Case_In_Point_7th_Edition_Page001_183_2

CS5 Flintstone, Potter and Coke
Summarize the case and verif y the o bective.Summarize j
the question and verify the objective, which is
to determine if this is a good idea. The interviewer also asked for a pros and cons list.
In a question like this, the interviewer would probably want you to list out the pros and cons first, before
getting into a deeper discussion. He will usually tell you if he wants the list first.
A ros and cons list.The first thing you want to do is to draw a line down the middle of your paper and
label one side “pros” and the other “cons.” Then ask for a minute to jot down your thoughts. (You do this
for several reasons.) Write them down however they pop into your head, but you’ll want to present the
pros first and then the cons. Also, if you try to do this off the top of your head, there is a good chance that
the interviewer will cut you off in mid-sentence because he knows where you are headed. It is very
difficult to come up with another answer when you are cut off in the middle of your original thought. By
writing them down first, it will save you a lot of stress and make you look more professional.
PROS
Diversifies portfolio
National showcase
CONS
Could bring in new retail clients Expensive
Possible cost synergies
Shows innovative thinking
Possible tax advantages
Turn it into a reality TV show
They know nothing of operations
Draws resources away
What if they fail
Company cultures are different
May compete against existing client
p sq luestions. Once the pros and cons are out of the way, you have the opportunity to ask some
questions. The big questions are: Why do they want to do this? Can they afford it? Do they have any
experience running a shoe company? What have been the trends in the running shoe industry? Who are
the major players and how do their products differ from ours? Is there a better way to enter this market?