What is a "Case Study" worth to you?

"Case Studies" or its sister term "Models of Success"

I guess it depends on the person reading it.

For a Fortune 500 company, a case study or model of success could mean extra millions or billions of dollars, as a small example, look at everyone in the franchise fast food doing the "$5.00" meal deal.

To me, in general, they are not worth much, depending on how it is presented.

For instance, a case study of any and all successful business in history could be done, so what?

Maybe there are two levels of thought here, some people ONLY need a "hint" of an idea to take off and others need it substantiated.

To me, a case study or model of success is like a scientist who comes up with a theory.

May look good, sounds good, but can you PROVE it in the real world starting from where the case study started , with a fresh subject(person or business)?

Naturally , the parameters of any of these has to be that it is , and implies to be, duplicatable , that the opportunity is abound and/or plentiful, not yet dried up.

What level of investment is necessary?

What level of business experience?

What level of resources?

For me, WHO the target of this report points to, is the question and to what level can be achieved ?

A case study of how Microsoft became Microsoft , or the philosophy of Warren Buffet and why and how he is successful, the model which they follow, is useless and theoretical in nature..., just biographical "type" stories of "inspiration", unless:

You point out WHO it is for. If you conclude in the study that anyone can use it, as an example, you would have to prove it.

A case study within a case study.

A primary case study is proven with secondary case studies proving the primary ..,".. nearly everyone can do it..,"

You would have a case study on 3 levels:

1) With an established business, who does at least double figure a year business in the millions, following to the letter , your case study and showing the improvement in profits you project, OVER what they normally average, a substantial number that is directly linked to following the map of the case study.

2) An extremely small business owner, someone who works out of their home, who follows the case study recipe as described and shows results that parallel the case study returns in percentages of improvement or acceptable parameters of profit attributed solely on following the case study example.

3) A person with no business skills or extraordinary skills, following the case study to the letter and also paralleling the rate of success cited in the case study.


Thats my opinion of a case study that has real world doability.

Without proving the case study with a fresh test, it is just a theory or break down of economic history of the successful company in the study.


The 13th Warrior