3/27/2009

Comments from Prof Venkat

CaseComp2009: Now, Professor Venkat, you've been involved in the competition for 2 years running, what are the major differences comparing the case last year and this year?
Prof Venkat: This year's case is definitely more challenging and the major difference is that the case presented this year relates directly to the hearts and minds of top Ericsson executives. Last year's case revolved around strategies for a specific Ericsson client. The fact that 25 executives from Ericsson, including the President and CEO, Ericsson, Carl-Hendric flying in from Stockholm are judging the competition is a clear indication of the importance of this competition to Ericsson.

Participants have been informed to set up the issues and recommendations for Hans Vestberg, CFO to present to Carl-Henric, President and CEO over the course of the next few weeks. (Management team of Ericsson, http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/corpinfo/management/index.shtml). Adding to that, a convention in Las Vegas next week where Ercisson's executives will discuss the issues facing the company; what the participants have to say during these 2 days will impact conversations within Ericsson in one way or another.

CaseComp2009: What are the top of the mind challenges facing the competitors early on in the game?
Prof Venkat: I think the participants would have done their homework before the start of this competition but how much more analysis has to be done within the next 24 hours remains to be seen. How the teams strategize and divide up the work between them and make the best use of their time will make a difference to the team's performance. I certainly look forward to the presentations tomorrow.

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