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  • 1.  video in the core strategy course

    Posted 10-12-2005 14:18
    Dear colleagues,
     
    I am starting to teach a core Strategy course to MBA students next year. To spice up the first session on "What Is Strategy" I would like to use some short video (either from a movie or custom-made ) to set up discussion of what strategy really means. Does any one of you uses short video clips during the first session on strategic management? I know of one clip from the Godfather where the mafia bosses discuss pros and cons of entering the heroine business, but this one I am saving for the session of firm diversification.
     
    Thank you in advance.
     
    Andrew V. Shipilov
    Assistant Professor (Strategy)
    INSEAD
    Boulevard de Constance
    Fontainebleau 77305 Cedex France


  • 2.  video in the core strategy course

    Posted 10-13-2005 08:03
    Dear All,
    I suggest the "Gladiator", only the first 10 minutes.
    Greatings
    mr
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 8:18 PM
    Subject: video in the core strategy course

    Dear colleagues,
     
    I am starting to teach a core Strategy course to MBA students next year. To spice up the first session on "What Is Strategy" I would like to use some short video (either from a movie or custom-made ) to set up discussion of what strategy really means. Does any one of you uses short video clips during the first session on strategic management? I know of one clip from the Godfather where the mafia bosses discuss pros and cons of entering the heroine business, but this one I am saving for the session of firm diversification.
     
    Thank you in advance.
     
    Andrew V. Shipilov
    Assistant Professor (Strategy)
    INSEAD
    Boulevard de Constance
    Fontainebleau 77305 Cedex France


  • 3.  video in the core strategy course

    Posted 10-13-2005 08:15
    This may work for you, a colleague of mine here at Cornell has created an e-Clips collection that contains thousands of video clips that were created from in-depth video interviews or presentations by startup and experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, bankers, angel investors, and employees of startup companies. You can find the clips at http://e-clips.cornell.edu/
     
    Good luck
     
    Cathy
     
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    Cathy A. Enz, Ph.D.
    The Lewis G. Schaeneman Jr. Professor
    of Innovation and Dynamic Management
    Cornell University
    School of Hotel Administration
    Ithaca, NY 14853-6902 USA
    Phone 607 255-8841
     
     
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Business Policy and Strategy List [mailto:BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of SHIPILOV Andrew
    Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 2:18 PM
    To: BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: video in the core strategy course

    Dear colleagues,
     
    I am starting to teach a core Strategy course to MBA students next year. To spice up the first session on "What Is Strategy" I would like to use some short video (either from a movie or custom-made ) to set up discussion of what strategy really means. Does any one of you uses short video clips during the first session on strategic management? I know of one clip from the Godfather where the mafia bosses discuss pros and cons of entering the heroine business, but this one I am saving for the session of firm diversification.
     
    Thank you in advance.
     
    Andrew V. Shipilov
    Assistant Professor (Strategy)
    INSEAD
    Boulevard de Constance
    Fontainebleau 77305 Cedex France


  • 4.  video in the core strategy course

    Posted 10-14-2005 06:16
    There is a Discovery Channel DVD titled "Conquerors: Alexander the Great" that I have just discovered - you can show the Persian War - timing from16.10 to 19.20 minutes and then Gorgamela - timing from 27.00 to 35.00 minutes.  These 11 minutes can be very powerful and effective in conveying what strategy means in an introduction session. You need to get their clearance for use in class. Thanks for the Godfather tip.
     
    Ganesh

    Ganesh N. Prabhu
    Associate Professor (Corporate Strategy and Policy Area)
    Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
    Bannerghatta Road, BANGALORE 560076 India

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Business Policy and Strategy List [mailto:BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU]On Behalf Of SHIPILOV Andrew
    Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 11:48 PM
    To: BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: video in the core strategy course

    Dear colleagues,
     
    I am starting to teach a core Strategy course to MBA students next year. To spice up the first session on "What Is Strategy" I would like to use some short video (either from a movie or custom-made ) to set up discussion of what strategy really means. Does any one of you uses short video clips during the first session on strategic management? I know of one clip from the Godfather where the mafia bosses discuss pros and cons of entering the heroine business, but this one I am saving for the session of firm diversification.
     
    Thank you in advance.
     
    Andrew V. Shipilov
    Assistant Professor (Strategy)
    INSEAD
    Boulevard de Constance
    Fontainebleau 77305 Cedex France


  • 5.  video in the core strategy course

    Posted 10-14-2005 08:52
    iI Andrew,

    There's a rather hilarious scene in an episode of TV's south park (episode #217, where the children meet a group of underpants-stealing gnomes. The gnomes are all part of a corporate empire. When the gnomes are asked why they're stealing the underpants, they reply that it's part of big plan. "Phase 1, steal underwear". "Phase 3, Profit". Nobody knows what step two is.

    http://www.tv.com/south-park/gnomes-a.k.a.-underpants-gnomes/episode/2446/summary.html

    -Ariel



    SHIPILOV Andrew wrote:
    Dear colleagues,
     
    I am starting to teach a core Strategy course to MBA students next year. To spice up the first session on "What Is Strategy" I would like to use some short video (either from a movie or custom-made ) to set up discussion of what strategy really means. Does any one of you uses short video clips during the first session on strategic management? I know of one clip from the Godfather where the mafia bosses discuss pros and cons of entering the heroine business, but this one I am saving for the session of firm diversification.
     
