STICK TO THE CASE, DO NOT ASSUME – AN MMBA5 STUDENT DIARY

Let me take you on a journey through my experience with the Analysis of Business Problems course. I started taking this course about three weeks ago, and it is a vital part of my MBA academic journey. It’s said to provide me with invaluable insights and skills, so far I can say this has happened, but the journey just started, and this is not what this post is about. 

Before I deviate any further, let’s dive in. While trying to analyze a case during one of our recent sessions, I heard a resounding “Stick to the case, do not assume” from our facilitator and this made me wonder, why could I not infer? If the case does not have any logical reasoning (by my standards), does this mean I could not exert my opinions? All these thoughts went through my mind just before the session ended. I went further into deep search and I realized that truly, maybe she was right, especially because after all, the problems in the case studies are not happening to the organization in real-time. 

You see, I researched that this aspect of the Analysis of Business Problems course is about more than just theory and textbooks. It’s about applying what we learn to real-world situations. And that’s where case studies come in. They’re like the bridge that connects the dots between the classroom and the boardroom, offering a glimpse into the complexities of the business world.

The case studies are more than just stories so why infer your opinions? They’re real-world challenges that companies could have faced. They bring the practical side of business right into the classroom. The entire point is that through these scenarios, I could see how the “systematic processes” I had learned in our first session could be put into action. Yes, systematic because you do not go to point 3 from point 1 before stopping at point 2. 

It’s like taking a step into the business world without leaving the classroom. They demand that you think critically, analyze data, and evaluate options. This kind of course doesn’t just teach you how to solve problems; it teaches you how to think. One could say that it’s an essential skill in the ever-evolving business landscape. 

I said to myself again, if it teaches me to think, why not think within the boundaries of “the systematic processes”, why was I against it? 

I like to think of myself as a “problem solver”. Yes, I know the word may have made you roll your eyes, but really, I am one. Maybe that’s why I had some form of doubt about not inferring my opinions to cases. But then again, at the heart of the Analysis of Business Problems course is problem-solving. So these cases could also be like a rehearsal for the challenges I might face in my career. 

We all know theory is great, right? but it truly comes to life when you apply it. So these case studies could let me put my knowledge to the test in a controlled environment. You get to practice and make mistakes without real-world consequences. Who wouldn’t want that? Why did I want to add logic gotten from my other lived experiences? Once again, I thought to myself, sticking to the case studies, wouldn’t be so bad, will it? Of course, I answered myself with a resounding “Yes”.

So, if you’re a young MBA student like myself and these thoughts may pop up in your mind, just remember that I have done the research for you and that when it comes to any case studies, STICK TO THEM and DO NOT ASSUME. 

#MMBA5