Case study discussion questions
Case Study Discussion Questions for Case Studies in Entrepreneurial Management and Finance
Professor Edward H. Chow
Spring 2013
1. (2/20) Introduction and get acquainted: Entrepreneurship and finance
Lecture and discussion:
A perspective on Entrepreneurship, Howard H. Stevenson, 1988 (9-384-131)
How is finance related to corporate objectives?
Note on the financial perspective: What should entrepreneurs know? William A. Sahlman, Harvard Business Publishing (9-293-045)
In your view, what is entrepreneurship?
Homework: Each discussion group prepares a ppt for a 20-minute presentation on the business model of a real company. Please e-mail it to me by February 25.
2. (2/27) Identify entrepreneurial opportunities and development of business model
Lecture and discussion:
Some thoughts on business plans, William A. Sahlman, 1996 (9-897-101)
Note on business model analysis for the entrepreneur, Taz Pirmohamed, 2002 (9-802-048)
Reinventing your business model(R0812C) (Chinese translation in哈佛商業評論繁體中文版2008年12月號：商業模式再創新) 3. (3/06) Managing the risk of early ventures
Beating the odds when you launch a new venture (R1005G) (Chinese translation in 哈佛商業評論繁體中文版2010年9月號：管控風險的創業冒險家)
Case study:
R&R（9-386-019）
1) What is the opportunity in the Trivia game business?
2) Why is it an opportunity for Bob Reiss?
3) Why did others contribute to Reiss’s success?
4) Why is the whole deal economically possible?
5) Are there any non-economic risks?
6) What kind of follow-up should Bob make to his success?
4. (3/13) Exemplary entrepreneurs
Case study:
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, 2008 (9-407-028)
1) How have Gates and Jobs shaped technology? How has technology shaped them and their companies?
2) Compare the leadership styles and approaches of Gates and Jobs. In what ways are they similar? Different?
3) Who do you believe is the better business leader?
4) Who would you want to work for? Who would you want to work for you?
5) How does a
Professor Edward H. Chow
Spring 2013
1. (2/20) Introduction and get acquainted: Entrepreneurship and finance
Lecture and discussion:
A perspective on Entrepreneurship, Howard H. Stevenson, 1988 (9-384-131)
How is finance related to corporate objectives?
Note on the financial perspective: What should entrepreneurs know? William A. Sahlman, Harvard Business Publishing (9-293-045)
In your view, what is entrepreneurship?
Homework: Each discussion group prepares a ppt for a 20-minute presentation on the business model of a real company. Please e-mail it to me by February 25.
2. (2/27) Identify entrepreneurial opportunities and development of business model
Lecture and discussion:
Some thoughts on business plans, William A. Sahlman, 1996 (9-897-101)
Note on business model analysis for the entrepreneur, Taz Pirmohamed, 2002 (9-802-048)
Reinventing your business model(R0812C) (Chinese translation in哈佛商業評論繁體中文版2008年12月號：商業模式再創新) 3. (3/06) Managing the risk of early ventures
Beating the odds when you launch a new venture (R1005G) (Chinese translation in 哈佛商業評論繁體中文版2010年9月號：管控風險的創業冒險家)
Case study:
R&R（9-386-019）
1) What is the opportunity in the Trivia game business?
2) Why is it an opportunity for Bob Reiss?
3) Why did others contribute to Reiss’s success?
4) Why is the whole deal economically possible?
5) Are there any non-economic risks?
6) What kind of follow-up should Bob make to his success?
4. (3/13) Exemplary entrepreneurs
Case study:
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, 2008 (9-407-028)
1) How have Gates and Jobs shaped technology? How has technology shaped them and their companies?
2) Compare the leadership styles and approaches of Gates and Jobs. In what ways are they similar? Different?
3) Who do you believe is the better business leader?
4) Who would you want to work for? Who would you want to work for you?
5) How does a