strategic-management

208 PART 2 • STRATEGY FORMULATION
A classic book on power relationships, The Prince, was written by Niccolo Machiavelli.
Several excerpts from The Prince follow:
Men must either be cajoled or crushed, for they will revenge themselves for slight wrongs, while for
grave ones they cannot. The injury therefore that you do to a man should be such that you need not
fear his revenge.
We must bear in mind ...that there is nothing more difficult and dangerous, or more doubtful
of success, than an attempt to introduce a new order of things in any state. The innovator has for
enemies all those who derived advantages from the old order of things, while those who expect to be
benefitted by the new institution will be but lukewarm defenders.
A wise prince, therefore, will steadily pursue such a course that the citizens of his state will
always and under all circumstances feel the need for his authority, and will therefore always prove
faithful to him.
A prince should seem to be merciful, faithful, humane, religious, and upright, and should even
be so in reality, but he should have his mind so trained that, when occasion requires it, he may know
how to change to the opposite. 3
Notes
1. Richard Christie and Florence Geis, Studies in Machiavellianism (Orlando, FL: Academic Press,
1970). Material in this exercise adapted with permission of the authors and the Academic Press.
2. Ibid., 82–83.
3. Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince (New York: The Washington Press, 1963).
Assurance of Learning Exercise 6G
Developing a BCG Matrix for My University
Purpose
Developing a BCG Matrix for many nonprofit organizations, including colleges and universities,
is a useful exercise. Of course, there are no profits for each division or department—and
in some cases no revenues. However, you can be creative in performing a BCG Matrix. For
example, the pie slice in the circles can represent the number of majors receiving jobs upon
graduation, the number of faculty teaching in that area, or some other variable that you
believe is important to consider. The size of the circles can represent the number of students
majoring in particular departments or areas.
Instructions
Step 1 On a separate sheet of paper, develop a BCG Matrix for your university. Include all academic
schools, departments, or colleges.
Step 2 Diagram your BCG Matrix on the blackboard.
Step 3 Discuss differences among the BCG Matrices on the board.
Assurance of Learning Exercise 6H
The Role of Boards of Directors
Purpose
This exercise will give you a better understanding of the role of boards of directors in formulating,
implementing, and evaluating strategies.
Instructions
Identify a person in your community who serves on a board of directors. Make an appointment
to interview that person, and seek answers to the following questions. Summarize your findings
in a five-minute oral report to the class.
• On what board are you a member?
• How often does the board meet?
• How long have you served on the board?
• What role does the board play in this company?