SBL*** P3 December 2012 Exam *** Instant Poll and comments***

I think first question should be using BCG matrix to analyse because market share and market growth rate are available...Ashridge Matrix seem to be more appropriate on the fittness between SBU and parent...For contribution,the question asking what can the SBU contribute to parent(not the other way around)..Can anyone verify this for me?
For Question Two and Three,i agree with ekaterinapo1983.

Frankly, I also used BCG, but thought that it is not rigth!! You think it is better use for this question? The first company cash caw, the second cash caw-dog, the third -star, the last no info... I thought that this approach is not really good... But the question was really that the sbu can contribute, not ho to sub..

paper was fair,

First part...anyone did the question 4?

JUNE 2013 it is then, Ok

@ekaterinapo1983 said:
Frankly, I also used BCG, but thought that it is not rigth!! You think it is better use for this question? The first company cash caw, the second cash caw-dog, the third -star, the last no info... I thought that this approach is not really good... But the question was really that the sbu can contribute, not ho to sub..

EXACTLY my point. It wasnt directly a bcg question and bcg tou i had to push in to make it fit in the answer.

I used BCG too :) i forgot abt the ashrige matrix :)

Terrible paper for me,

Question 1: Didnt know what i was talking about- Couldnt associate the question with a model.
Question 2: Wrote loads of rubbish,
Question 3: Rushed, what did people put for part c) With 5 mins to go I realised if was JSW- Acceptability, Suitability, Feasibility model and crossed out most my work.

All in all, a definite fail. Rushed large majority of it, wrote lots of waffle and not looking forward to retaking this one in June!!!

Ya... i realised that too.It,s true...But i have categorised them in this way
1-cash cow 2-dog 3-star and 4-question mark(guess i am tricked by the comparative data)...Maybe Ashridge is more suitable for the question...Anyone use ashridge ?Can anyone explain to me how to assess contribution from SBU to parent using Ashridge?

I used BCG matrix first was cash cow 2nd was dog 3rd was star and lastly i put it question mark and said due to no evidence in the question i assume it to be a question mark Q3 franchising Q4 decision tree

Ooppss! Dis sux :)

1a) BCG matrix- Cash Cow (Harvest), Cash Dog (Build) and Star. (Build and sustain). Last company used non financial indicators for performance measurement. I reckon it was the Balanced scorecard approach cos it had KPI such as customer satisfaction.
1b) Contextual features of change - Kaleidoscope of change by Balogun and Hope Hailey. Reference is made to the case study regarding time, scope, readiness and capacity.
1c) Benchmarking- Advantages vs Disadvantages.

2a) Used Mendelow's Power Interest matrix, PESTEL and resource audit (Physical, Human Resource, Intangible and Financial) for strategic analysis.
2b) Redesigning website- Reduce static data, create a forum for interaction, partner with search engines to shorten the website by including key references, alert customers on availability of exhibition. Include weather forecast in the website to predict weather change.

3a) Advantages vs disadvantages of franchising.
3b) Other strategic alliance options- Eg licensing and joint venture. Used Suitability, Acceptability and Feasibility to evaluate. Eventually went with licensing.
3c) Screwed up as didn't understand what the question was asking.

1q: (a) BCG - could be supported by lifecycle product framework (for evaluation of future contribution) (First - cash cow, Second - dog, Third and last - Problem child) (b) time, scope, readiness, capability if strategic change to be introduced - I think key was to relate to scenario and give examples from it (eg people not keen on another change in short time after stability introduced after outsourcing)
2q:(a) PESTEL - in my opinion the most helpful for structuring the answer(many things in scenario) , Mendelow rather not - as question was rather on strategic postion analysis not analysis of stakeholders (b) How to develop website - thing using survey hints was enough (at least 5 easy points for at least 1,5 -2 marks)
3q not solved
4q (a) decision tree and its limitations
(b) other things to consider when procuring software
(c) risks mitigation/avoidance - rather giving own ideas than specific theory
Last easy, but time management :(.........and not finished a and b for
4q

Please!!!i need to know to apply ashridge to tat question,anyone?

q1. i) i have not used any model for q1 as i found it difficult to put under any specific model but answered performance and future contributions fairly.. will i loose any mark for not using any models?
ii) not enough information found for time , scope , readiness and capability.. what u guys have written?
iii) bench marking was ok
q2. i) i used PESTEL and Strength and weaknesses
ii) this part i have written mostly from the website visitors problem.. hope ok..
q3. i started when only 5 mins left..
i) defined franchise with 2 adv and 2disadv..

so all in all answered only 80... so im in real doubt.. but hope to get pass any how.. is it possible?

I spent too much time on Q1. Literally solved the last question in 15 mins. Didn't finish the paper. I had trouble appropriating models to the questions. I felt it would have been better had i not had to analyse the strategic position in Q2 under model headings. But i used Stakeholders expectations (not exactly a model but used that heading) And SW for strategic capability and OT for external environment.

Solved Q4. Got only enough time to draw the decision tree for part a although i knew the answers to the theory too. And roughly answered the remaining parts from the scenario.