    Thank you in advance.
     
    Andrew V. Shipilov
    Assistant Professor (Strategy)
    INSEAD
    Boulevard de Constance
    Fontainebleau 77305 Cedex France

    --  Ariel Fishman Doctoral Student, Management Division Columbia University, Graduate School of Business


  • 6.  video in the core strategy course

    Posted 10-17-2005 10:44
    The opening scenes of Gladiator show a functional structure, the Roman Army, soundly defeating the Germanics having no structure. Pretty bloody but the graphics are useful. You can see clearly the different functional areas--archers, artillery (catapults), cavalry, foot soldiers, etc.

    Braveheart shows the need to have a strategy when they defeat the English in the main battle and to use the appropriate strategy for the appropriate situation.

    Breast Men is a great example of push strategies and also for entrepreneurship. They built a fortune in breast implants, lost it in litigation, and built another in the removal business.

    Monty Python Holy Grail shows the need for logical thinking in the 'She's a Witch/Duck' dialog.

    Sorry I don't have the times or further specifics. All of my videos were destroyed when Katrina ate my house.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    /s/ Erich N. Brockmann, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Management
    University of New Orleans
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ________________________________

    From: Business Policy and Strategy List on behalf of Ganesh N Prabhu
    Sent: Fri 10/14/2005 5:15 AM
    To: BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Re: video in the core strategy course


    There is a Discovery Channel DVD titled "Conquerors: Alexander the Great" that I have just discovered - you can show the Persian War - timing from16.10 to 19.20 minutes and then Gorgamela - timing from 27.00 to 35.00 minutes. These 11 minutes can be very powerful and effective in conveying what strategy means in an introduction session. You need to get their clearance for use in class. Thanks for the Godfather tip.

    Ganesh
    Ganesh N. Prabhu
    Associate Professor (Corporate Strategy and Policy Area)
    Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
    Bannerghatta Road, BANGALORE 560076 India

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Business Policy and Strategy List [mailto:BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU]On Behalf Of SHIPILOV Andrew
    Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 11:48 PM
    To: BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: video in the core strategy course



    Dear colleagues,

    I am starting to teach a core Strategy course to MBA students next year. To spice up the first session on "What Is Strategy" I would like to use some short video (either from a movie or custom-made ) to set up discussion of what strategy really means. Does any one of you uses short video clips during the first session on strategic management? I know of one clip from the Godfather where the mafia bosses discuss pros and cons of entering the heroine business, but this one I am saving for the session of firm diversification.

    Thank you in advance.

    Andrew V. Shipilov
    Assistant Professor (Strategy)
    INSEAD
    Boulevard de Constance
    Fontainebleau 77305 Cedex France
    http://www.insead.fr/facultyresearch/strategy/shipilov/index.htm <http://www.insead.fr/facultyresearch/strategy/shipilov/index.htm>


  • 7.  video in the core strategy course

    Posted 10-17-2005 15:04
    Not a video, but a great single paragraph MBA icebreaker for BPS (and for OT).
     

    In the Garden

    by Mark Meckler, Ph.D. University of Portland

    Walking under the cherry tree, the apricot tree the plum tree and the nectarine tree with

    my watering can, strawberry vines and raspberry canes at my feet, I think about what it

    will take to avoid disease in the garden this year. I look at the neat hedges I maintain

    protecting my garden from my neighbors. I wonder what will it take to promote the growth that I

    want? How do I end up with a yield of the sweetest fruit? How about the most fruit? Should I

    cross-bread and bring a new fruit to the market this year? Will I have the proper fruit to be able

    to trade for vegetables and meats I need for the winter? How do I set myself up for more success

    next year? And what of the years after that? And, I sadly think, what shall I do with the

    wonderful apple tree I climbed as a child that now yields so little fruit?

    All these thoughts I have walking under the cherry tree, the apricot tree the plum tree and the

    nectarine tree with my watering can.

