send me your question or suggestion. I look forward to hearing from you. Happy New Year.
Luke Froeb taught us that the answer "it depends" is a factual and accurate response. Therefore,I respond "it depends" to all three. Please send the money prize to Donna Hoffman.
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