BOOYTAEach team's conclusions should make explicit the team's definition of success, explain why that is a logical definition and describe the criteria with which the team measures it. The definition of success and the criteria used must be consistent with the way the companies define success and with the characteristics and practices of the industry. (Possible definitions of success include market share, share price, financial stability, steady growth, customer and employee satisfaction, etc.) Note that each company may define success differently, depending on its stated goals and/or mission. Therefore, it is possible for two competitors to succeed by their own measures simultaneously. Nevertheless, teams must choose the company the team believes will be more successful and convince your audience of the logic of the team's conclusion.
Company Selection
Every team in SM122 must research a different pair of companies. To achieve this, every team must propose the pair of companies it intends to study by Monday January 26. At that time the team should also propose at least two pairs of alternative firms in case the team's first choice is not permitted (indicating the teams order of preference). Workshops are scheduled for the lab sessions on January 16 and January 23 to assist the teams in making its choice. We remind teams that the choice of companies is important. Teams should start with the preliminary research on the companies under consideration as soon as possible. The SM122 faculty will review the company proposals and notify teams of the results by Friday January 30.
Some teams may be required to search out alternative pairs if, based on a random drawing, their primary and alternative choices have been assigned to another team. You should realize that the team is most likely to have its proposed company pair approved if it seeks less "obvious" company pairs. It probably goes without saying but each team should be sure to consider the firms followed...