Questions about organizations:

We recommend you begin your study by asking and determining what are the key issues that the company (and industry) faces at this time. Put the company in context- that is, is it a non-profit or a for-profit -- does it have a mission statement, goals - what is the driving vision of the company? Who are the leaders of the company - what is their background? In this context, you can then address the questions below:

a. What information can you learn from the organization's annual report and other external/internal materials?. Do a web search, see what you can find in the Olin and Babson libraries.

b. What are products manufactured, goods sold, services offered? How are the operations of the organization conducted? Select a key business process to examine and analyze. How does the company improve the quality of their products and services?

c. What is the strategy of the organization? How does the organization's strategy relate to the industry (or similar organizations)?

d. How does the organization market their products (how do they understand their customers and segment the market?)

e. How does the organization raise the capital it needs to grow and carry out its projects? Who invests in or funds the organization (applies to both for-profit and non-profit organizations)? What financial issues or circumstances are specific to their industry? To the extent possible, create a balance sheet and income statement. You may follow the format of the financial statements that you learn about in the Capstone Simulation or in the accounting materials found in the Ten Day MBA and/or the materials in the knowledge base .

f. Other. Are there other things that are important about this organization -- for example, people, organization, etc.

g. How would you assess the health of this organization? What are its strengths and weaknesses? What specific recommendations (if any) would you make and why?