I did not get a chance on Monday to talk about the course wiki that we will develop. This will be an interesting project to which we will all be able to contribute individually. I will explain everything in due course, but a key factor will be the grading for the wiki. You see on the syllabus that the points for the final exam are variable, and the points for the wiki are variable as well. This means that if our wiki goes extremely well, I may make the decision to replace the the final exam with the wiki contribution.

Here are the instructions for the HBSP Cases

The X-Box Case, which is due Oct. 15, can be found here:

http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/relay.jhtml?name=cp&c=c12098

The x-Box questions are as follows:

For each question, use concepts from the models discussed in class OR from www.12manage.com.

1) Based on your reading of case, describe the strategic advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft’s approach as compared with Sony’s approach. Name the concepts you are using and highlight them in italics.

2) Based on your reading of the case, evaluate the strategic pros and cons intrapreneurship versus entrepreneurship for product development. Name the concepts you are using and highlight them in italics.

The Google Case, which is due Sept. 24, can be found here:

http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/relay.jhtml?name=cp&c=c16934

Questions for the Google Case:

1) What were the key factors behind Google's early success? (Use course concepts!)

2) Is the search business destined to become more concentrated -- In other words, is it a winner-take-all business? (Use course concepts!)

3) In addition to enhancing its core search business, should Google also branch out into new arenas? Should it become an e-commerce intermediary like eBay? (Use you-know-what!)

The Zara Case, which is due Sept. 17, can be found here:

http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/relay.jhtml?name=cp&c=c11524

NOTE ABOUT THE ZARA CASE:  USE OF COURSE CONCEPTS IS EXPECTED IN YOUR ANSWERS TO ALL CASES. YOU MAY DRAW APPROPRIATE COURSE CONCEPTS FROM THE LECTURE OR THE READINGS. IT WILL HELP IF YOU IDENTIFY THE CONCEPTS BY NAME.

The Apple Case, which is due Sept. 10, can be found here:

http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/relay.jhtml?name=cp&c=c10228

If you have not registered with Harvard Business Online, you will be required to do so. This URL will provide you with a list of required materials for use in this course. The products are listed at the bottom of this email. The downloaded course materials are encrypted using SealedMedia. Use the following link to download the plug-in.

http://download.sealedmedia.com/unsealer/index.asp

You will have immediate access to the materials upon placing your order. For subsequent access, you must login to

 http://harvardbusinessonline.org

The Apple case questions and instructions are as follows:

1) I realize that I have not given a lecture yet and we are not meeting on Sept. 3, so you are not able to use course concepts from the lectures in your analysis of the Apple case. Nevertheless, please do your best to use ideas from the short article assigned in the syllabus, which is here: http://www.fool.com/research/2000/foolsden000825.htm

2) Remember that you are to answer the questions from the point of view of one of two professionals: An Apple spokesperson or a independent analyst, such as a technical business analyst at large financial analysis firm. The Apple person would be pro-Apple, and the analyst would be anti-Apple.

Here are the three questions that I would like you to answer in a total of about one page, ss:

a) Historically, what were Apple's major competitive advantages?

b) How has the PC industry changed over the past 15 years or so, and how has this affected Apple?

c) Has Steve Jobs finally solved Apple's problems? Is the iPod different, and if so, how?

Here are the instructions for using the HBSP IT Concepts Course

http://elearning.hbsp.org/sponsor.html?sponsorCode=119bFall07

1) Enter your email address and click GO (The Sponsor Code should  already be prepopulated with 119bsp07)

2) Create a username and password, enter your first and last names, and click CONTINUE (again, the Sponsor Code should be prepopulated with 119bsp07).

3) From your Launch Pad, click on Program Catalog over on the left side of your screen.

4) Click on the title of the program you wish to view and SELECT NOW. The program will be moved to your Launch Pad, from where you can begin exploring.

5) The next time you visit the site, use this link and sign in with your username and password: http://elearning.hbsp.org

If you have not registered with Harvard Business Online, you will be required to do so. This URL will provide you with a list of required materials for use in this course. The products are listed at the bottom of this email. The downloaded course materials are encrypted using SealedMedia. Use the following link to download the plug-in.

http://download.sealedmedia.com/unsealer/index.asp

You will have immediate access to the materials upon placing your order. For subsequent access, you must login to

 http://harvardbusinessonline.org