Cases typically highlight specific circumstances in which individuals have to deal with a certain situation that might involve a difficult or new situation and are forced to take action. This kind of learning encourages students to act as problem solvers and develop critical thinking. 

Occasionally, cases are created to serve as references for various aspects of the issue confronted. This kind of instance covers the problem, the selected solution, and its result. Situations of this kind are reviewed, and the students analyze how and why a solution given had or hadn’t worked. Through this students gain a stronger understanding of all the important elements of a certain problem.

Cases engage students to carry out the particular task while reflecting on their actions. In essence, cases give students chances to examine and address pertinent real-world practical issues. Case studies force students to test their knowledge rather than just remember. Therefore, situations are helpful in training that calls for higher-order thinking skills like interpretation and problem-solving. Students who actively participate in learning and problem-solving are better able to adapt what they have learned to circumstances where issues are comparable in the real world.

Activities in the writing process

Writing cases is difficult, but the lessons that can be learned from using them are often worthwhile. Writing cases can actually improve one’s research and teaching. The writing process comprises four major activities: planning, organizing, drafting, and revising.

Planning 

Planning is the creation of a strategy that outlines the crucial steps and components of preparing a case. A case writer must perform the following steps:

(1) Determine the goal of the case writing assignment:

When writing, you should think about the lessons students are expected to acquire from the case as well as the context in which the case will be used in the class.

You must take into account the target audience, and  consider or make a list of the learning objectives you want students to achieve while and after working through the case. 

(2) Identifying the learners: 

Like any kind of writing, you should be aware of your audience if you want your readers to understand the concepts and information you are attempting to get through.

These cases are written with students in mind. So, the author should know how much subject knowledge students have? An effective case should capture students’ interest and encourage them to grasp the concepts and laws that have been or will be presented in greater depth. 

(3) Deciding what information should be put into the case: 

The availability of information immediately affects your choice of material and its caliber; thus, it is important to think about how to get information.

Every writing assignment calls for research. Once you have determined the case’s problems, you must start looking for items to make the case real and actual. You could get the case study information from your thoughts, from tales you have heard from friends or co-workers, or from books and articles. The information can also be acquired by conducting interviews with professionals on the subject matter you are working with or with employees of a particular organization whose work interests you and is relevant to your case problems.

Organizing 

Organizing is the arranging of thoughts to best serve the case’s objective. Instances should be provided in a narrative style since a story is believed to encourage the reader to actively engage with the facts. Additionally, cases tend to be problem-based in nature.

A narrative is typically organized chronologically, or in the order that events take place. You can arrange things in terms of importance, or you can start with the location and time, or the event itself. Beginning the action at its conclusion or somewhere in the middle and telling the story through a sequence of flashbacks can occasionally be more effective. No matter how you set out the case, the key is to maintain students’ interest and focus on the points you want to make. 

Drafting 

Putting your ideas and thoughts on paper is called 

drafting. Ideas are turned into real words and sentences through this process. A case writer should have ideas about what to write about in the case and how to communicate those thoughts after planning and organizing the case-related tasks. Additionally, before starting writing, all resources and data needed to build the case should be available. The case should draw students’ attention to the learning-related concerns you want them to investigate. The case is developed in such a way that the description will encourage students to investigate the learning concerns and include them in identifying and resolving issues.

Revising

Rereading, analysing, and revising help to make the written case stronger. You must read carefully and critically when rereading. You must be aware of what to look for while evaluating, which means you must recognize the key elements of the case and evaluate them by a predetermined set of standards or guidelines. It can occasionally be beneficial to have someone else review your case to provide an unbiased assessment.

Consider the following inquiries while you review, whether you are reviewing it yourself or having someone else do it:

1. Will the case produce the intended learning outcomes?

2. Are the problem issue(s) presented in the case related to the learning outcomes? 

3. Is the case sufficiently complete, complex, and focused? 

4. Does the case present a situation, problem, or issue? 

5. Does the case appear to be realistic? 

6. Are all the elements of a narrative style used in the case? 

7. Are the events and actions in the case sequenced in a logical order? 8. Are the events connected with appropriate transitional signals? 

9. Is the content in the case accurate, relevant, and appropriate in terms of subject matter? 

10. If there are external resources, are they appropriate?

Hope the above information helps you to write a case.

Tanisha Bansal

Batch 2022-24

A business school is much different from a regular graduation college. The campus environment, classrooms and curriculum, everything is different. Here you will see students coming from different backgrounds. You can find a graduate student who is looking to start his career with assurance. On the other hand, you can also meet an experienced professional who is looking to make a career change or progression in his career whereas you can meet with an entrepreneur who wants to excel his business.

