Assignment

This group assignment is based on the case study Finance Leadership in Norvatis Consumer Health Businesses. The case describes and contrasts the roles and challenges of three high-performing finance heads at Novartis Consumer Health businesses in Australia, Japan, and Venezuela. All three faced tremendous pressures in terms of managing time and limited resources, but the particular circumstances of each business made for some specific challenges. The case examines whether the skills that made these executives successful are portable from one country or region to another. Hence, the case tries to shed light a perennial issue in financial management on how an administrative function such as finance can play a strategic role.

Required

Consistency and flow in presentation of your materials arguably is a key component of your assignment for effective communication. Hence, at the very least, you should prepare a cover page with the following information: The title of the report, your name, your course/module, and the date. Next, enclose the abstract of your report, on its own page, also bearing the title of the report. Then include a Microsoft (MS) based contents page, followed by the main text of the report organised in suggested themes, and finally your references and bibliography as laid out below. The main text of the report should not be more than ten (10) written pages.

In sum, your case report should have the following headings, in this order:

Title Page

Report title, your name, students number, submission date (Any other information for identification)

Maximum score

2.5

Table of Content

Use the MS table editor to structure your report to facilitate flow List of numbered sections and sub-sections in report.

Maximum score

2.5

Executive Summary/Abstract

Summary of the report and recommendations Give a brief background to the company and outline its problems, your recommendations and any assumptions noted

Maximum score

5

Description

Gives a concise description of what seems to be the problem; Identifies the main symptoms not the problem(s); and Describes other relevant contributing factors, no attempt is made at introducing interpretation of information

Maximum score

10

Problem Analysis / Diagnosis

This section is the place where analysts introduce the literatures or analytical frameworks as principle tools to analyse case facts, whether it is analytical and problem solving cases. Identification and analysis of management problems including potential causes (charts, Delphi method, game theory, regression analysis etc.) Integration of theory and case evidence to identify either theory (analytical) or practice gaps (diagnostic).

Maximum score

10

Generation and Evaluation of a range of alternative Solutions

These should follow directly and obviously from your case diagnosis in the previous section These potential solutions should be linked to the key problems [ideally not more than four (4)]; Each alternative should be evaluated by identifying good and bad aspects, including implications for other aspects of the organisation and the people that comprise it; and Range/Relevance/Creativity requiring the engagement of analysts experience, intelligence, emotions, imagination, and above all humanity.

Maximum score

25

Prescriptions/ Recommendations

This section flows obviously and clearly from the results of the last section. Clear statement of which of the alternatives suggested is/are recommended, and why; Decisions should be justified based on relevant theories and/ or course concepts and case facts; and Solutions should potentially solve the key problem/s noted.

Maximum score

15

Action/ Implementation Plan

It is important to try and sketch some features of how, in practical terms, recommendations will turn into a programme of action. Outline action steps that will be involved in actually introducing the recommended solutions. State who/when/how /costs that will be involve in solving the problem. In detail -- identify the places, persons, activities, and contexts of the situation.