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This note details the basic components of case-based learning, a method chosen by professors for its effectiveness. Designed as an introduction, this note outlines the goals of case learning, how to prepare for class discussions and what to expect during group assignments.

On January 2006, the director of performance management for Callaway Golf Canada (Callaway Canada) was in his Toronto office preparing for his upcoming meeting with Callaway Canada's managing director. The managing director had asked the director of performance management to assess the results of the mobile performance team (MPT) and to design a plan for the 2008 golf season that would ensure that Callaway Canada would stay one step ahead of its competitors, who, the director of performance management believed, were preparing to increase their focus and resources on service.

Lauren McDonald, a recently promoted manager at the public accounting firm Ernst & Young in London, Ontario, has an appointment with one of her senior staff accountants. McDonald had met with the staff accountant two months earlier as part of the staff accountant's mid-year performance review. The meeting had also included an informal discussion as to whether the staff accountant was on track for a promotion to manager, which would be decided later in the year. The staff accountant had asked McDonald for another meeting to discuss the responsibilities of becoming a manager in more detail. McDonald had faced many challenges in her three months as a manager and had not had time to reflect on her own performance. However, she wanted to share her experiences with the staff accountant to better prepare her for the challenges she might face in the coming year.

A carpenter is considering options for improving the manufacturing process of his custom wood-flooring concept. He started the business as a part-time venture and wanted to increase production efficiency to accommodate the growing interest for his pine flooring design. The carpenter was unsure whether he should invest in new equipment or hire part-time labor, but he knew that either way, he would have to change the current process to ensure that capacity would meet the upcoming year's forecasted demand.

A carpenter is considering options for improving the manufacturing process of his custom wood-flooring concept. He started the business as a part-time venture and wanted to increase production efficiency to accommodate the growing interest for his pine flooring design. The carpenter was unsure whether he should invest in new equipment or hire part-time labour, but he knew that either way, he would have to change the current process to ensure that capacity would meet the upcoming year's forecasted demand.

Emily Holland-Power was eager to start looking for permanent employment. Holland-Power was entering the final year of the two-year honors bachelor of arts program in business administration at the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. From her summer work at Lalani, O'Hagan & John, an accounting firm in London, she had concluded that accounting was not for her. However, she had also decided that she wanted to work in a professional firm. Thus, Holland-Power wanted to learn more about opportunities in management consulting and investment banking. She decided to meet with two of her classmates who had worked in each of these occupations. After asking them about various aspects of their jobs and the firms for which they worked, Holland-Power needed to decide which career path to pursue.

Emily Holland-Power was eager to start looking for permanent employment. Holland-Power was entering the final year of the two-year honours bachelor of arts program in business administration at the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. From her summer work at Lalani, O'Hagan & John, an accounting firm in London, she had concluded that accounting was not for her. However, she had also decided that she wanted to work in a professional firm. Thus, Holland-Power wanted to learn more about opportunities in management consulting and investment banking. She decided to meet with two of her classmates who had worked in each of these occupations. After asking them about various aspects of their jobs and the firms for which they worked, Holland-Power needed to decide which career path to pursue.

A summer employee at NoVeggie Inc. (NoVeggie) of Toronto, Ontario, was analyzing the viability of changing delivery companies. NoVeggie's largest client, Select Grocers (Select), had recently decided to introduce NoVeggie's products to a new group of Select's grocery stores in Ontario. Although this move would increase sales, it was also expected to increase delivery costs. Now the summer employee is trying to determine the actual delivery costs in order to assess whether the increase in sales would be beneficial, or whether changes in the delivery system were necessary.

The majority partner in the Hooplah Media Group (Hooplah) of Toronto, Ontario, was trying to decide what to do about one of Hooplah's website design contractors (contractor). The contractor had taken on a project directly with a key contact at JewelWorks Inc., one of Hooplah's largest clients, without going through Hooplah. As an independent contractor, he offered to design a website for JewelWorks Inc. for a lower price than Hooplah's rate. Apparently, the project was not going smoothly, and there was significant tension between the contractor and the contact at JewelWorks Inc. The majority partner at Hooplah was unsure how he should react to the contractors' involvement with JewelWorks Inc. and whether he should assist in the completion of the website.

Wayne Eisener has received two job offers. The first offer is an executive vice-president position at Richmond Hill Mortgages (RHM). The second offer is a junior lawyer position at Weiler and Simons LLP, Barristers and Solicitors. The mortgage company offers a small base salary but potentially large commissions in the long run. The law firm offers a higher base salary and the opportunity to be promoted to partner within five years. However, Eisener would need to update his knowledge of law substantially. As he reflects on the advantages and disadvantages of each job, Eisener must consider his past and how each job will help him accomplish the goals of providing for his family and creating a resurgence in his career.