     
    Dr. Mark Meckler
    Associate Professor
    R.B. Pamplin Jr. School of Business Administration
    University of Portland
    5000 N. Willamette Blvd.
    Portland, Oregon 97210 USA
    503 943 7467

    From: Business Policy and Strategy List on behalf of Enz, Cathy
    Sent: Thu 10/13/2005 5:15 AM
    To: BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Re: video in the core strategy course

    This may work for you, a colleague of mine here at Cornell has created an e-Clips collection that contains thousands of video clips that were created from in-depth video interviews or presentations by startup and experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, bankers, angel investors, and employees of startup companies. You can find the clips at http://e-clips.cornell.edu/
     
    Good luck
     
    Cathy
     
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    Cathy A. Enz, Ph.D.
    The Lewis G. Schaeneman Jr. Professor
    of Innovation and Dynamic Management
    Cornell University
    School of Hotel Administration
    Ithaca, NY 14853-6902 USA
    Phone 607 255-8841
     
     
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Business Policy and Strategy List [mailto:BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of SHIPILOV Andrew
    Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 2:18 PM
    To: BPS-NET@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: video in the core strategy course

    Dear colleagues,
     
    I am starting to teach a core Strategy course to MBA students next year. To spice up the first session on "What Is Strategy" I would like to use some short video (either from a movie or custom-made ) to set up discussion of what strategy really means. Does any one of you uses short video clips during the first session on strategic management? I know of one clip from the Godfather where the mafia bosses discuss pros and cons of entering the heroine business, but this one I am saving for the session of firm diversification.
     
    Thank you in advance.
     
    Andrew V. Shipilov
    Assistant Professor (Strategy)
    INSEAD
    Boulevard de Constance
    Fontainebleau 77305 Cedex France


  • 8.  video in the core strategy course

    Posted 10-17-2005 19:31
    Andrew,
     
        I'm not sure that this fits perfectly with what you're looking for, but if you'd like to try something a little different, you might consider the following. There is a cartoon version of the Dr. Seuss book "The Lorax" (available online from places like Amazon). I've edited out [most of] the songs and cut the video down to 14 min. For anyone who might be interested, I've copied/modified my personal notes on the video below.
     
    - Jon O'Brien
     
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
        The lorax tells the tale of the "Onceler" who comes upon some unique trees, makes a product from these trees, but eventually exhausts all the trees and goes out of business. Although the cartoon contains a poignant environmental message, I ask my class to put that aside for the moment and only consider the story from a profit maximization perspective. Students will generally say that the Once-ler wasn't very smart and didn't plan ahead. I like the video because when we start analyzing it strategically, you might come to a different conclusion [note - it helps if students have some notion from previous classes of "resources and capabilities"].
     
    - Point out how much money the Onceler seemed to be making. Try to lead students to realize that sooner or later, some aspiring entrepreneur is bound to notice and try to copy what he is doing. [point: Imitation]
     
    - Ask how you might compete with the Onceler? Answers will typically tend towards a exact copy of his product or a lower priced knock-off. If you show the video later in the course, students might recognize that the Onceler eventually automated production, and thus might enjoy some economies of scale and hence a cost advantage, unless you enter on a large scale too. Thus, some differentiated/high-value/niche variety of the product may be wiser. [Point: positioning]
     
    - Ask: what are the critical capabilities for making thneeds (the product)? The only critical capability seems to be the ability to knit the thneeds, which doesn't appear to be that hard as the Onceler quickly trained all his relatives to do it in the beginning. Thus, a potential entrant could either figure it out themselves, or hire away a knitter who was laid off when the Onceler automated.
     
    - Ask: what are the critical resources for making thneeds (the product)? The only critical resource is the truffula trees. Thus, a crucial question is whether the Onceler actually all the land where the trees are. The video is not clear on this point, but one is left with the impression that the Onceler was some sort of homesteading settler and just harvesting the trees off of "public" land.
     
    - Thus, aside from the potential economies of scale issue, there don't appear to be any substantive barriers to imitation. Now lead students into revisiting the wisdom of the Onceler's business model. It was only a matter of time before entrants copied what the Onceler was doing, and eventually drove economic profits to zero. Thus, by moving fast and exploiting the resource as fully and quickly as possible, the Onceler may very well have made a lot more money than he would have had he employed a slower, more sustainable approach.
     
    Optional Discussions:
    - Turn to a discussion of the environmental/social responsibility issues raised by the video.
    - What if we assume the Onceler did actually own all the land. How should have proceeded? My impression is that "thneeds" are a faddish product, and it may still be wise to proceed quickly.
    - You could also ask the class to imagine that the trees were public land but inexhaustible, and ask how the Onceler might have tried to protect himself from imitation. How could you establish a sustainable value or cost advantage? Are barriers to imitation possible? Branding perhaps? Perhaps you buy up all the land once money starts rolling in? But, if the early success of the thneeds leads others to recognize the value of truffula trees, the price of the land will be bid up to the point of leaving no economic profits.
     
     
     
    ----- Original Message -----
    Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 1:18 PM
    Subject: video in the core strategy course

    Dear colleagues,
     
    I am starting to teach a core Strategy course to MBA students next year. To spice up the first session on "What Is Strategy" I would like to use some short video (either from a movie or custom-made ) to set up discussion of what strategy really means. Does any one of you uses short video clips during the first session on strategic management? I know of one clip from the Godfather where the mafia bosses discuss pros and cons of entering the heroine business, but this one I am saving for the session of firm diversification.
     
    Thank you in advance.
     
    Andrew V. Shipilov
    Assistant Professor (Strategy)
    INSEAD
    Boulevard de Constance
    Fontainebleau 77305 Cedex France