【内含两个Mckinsey Style Case】Wharton Casebook 2005.pdfVIP

Wharton Casebook 2005 – 2006 Edition Case 1: Maldovian Coffins st McKinsey, 1 Round About This Case This case was given by McKinsey in first-round interviews and is a “command and control” case. In this style of case, the interviewer allows the candidate to drive the case initially to explore possible routes to a solution. However, once the candidate has laid out a plan, the interviewer takes control and asks the candidate to solve a few specific problems before coming to the final conclusion. When giving this case, allow for some initial planning and brainstorming by the candidate, but then firmly take control of each of the “modules” described below. Try to move the candidate along through each of them, since in the actual interview only those candidates that complete all of the sections will be considered to have done well. This case tests mental horsepower and the ability to move to conclusions quickly. The Problem Our client is a coffin maker in the Eastern European country of Maldovia. He has seen substantial change in his market in recent years and is contemplating the future of his business. Up until now, he has been in the business of building high-quality, hand- crafted coffins largely by hand with a skilled labor force. Recently, however, he has become aware of technology that would allow him to build machine-made coffins with much less labor. Should he invest in this new technology, and should he even remain in the coffin business in the first place? Information Gathering Read this information well before you give the case. Note that this case requires you (the interviewer) to drive key points in the discussion. Allow the candidate to formulate a plan and then prompt him/her to consider each of the topics