The majority partner in the Hooplah Media Group (Hooplah) of Toronto, Ontario, was trying to decide what to do about one of Hooplah's website design contractors (contractor). The contractor had taken on a project directly with a key contact at JewelWorks Inc., one of Hooplah's largest clients, without going through Hooplah. As an independent contractor, he offered to design a website for JewelWorks Inc. for a lower price than Hooplah's rate. Apparently, the project was not going smoothly, and there was significant tension between the contractor and the contact at JewelWorks Inc. The majority partner at Hooplah was unsure how he should react to the contractors' involvement with JewelWorks Inc. and whether he should assist in the completion of the website.

A summer employee at NoVeggie Inc. (NoVeggie) of Toronto, Ontario, was analyzing the viability of changing delivery companies. NoVeggie's largest client, Select Grocers (Select), had recently decided to introduce NoVeggie's products to a new group of Select's grocery stores in Ontario. Although this move would increase sales, it was also expected to increase delivery costs. Now the summer employee is trying to determine the actual delivery costs in order to assess whether the increase in sales would be beneficial, or whether changes in the delivery system were necessary.

The founder and president of I-Love-Stickers.com (ILS), a web-based sticker subscription service, was wondering how she could best continue to market the firm to increase subscriptions for all the sticker packs. Her final MBA exams, countless deadlines, the birth of her baby, and the June summer rush period for the business were all approaching rapidly. In addition to these concerns, she also planned to open a sushi restaurant in London later in the spring. She wanted to solidify her plan of action for ILS for the remainder of the year without delay.

Wayne Eisener has received two job offers. The first offer is an executive vice-president position at Richmond Hill Mortgages (RHM). The second offer is a junior lawyer position at Weiler and Simons LLP, Barristers and Solicitors. The mortgage company offers a small base salary but potentially large commissions in the long run. The law firm offers a higher base salary and the opportunity to be promoted to partner within five years. However, Eisener would need to update his knowledge of law substantially. As he reflects on the advantages and disadvantages of each job, Eisener must consider his past and how each job will help him accomplish the goals of providing for his family and creating a resurgence in his career.

Dr. Jack Perry, a sole practitioner dentist in a small town in Ontario, had a meeting with one of his employees who suggested that there were several problems in the office. These include: low morale, lack of motivation to grow the business, fill cancellations, follow up on collections, and engage in cross-sell procedures. He had noticed these problems previously but felt unsure about his personnel and business management skills. Using his notes from a presentation made by a business consultant at a dental conference, he must decide how to act in order to address these problems.

Dr. Nicholas Burns, a sole practitioner dentist in a small town in Ontario, is considering the purchase of a new dental laser which allows dentists to perform certain dental treatments without anesthesia. He wondered if the benefits of the new dental laser would justify the expenditure. Dr. Burns knew he should consider whether the technological advantage offered by the new dental laser would improve his office's profitability and the possibility that a different technology may become the standard in the industry.

The founder and president of I-Love-Stickers.com (ILS), a web-based sticker subscription service, was wondering how she could best continue to market the firm to increase subscriptions for all the sticker packs. Her final MBA exams, countless deadlines, the birth of her baby, and the June summer rush period for the business were all approaching rapidly. In addition to these concerns, she also planned to open a sushi restaurant in London later in the spring. She wanted to solidify her plan of action for ILS for the remainder of the year without delay.

Dr. Jack Perry, a sole practitioner dentist in a small town in Ontario, had a meeting with one of his employees who suggested that there were several problems in the office. These include: low morale, lack of motivation to grow the business, fill cancellations, follow up on collections, and engage in cross-sell procedures. He had noticed these problems previously but felt unsure about his personnel and business management skills. Using his notes from a presentation made by a business consultant at a dental conference, he must decide how to act in order to address these problems.

The owners of Black Fly Beverage Company consider the viability of expanding their product-line after less than a year in operation. Since its start-up earlier the same year, sales of the company's original cranberry-blueberry vodka cooler had climbed steadily. Impressed with their early success, the owners wonder whether they should take advantage of their new brand's momentum and invest in the production of a second product.

The owners of Black Fly Beverage Company consider the viability of expanding their product-line after less than a year in operation. Since its start-up earlier the same year, sales of the company's original cranberry-blueberry vodka cooler had climbed steadily. Impressed with their early success, the owners wonder whether they should take advantage of their new brand's momentum and invest in the production of a second product.