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* FINANCE PRACTICUM * December 2008/January 2009
- Ben Stark, VP of Marketing, Faultless Starch/ Bon Ami Company
Case Studies
IBM
Project - Competitive Benchmarking
Client Business Challenges:
WWQ&A is one among 35 different applications through which IBM facilitates electronic
question and answering between organizations across the world. IBM wanted a complete
analysis of its WWQ&A system as well as a comparison of their system to the state
of the art eQ&A systems in the market being used by IBM's competitors.
Approach and Solutions:
- Used tools such as focus groups and competitive matrix for understanding the usage pattern of the WWQ&A system
- Concluded that all users would like to have the ability to search all relevant libraries with a single search command
- Discovered that geographical locations dissuade users from using the WWQ&A system due to cost issues
Results:
Clearly defined value of WWQ&A system that will help IBM in the modeling
of the next generation electronic question and answering system.
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General Motors Corporation
Project - Value Stream Mapping
Client Business Challenges:
General Motors wanted to do a value stream mapping that would determine ways to
eliminate waste and add value to the Containerization Business process. GM also
wanted to have recommendations on which strategies to employ in the containerization
business process using value stream mapping and management methodologies.
Approach and Solutions:
- Arrived at four key ideas in containerization business process using value stream mapping
- Made key-findings regarding the three best VSM tools for production process and two best VSM tools for the re-buy process
- Used various analytical tools such as Process activity mapping, Supply chain response matrix, Production variety funnel, Quality filter mapping, Demand amplification mapping, Decision point analysis and Physical structure mapping to make recommendations regarding the future strategy
Results:
Implementation of the recommendations over the coming years would yield large cost
savings and waste reduction for the Containerization Business of GM.
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DELPHI Technologies Inc.
Project: Technology Commercialization
Client Business challenges:
Delphi wanted to have an overview of the potential applications and markets for
a promising new technology in North America and Europe.
Approach and Solutions:
- Identified applications for this technology in seven different markets.
- Estimated market size and growth, analyzed product life cycle, estimated WACC and technology cash flow for this technology in North America and Europe
- Created a Bass diffusion model and product positioning maps.
- Studied and identified value chain and financial potential of the four most attractive markets and analyzed financial implications for Delphi entering these markets.
- Analyzed the technology's current level of patent coverage, companies that currently hold related patents and companies actively pursuing patents to date.
- Forecasted applications that could benefit from this new technology.
Results
The above information, along with details on top manufacturers and suppliers in
these markets allowed Delphi to define a starting point to market its new technology.
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Caterpillar Inc.
Project- New Business Development
Client Business Challenges:
Caterpillar was interested in exploring opportunities to provide mechanical engineering
simulation and mechanical engineering design services to external clients. Traditionally,
Caterpillar utilized its computer simulation and design services only to improve
the design and production of its products, including chassis, axles and gear shafts.
Approach and Solutions:
- Estimated market size and competitive positioning within this industry
- Competitor analysis was used to understand the nature and characteristics of the competitive landscape
- Drafted a set of recommendations to effectively pursue an entry into this market
Results:
The information gathered through industry analysis and customer analysis helped
Caterpillar in determining the market penetration options.
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