Everyone who attends business school has different dreams and strategies to enter the corporate world. Your success in the business school will depend not only on your academics but also on your people skills. This is a major difference that students face. Business/Human Management and Administration is all about managing people and resources. You have to have a strong ability to network and make the connections as it will help you grow faster.

Keeping aside growth and subjects, the teaching methods implemented in decent business schools are quite different too. A lot of emphasis is paid on case studies, projects and presentations. Eventually, working on the overall growth. A PGPM or MBA student needs to devote time in preparation for the class and not just in completing assignments.

But all these challenges are external. When you are studying in a B-school there are a lot of internal challenges as well. One of the most important challenges is to choose electives after the first year. Although if I talk about my college which is IBS Gurgaon, they help their students a lot by providing the right information about each domain, subjects in each course, career opportunities after each course and much more.

But at the end of the day an individual has to decide his or her path and finally make the best decisions. I have seen a lot of my friends struggling in this process. Mind boggling is because of the fear that what if they end up making a wrong choice. Considering the fact that your whole career depends on one single step it becomes all the more important to choose electives as per one’s interest.

Talking about myself, I always wanted to choose HR as I really want to work in a company’s human resources department that focuses on the hiring, training and growth of employees. Fortunately, my college gave me all the information about this domain and made me realize what I actually want in my career. Career development opportunities, job security, career flexibility, good salary and of course the job satisfaction is most important to me. Professors at my college who have specialized in this field shared all the details of the HR domain, which helped me in deciding the same.

If I have to give advice to my fellow mates or anyone who is dealing with this same confusion then I would say there needs to be a balance between what you like and what is useful. Some steps that could be taken are-

• KNOW YOUR INTEREST- We all have certain goals and aspirations. Corporate world is a huge space for people where everyone is working on different aspects. So first you need to understand your interest and choose the area where you want to work and grow.

• FOCUS ON YOUR INTERESTS – There are few areas which interest you and where you want to build your career. It is important to know the difference and decide where you want to build your career. For instance, I was always drawn towards marketing as well and scored decent marks but I never wanted to build my career there.

• CONSULT A SPECIALIST OR ADVISOR- An academic advisor can help you figure out the best electives to take for your particular educational journey and career goals. For example, an advisor can identify a minor that may complement your career path and electives that can double as prerequisites for that minor.

• EXPLORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THAT AREA- In order to decide the electives better, explore different job opportunities in all the domains and then decide in which field you want to work.

College electives exemplify the ideal educational experience — you get to choose what you want to learn without restrictions. Sometimes it is difficult to choose the apt course but with right guidance and support one can take a right call and move forward in the desired field.

Business school is a university-level institution that provide students with a wealth of knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen careers. While you’re studying for an MBA, the lessons you learn in business school apply to a wide range of industries and roles.

For many students, attending business school might be a life-changing experience. It offers the chance to develop personally and professionally and a broader awareness of the complexities of the commercial world. Here are a few of the most valuable lessons that you can acquire by going to business school.

Extracting  Information from Financial Statements

Understanding how to read and comprehend financial accounts is another crucial skill taught in business schools. Making critical decisions about investments, finance, and operations requires financial statements, which shed light on a company’s financial health. Understanding and analyzing financial accounts is a skill that every business person needs and one that the students learn in the Business School in Accounting and Finance course.

Understanding Business Ethics

Business ethics is a topic that every business school covers. Business executives must act in the best interests of their stakeholders, clients, and clientele. Business ethics courses in business schools help students understand the value of ethical decisions and the repercussions of unethical conduct. Building recognition and trust in the corporate world depends upon it.

Entrepreneurship

Another significant component of business schools is entrepreneurship. The process of establishing and managing new business enterprises is called entrepreneurship. Students who enroll in business schools can get the expertise, tools, and resources they need to begin their own companies. To launch a new firm, students learn about market research, financial management, and business strategy, offered by a business school.

Marketing

The process of developing, delivering, trading, and communicating value propositions for customers, society, and the public, is called marketing. Any organization must have a marketing strategy, and business schools offer students a chance to study several marketing facets. The marketing courses provided by the business school educate students in the crucial business disciplines of market research, product creation, and advertising.

Operations Administration

The study of operations management is crucial in business school. Planning, coordinating, and regulating the resources required to produce goods and services is the process of operations management. Supply chain management, inventory management, and quality control are competencies crucial for success in any business and therefore students have to learn them in operations management courses in business schools.

Strategic thinking and Problem solving

The ability to think strategically and solve problems is one of the essential competencies that business schools emphasize. It entails comprehending the big picture, identifying relevant challenges and opportunities, and creating action plans to accomplish precise objectives. Any business professional needs to inculcate these talents because they help you solve complicated problems and make wise judgements.