@koscil said:
1q: (a) BCG - could be supported by lifecycle product framework (for evaluation of future contribution) (First - cash cow, Second - dog, Third and last - Problem child) (b) time, scope, readiness, capability if strategic change to be introduced - I think key was to relate to scenario and give examples from it (eg people not keen on another change in short time after stability introduced after outsourcing)
2q:(a) PESTEL - in my opinion the most helpful for structuring the answer(many things in scenario) , Mendelow rather not - as question was rather on strategic postion analysis not analysis of stakeholders (b) How to develop website - thing using survey hints was enough (at least 5 easy points for at least 1,5 -2 marks)
3q not solved
4q (a) decision tree and its limitations
(b) other things to consider when procuring software
(c) risks mitigation/avoidance - rather giving own ideas than specific theory
Last easy, but time management :(.........and not finished a and b for
4q

Lifecycle...hmm another approach to the question...*marking down...good good...:)

I think that the Ashridge portfolio was the most suitable for question 1a, and asses the fit and feel of the business to the holding company. i.e Ballast Business, Heartland Business, Alien Business and Value Trap Business. Think this is more fitting than BCG imo as we required to analyse current performance and future contribution to the business!

Paper wasn't difficult. But my preparation was poor. Wrote lot of stuff unassociated. I think more I failed than passed.
q4 was best for me, did the decision tree and concluded to buy from Topaz.
Advantages -disadvantages - pretty easy.
q1 - I calculated the market share, profit margins - made some conclusions but didn't realize it was BCG matrix :( how much do I lose for not calling these companies stars, cows, and dogs? Lol it was quite easy, damn!!!!
was benchmarking in this question? I wrote the types if benchmarking ( enternal, external, best practice) and advantages and disadvantages. What else was in (b) question?
Q2 was it pestle??? I could hardly apply i it think I was wrong. What was political part? And how should have we refer to stakeholders expectations? Made as many recommendations as I could find for website development.

@ashifraj said:
q1. i) i have not used any model for q1 as i found it difficult to put under any specific model but answered performance and future contributions fairly.. will i loose any mark for not using any models?
ii) not enough information found for time , scope , readiness and capability.. what u guys have written?
iii) bench marking was ok
q2. i) i used PESTEL and Strength and weaknesses
ii) this part i have written mostly from the website visitors problem.. hope ok..
q3. i started when only 5 mins left..
i) defined franchise with 2 adv and 2disadv..

so all in all answered only 80... so im in real doubt.. but hope to get pass any how.. is it possible?

It depends on the marking scheme...if it specifically relate to model,perhaps the marks allocation will be different in certain element..If it,s not and require like two marks per relevant point,then your approach maybe ok..
Just pray hard and wish for all the best...
OMG,i still got P2 tomorrow...Goodluck everyone...

1a) BCG matrix- Cash Cow (Harvest), Cash Dog (Build) and Star. (Build and sustain). Last company used non financial indicators for performance measurement. I reckon it was the Balanced scorecard approach cos it had KPI such as customer satisfaction.
1b) Contextual features of change - Kaleidoscope of change by Balogun and Hope Hailey. Reference is made to the case study regarding time, scope, readiness and capacity.
1c) Benchmarking- Advantages vs Disadvantages.

2a) Used Mendelow's Power Interest matrix, PESTEL and resource audit (Physical, Human Resource, Intangible and Financial) for strategic analysis.
2b) Redesigning website- Reduce static data, create a forum for interaction, partner with search engines to shorten the website by including key references, alert customers on availability of exhibition. Include weather forecast in the website to predict weather change.

3a) Advantages vs disadvantages of franchising.
3b) Other strategic alliance options- Eg licensing and joint venture. Used Suitability, Acceptability and Feasibility to evaluate. Eventually went with licensing.
3c) Screwed up as didn't understand what the question was asking.

Okay so for the first question a) I analysed the financial situation and then used 5 forces model and put in swot too because I thought SWOT seemed more appropriate then ashridge as clearly it was given in the case study? Think I"ll get marks? cuz everyone here apparently used BCG :(

Far too time pressured... Q2 part b made no sense to me at all - not hopeful of a pass :(

agree it was such a lengthy paper specially the first question so lengthy! but i finished it in time actually had 20 minutes to spare which I utilized

what a nightmare for me..............:(

Comments from last papers stated that any model if connected with scenario will be given a credit. But just my subjective opinion: as examiner gave possiibility to check market growth and relative market share - exactly for BCG grid - it was easiest for gaining marks. Ashridge - well I think second best - but its more about HQ fit ans ability to support SBUs not other way around - but for sure will score marks (I think proffesional marks was for applying any model and connecting with scenario). Need to wait for Feb :)

1a) Ashridge.
1b) Balogun and Hope Hailey
1c) Described benchmarks and then choose relative to co and then advantages and disadvantages
2. PESTEL Strategic Capabilty used the M's Machinery, Mgt, Markets, Materials, Manpower, Money Etc to asses internal of Trust
2b) Basically used complaints to come up with items to include on web page with 6Is of E-business factored
3a) Advantages and Disadvantages of Franchising.
3b) Other options Licensing, Organic, JV, Strategic Alliance, Takeover Mergers
3c) Time short started just started computing random ratios ROCE, Gearing, and some others cant remeber with end aim of comparing to investment of 500k.

BCG would be suitable for product portfolio... i think asridge would be better for company portfolio..but the question could be solved without any models..but i take reference from ashridge..i dont know am i right?

@carl29 said:
im really not getting how ashridge applied to q1? how did you tie it to the benefits each co had?

i used bcg and tows. whether it was 'right' or not, i managed a convincing argument, made points about synergies between the co's and how the group could use these in the future

Remember the axes of the Model benefits and feel so one would be heratland the first one cant remember the name and then apply accordingly. Thats just my opinion!

i think Q1a relates to financial analysis and swot with oppurtunity and threat am i right??????