Cultural Challenges between the US and France Management Practices: An American in Paris
Please write an executive summary of this case:
Executive Summary Format:
- Introduction and Problem Statement
A brief one-paragraph description of the major issue presented in the case. This should include background on any economic, political, market or competitive
situation. It may include organizational issue, technical issues, financial issues,
ethical issues, policy considerations, etc. This section should also include a
specific statement of the problem or issue presented in the case.This problem statement usually does not exceed two or three sentences.Remember,this is not a
question-but a statement of the problem.
- Environmental Analysis
An analysis of critical internal and external issues which impact most
significantly on the case.
Introduction & Problem Statement
The introduction is used to provide some general background from the case,and
introduce the particular issue that is the primary focus of the case.Students use the
introduction as a sort of “warm up” for structuring their approach to the case.It’s usually a single,short paragraph and we encourage students to use their own summary skills
rather than any words from the case author.
The problem statement is always the most difficult part of the format for students,
partly because the problem (or issue) is usually not directly stated in the case.However,it
is the most important part of the case analysis because it requires a thoughtful analysis and synthesis of information,Most cases are loaded with superfluous information which has little bearing on the real issue presented in the case,and a clear statement of the problem
allows for a focused recommendation.If the problem is fuzzy and not clear stated,then the resolution is usually equally fuzzy and does not bring closure to the issue,The best
problem statement can be made in a single sentence.For example,’Sales are declining and profitability has slipped from 10% to 5% over the past five years.”Or,the “ACME
Company does not have sufficient capacity to meet the forecasted demand of 10 million
units per year.”If possible it is always better to quantify the problem because it helps to
bring specific closure to the recommendation.
Students sometimes frame the problem in terms of general solutions such as:”The company must determine how to increase sales and increase profits.”Or,sometimes they even put the specific resolution into the problem statement,such as:”The ACME
Company must borrow sufficient capital to build a new manufacturing plant.” These are not problems,but possible solutions to unstated problems.When students
introduce solutions in the problem statement,it eliminates the discussion of alternatives.
Environmental Analysis
This section of the Executive Summary format allows the student to frame the issue in the appropriate context of the department, the company, the industry, the product line,
the market,etc.It provides the student the opportunity to show how he/she understands the environment,whatever it might be.In this section industry norms can be stated to show
relationships and relative strengths or weaknesses.If resources are an issue this is the
place to discuss it,as well as issues such as the market,competition,customers,technology,government regulations,legal requirements,social trends,personnel,interpersonal relations,etc.