[sergeant1]

(Original post by Scotty93)
I have a similar dilemma, but with economics on the 20th. I'm not feeling that worried about business, namely because most of the theory stuff covered in this unit is pretty much the same as economics. Its just the research theme, having to remember all these different examples which is a pain.

Just one final question. When doing an essay do you have a pre-planned structure? Like putting down one analysis point then evaluate ect.

Thanks in advance by the way.

I usually do a little introduction and then have three paragraphs in my main body. I have either 2 for/against and 1 of the opposite. I have 2 paragraphs for the one which i think is correct either for or against and i evaluate at the end a bit. But my final paragraph is my conclusion where i say my opinion which point is the most important point then i say what it depends on etc.

[tdkr]

(Original post by sergeant1)
I usually do a little introduction and then have three paragraphs in my main body. I have either 2 for/against and 1 of the opposite. I have 2 paragraphs for the one which i think is correct either for or against and i evaluate at the end a bit. But my final paragraph is my conclusion where i say my opinion which point is the most important point then i say what it depends on etc.

so basically 2 points for (with some examples) and 2 points against (with some examples) ?

[laurenc1]

(Original post by HP348)
Has anyone got case study for a successful meger/intergration of culture and a failure?

Successful:
Kraft and Cadbury both have different cultures, Kraft is product led, power culture, scientific systems etc. whereas Cadbury was entrepreneurial, consumer led, innovative, creative... evaluation is what made them successful is that Kraft recognised the differences, and could respect the culture, kraft also wanted cadbury for its entrepreneurial culture.

another successful is TATA and Jaguar, they had different cultures but its been succesful because TATA allowed jaguar to operate independently because it recognised that they had such different cultures

Failure:
Daimler and Chrysler in 1998, ended up Chrysler being sold in 2007, car industry, Daimler was German firm with very traditional, hierachical, top down management it was a power culture, Chrysler was COMPLETELY the oppositre, Free wheeling, creative, open culture, more people culture than anything, they didnt recognise that there was such a vast difference so didnt account for this is the post merger intergration plan. In addition to this, it was described as a 'merger of equals' however Daimler kept trying to impose their culture on Chrysler so it bought resentment and heavy losses.

[Sentenashi]

I heard that to get full evaluation marks, your conclusion needs to be round about 1/3rd of your total essay length.

[tdkr]

(Original post by Sentenashi)
I heard that to get full evaluation marks, your conclusion needs to be round about 1/3rd of your total essay length.

not if you evaluate at the end of each of your points (am i right ?

[sergeant1]

(Original post by tdkr)
so basically 2 points for (with some examples) and 2 points against (with some examples) ?

For better timing and to make sure that the points get good analysis i would say either:-

2 for and 1 against
or
2 against and 1 for

Depending on whether you are for or against the question

[Sentenashi]

(Original post by sergeant1)
For better timing and to make sure that the points get good analysis i would say either:-

2 for and 1 against
or
2 against and 1 for

Depending on whether you are for or against the question

I always do 2 for 2 against, never get below 30/40.

[SBradford]

(Original post by Sentenashi)
I always do 2 for 2 against, never get below 30/40.

can this structure be used for both sections?

[Sentenashi]

(Original post by SBradford)
can this structure be used for both sections?

yeah, they're essentially the same essay just different topics

[Sentenashi]

Essentially, here's how it is.

Part A - Mergers and takeovers
Part B - Literally anything else in the world.

The essays are exactly the same, you just write about different stuff, depending on what the question is.

These are some good business examples to look in to.

Culture
Amazon
Apple
Google
Starbucks
Innocent Smoothies
BP (In this case a crappy culture led to the deepwater horizon thing)

Leadership
Amazon - Jeff Bezos leading the company through the dot com crash of the early 2000's
Apple - Steve Jobs leaving in 85, returning in 97, and then how effective Tim Cook was after his death
Starbucks - Howard Schultz's return to the company in 2008 when over expansion was killing the company (you know how you see starbucks literally everywhere? This is really damaging to a company. People get lazy)
Richard Branson - He built up Virgin Group from scratch, and when the virgin employees went on strike he sent them all a letter saying "Yeah, I know some people have better pay, but you're part of something BIG. If you don't like it, sod off".

If you know some details on all of these points, then it's pretty unlikely that something like that won't be hit upon within the three available section B questions. If not, you can usually make the question your bitch and use those points anyway.

[Sadiaaxd]

. Steve Jobs he was autocratic, he had a cautious eye for detail and surrounded himself with like minded people. An example of Apple reacting to change is the recession; whilst most organisations were cost cutting, Apple decided to lanuch the the ipad and were investing on innovation; in terms of leadership the shows Jobs' innovative side. (Also the difference between Jobs and Cook- Cook is more of a collaborative leader, in that he is happy to share leadership. Whereas Jobs was always at the heart of Apple ideas, even when he was not well)

2. Sir Howard Stringer: After 7 years of disaster as the CEO, he stepped down. But in terms of change, there was technological change occuring, even so he attempted to compete with larger organisations. So its questionable if his leadership actually failed. (Also the comparison with Stringer and Hirari- you could link retrenchment here- how Hirari has cut 10,000 jobs in response to the recession)

3. Wille Walsh: He was clearly authocrative and possibly ruthless, since he ignored the strikes. Yet he claimed he was nothing but 'honest'.



I don't know if I'm on the right lines? Can someone help please?

[Ricardo12345]

Peter Drucker "Company cultures are like country cultures. Never try to change one. Try, instead to work with what you've got".

Is it ok to use quotes like that in the exam to help elaborate a point?

[TB.93]

(Original post by Sadiaaxd)
. Steve Jobs he was autocratic, he had a cautious eye for detail and surrounded himself with like minded people. An example of Apple reacting to change is the recession; whilst most organisations were cost cutting, Apple decided to lanuch the the ipad and were investing on innovation; in terms of leadership the shows Jobs' innovative side. (Also the difference between Jobs and Cook- Cook is more of a collaborative leader, in that he is happy to share leadership. Whereas Jobs was always at the heart of Apple ideas, even when he was not well)

I'm not entirely sure but I wouldn't say that Steve Jobs was autocratic. He once said that "Apple is driven by ideas not hierarchy" which suggests he encourages his workers to contribute not to just sit back and take orders.

[RMA1]

What business case studies can I use for mergers and takeovers to gain synergy?

[sergeant1]

(Original post by Sentenashi)
I always do 2 for 2 against, never get below 30/40.

Same with me structure as long as you get good application and good analysis is doesn't make a difference. They look for quality more that quantity so i focus on doing 3 points really well instead of rushing them :P

[Sentenashi]

(Original post by RMA1)
What business case studies can I use for mergers and takeovers to gain synergy?

Iberia/BA or United/Continental are really good ones

[THFC1882]

I know that the takeover was initially very problematic but does anyone know how Kraft/Cadbury's is doing now since the deal? has the company stabilised and starting to do well or are they still doing badly?

[Sadiaaxd]

(Original post by TB.93)
I'm not entirely sure but I wouldn't say that Steve Jobs was autocratic. He once said that "Apple is driven by ideas not hierarchy" which suggests he encourages his workers to contribute not to just sit back and take orders.

So what would you describe his leadership style as?

[RKAUR]

What business can I use for 'Change process' section B?

[mushpantsbc]

Can someone explain why Steve Jobs and Howard Schultz (starbucks) have been successful leaders? Also Irene Rosenfield (kraft) and Willie Walsh (IAG). How are they different from everyone else? And what management style are they?

Am I right thinking Steve Jobs is a democratic leader?