Grading:
Will be based on effort and contributions to our learning together, as well as level of insight developed into the nature of eBusiness. Grades will be comprised of:
- "What's New" -- Team Assignments to identify and select a new development or important new facet of eBusiness and research and bring a brief report to class on it, along with information sources used -- 25%.
- Case Presentation -- Detailed analysis and presentation of insights in class -- 50%.
- 5 "Case Insights" -- Students are expected to read and prepare ALL cases. For 5 cases where students are not presenting, individual students to submit a (very brief) email with the key issue they see in the case, and the key question they'd like to ask the team or the firm management. -- 25%
- Class Participation -- Not strictly graded -- +/- 10%. Plus for insight and expansion of knowledge, minus for noise.
Grading Approach:
This course is in it's second run-through in a seven-week modular format. As we've learned in adapting this format, the material is more intense - every class session needs to be a good one to ensure that you receive the value you're entitled to for the course. It's very important that you remain deeply engaged with the flow of the subject matter, and come prepared to each class.
The grading approach below is designed to help "keep your head in the game", without requiring an inordinate and imposing level of work.
Grades will be based on the level of insight you bring to
the class - how much thinking have you done which enables us all to learn
more about - and develop real insights into - the unfolding of digital
business design, and the emergence of eBusiness.
In this course "short" will be rewarded over long.
Focused thoughts, packaged insights, quick reads should be the order of the day.
Grading Methods:
"What's New" and Team Case Presentations will receive a normal letter grade. Case insights will generally receive a "Check" for a good, solid job - meeting the basic expectation.
Grades generally follow the same ground rules you're used
to:
A+ -- Check plus plus
Really outstanding. Only one group in the whole class may get this through
the course of the semester. Totally new insights, frameworks for thinking,
or tools for case analysis.
A- to B + -- Check plus
Great work. Obviously well thought through, recognized key insights and
lessons, brought new knowledge to bear on the problem, internally very
consistent, great presentation.
B to B+ -- Check
Basically what was expected. Good solid work, good groundwork in the
fundamentals, solid presentation and write-up, covered all the bases.
C+ to B- -- Check minus
Below expectations. Reflected some honest work on the problem, summarized
the basics well, hit the key points, missed one or more of the key lessons
to be learned in the case, didn't put the case presentation together
effectively.
D -- Check minus minus
Blew it. Shoddy work, cursorily covered the basics, didn't really bring
anything new to the ballgame.
In grading the Team Case Presentations, we'll follow a template such as
this:
EBiz 501 Case Evaluation Template
Content:
-
Actionable recommendations (versus general recommendations)
-
Rationale for recommendation
-
Conceptual framework
-
Overall strategy
-
Financials
-
Operational considerations
-
Use of course concepts
-
Coverage of discussion questions
-
Internal consistency
-
Insightful--brought out key lessons learned
Presentation:
-
Focused?
-
Captured audience attention?
-
Questions answered well?
-
Quality of report/charts/presentation materials
Case Overview and Assignments
1. Chemdex: "Reintermediation". A pure "dot-com" play to alter the channel structure for specialty chemicals in the health care market. Has become a "classic" Business-to-Business dot com experimental case.
2. HP Online: Powerhouse who has basically "defined the category" in the printer market, and has built the strongest and most powerful channel structure for selling printers in the world, considers going online direct to customers. Studies channel disruption, and this how this forward thinking firm navigated this difficult decision.
3. Wall Street Journal Online: Investigates how "pure digital knowledge assets" might be marketed-in the physical market place, and in the virtual "market space". Can the Wall Street Journal turn on a new profit stream with its digital assets, without cannibalizing its basic product? How does it productize and protect it's intellectual property? Marketing knowledge in "digital/ networked convergence."
4. BMG Entertainment: A powerhouse in the music industry, with powerful labels, and many superstars, investigates the turbulence caused by Napster, and the Internet in general. Will the Internet destroy the music industry as we know it? Realign big players? Is Napster really a foe-or a friend in disguise? A turbulent case -outlines the beginnings of a business challenge still unfolding - and which will continue to evolve: Digital/Networked Music.
5. Monster.com: The monster - making a great business of pairing job seekers and employers in the digital/networked world. What are the keys to their success -and where can they look to grow next?
6. PlanetFeedback.com: An interesting wrap-up case investigating a new business approach: "Consumer-to-business" value creation. Planet Feedback mobilizes the "Power of one, the voice of many". They can create real value for consumers-but can they harvest that value through their business-to-business model? A very interesting wrap up case studies an entirely new business model-which is still unfolding.
If Needed:
7. Advanced Book Exchange: Studies a deep "niche" business
with a great deal of expertise in a focused area. How should they move
online? Partnership with a big player? On their own? Interesting pros and
cons of offline/online partnership.
8 CVS Online: Traditional "Brick and Mortar" retailer in the drug business
considers its online strategy-and the possibility of partnership with Merck-Medco.
Is becoming a classic case in the "converging" economy-how do you mix
"bricks and clicks"?
Case Insights - Assignment
As in any course with a heavy emphasis on cases, each student is expected to
read each of the cases to be covered in class, before the session in which
the case presentation is made.
Assignment:
As 25% of your final grade, for the 5 cases you are NOT
presenting please prepare a short e-mail on each of them to our angel site,
with answers to the following questions:
" The most important consideration in this case
is:___________________________
" The key question I would like to ask the management of this business
is:_______
(Note: make your e-mail BRIEF: a half page or so.)
NOTE : Case Insight Assignments are due the morning that the case is being presented…
This site is for educational purposes and for the advancement of Business to Business Practices. © Ralph Oliva, 2003