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our plane lands in 15 minutes, how would you go about answering these questions? This type of case is very mon, particularly in strategy firms like McKinsey and Bain. The interviewer doesn39。s where they have core skills. In existing businesses they can grow their product market or consider vertical integration. ... Feel out the interviewer: Where are the opportunities? What might be some options you can readily eliminate, . is vertical integration really a viable option for a healthcare provider? Continue to work through the tree systematically. If you ask about opportunities for pushing new products into existing markets and the interviewer seems very interested, pursue this path by offering suggestions for potentially viable new products. CASE 3: The Probing Case A superregional bank is attempting to increase its operating efficiency as a way to boost profitability. You have been asked to look at the noninterest, nonpersonnel expense base ( purchases expenses as a possible source of cost reduction opportunities. How would you determine the potential size of the opportunity for increased operating efficiency? What issues might you run into as you begin such as study? This case is asking you several questions simultaneously most of them are related to the size of opportunity and the means by which you could measure and manage the opportunity. Opening... Explore what kinds of information you would need to conduct such a study. Where would it e from? Often General Ledger and Accounts Payable systems do not provide the necessary information. Probing... How would you determine whether certain groups of goods and services are more promising for reductions? Make assumptions based on the replies you get from the interviewer and clearly articulate them. The point is to interact with the interviewer and develop the case and its solution together. The interviewer is checking to see that you are good at establishing rapport, at listening, and at adapting to changes he/she makes in the basic structure of the situation. Some Other Practice Cases... A chain of grocery stores currently receives its stock on a decentralized basis. Each store deals independently with its suppliers. The president of the chain is wondering whether the firm can benefit from a centralized warehouse. What are the key considerations in making this decision? A magazine publisher is trying to decide how many magazines she should deliver to each individual distribution outlet in order to maximize profits. She has extensive historical sales volume data for each of the outlets. How should she determine delivery q