Leadership and communication

Business schools also instruct students on methods to communicate effectively and act as leaders. Understanding various leadership philosophies, creating teams, and effectively interacting with different stakeholders are aspects of this. Any business professional needs these abilities because they enable you to influence and guide others and successfully convey information and ideas.

Networking Techniques

Any career requires networking, and the business school offers the ideal setting for expanding your network of business connections. Students can network with instructors, fellow students, and other experts. Students can interact and share ideas with people from all backgrounds and professions at the business school. Regarding professional chances and personal growth, this can be beneficial.

International Business

Studying international business in an MBA program can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and navigate the complex global business environment. This can include topics such as international trade, cross-cultural management, global finance, and strategic planning for multinational corporations. An MBA program may also offer opportunities for internationalexperiences such as studying abroad or participating in global consulting projects. Ultimately, an MBA in international business can help prepare you for a variety of leadership roles in the global business world.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Business schools also instruct students on collaboration and working well in groups. Understanding various team dynamics, cultivating trust and communication, and accomplishing common objectives are part of this. Any business professional has to have these abilities because they help you collaborate well with others and get outcomes.

Global Perspective

Students get a global perspective on business from the business school. A basic understanding of various cultures, economies, and political systems of different countries and how they affect business is part of this. These abilities are crucial for any professional since they enable them to successfully navigate the global market and arrive at well-informed conclusions.

Adaptability and Flexibility

Flexibility and adaptability are other skills that students at business schools learn to use while coping with change. It entails being aware of various business models, remaining current with market developments, and having the flexibility to change course and adapt as necessary. These abilities enable you to negotiate the always-shifting business environment, making them crucial for any business professional.

Innovation and expertise

Business schools embrace technology in their courses, instructing students on how it affects business and how to use it to their benefit. In today’s competitive world, technology will be the most significant factor that will help a business cope with the changes.

Self-awareness and self-reflection

Last but not least, business schools instill in their students the value of self-awareness and self-reflection. It encompasses being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses and having the capacity to reflect on one’s decisions and actions. These abilities are crucial for any business professional since they enable you to comprehend your motivations and self, behave wisely, and make better decisions.

These are the competencies that business schools help their students develop.

Every graduate joins a B-school with the excitement and joy of learning something additional to become corporate-ready. B-school helps its students by developing some extraordinary skills and getting self-aware of themselves. It also helps them in knowing how they are unique from their fellow mates and what value they have in them that provokes corporates to hire them. And with similar expectations, I enrolled in PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management) at IBS Gurgaon.

This business school has offered us many skills, giving me the self-assurance and polished demeanor to compete anywhere and with anyone. It compelled me to learn everything that the modern world demands. Not only this, but this B-School is elevating us above those requirements by giving us all something extra.

ICFAI alumnus, Abhay Anand is an Investment Banking professional with expertise in fundraising (PE, VC & Structured funding) and international mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He has advised companies across industries such as Healthcare & Lifesciences, Consumers, IT & Ecommerce, Infrastructure & Cleantech, Financial Services & Industrials.

He has been involved in deal closures of a cumulative value of more than $ 1.25 Bn so far. Abhay is currently working as a Partner at Grant Thornton for the last 8 years.

He is looking after the fundraising and M&A practice in the firm for the western region which he helped set up way back in 2014. Prior to this, he worked as a Director in Cipher Capital, one of the oldest boutique investment banks focused on PE and M&A for about 13 years. He is a regular at several industry platforms like VC Circle for conducting periodic M&A and PE workshops. Abhay completed his PGDBA at ICFAI from the batch 1999 – 2001.

V R Mahadevan is the Finance & IT Director for Saint Gobain Abrasives Asia Pacific. Having been with the Saint Gobain group for 22 years, he has multi-faceted global experience with expertise in Business management, Finance & Strategy, Global Sourcing and business development. He has developed a global perspective by working in Paris for about 6 years; and presently as the CFO in Bangkok of a large business in a diverse & interesting emerging market – Asia Pacific. He has a consistent track record of high performance and building professional & cross-cultural teams in India, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Prior to the APAC stint, he has successfully managed an overall P & L responsibility in India. He has hands on experience in implementing World Class manufacturing (WCM) initiatives to improve operational metrics, and significantly transform factories through Industry 4.0

He is exposed and sensitized to business practices in different businesses (manufacturing, distribution) in different parts of the world. He has assisted newly acquired companies to improve their processes and achieve good corporate governance; in his present role he is working on a few acquisitions for transformational growth in Asia Pacific.

An Engineering graduate and an ICWA, he was part of the first batch of CFA-PGDBA program with IBS Mumbai in 1995.