Welcome Capstone Students!

• Sit with your team please!

• Log in using info on sticker to right of each PC monitor

• Reserved tables

MNGT 481:Project Session 1

Prof. Lori KiyatkinMs. Shana Gass, MSLShttp://pages.towson.edu/sgass/pages

November 24, 2009

Better Searching• Choose appropriate source• Background• A stingy search – each word reduces results• Boolean searching (AND, OR, NOT)• Coping “tricks”• Watch the dates• “Look for your answer, not your question”• Sometimes the answer is not to search but to

read… (example: value chain)

Searching for Strategy (or other concepts)?

• General Motors and strateg*• Read: company reports• Read C-level interviews• Read testimony• Watch for patterns (and patents?)

A SWOT

1. Access Business Source Complete database.

2. Search for your company

3. On left side of screen, look for link to SWOT Analysis (if available). Click.

4. Click on PDF file

Company Info / Strengths & Weaknesses

• GM Web site• Hoover’s In-depth report• Government Testimony & Other info• News and analysis• Remember company name issue –

General Motors Co., General Motors Corp., Motors Liquidation Co.

Opportunities & Threats

• Competitor info• Industry info • Marketing info

– http://pages.towson.edu/sgass/guides/mktg_secondary_data_sources.pdf

• Recession– http://pages.towson.edu/sgass/courses/

downturn_recovery.pdf• News & analysis!

Questions?

…feel free to contact me!

Shana Gass (410) 704-2395 sgass@towson.edu *preferred

Or any reference librarian:

Visit Cook Library Reference Desk (410) 704-2462 IM = tucookchat

Email (see Library web site)