How Do I Start Writing A Case? « The Hot Mommas® Project

How Do I Start Writing A Case?

11Jun09

The Hot Mommas Project is an award-winning leadership project raising self-efficacy of women and girls through exposure to role models. We produce case studies showing the full range of factors influencing a woman’s success. We are housed at the George Washington University School of Business and are the recipient of a 2006 Coleman Foundation National Case Award. Learn more at http://www.hotmommasproject.org/about.aspx

Here is what to do if you are interested in becoming part of the project and impacting women’s education: NOMINATE a role model (yourself included) by emailing the Hot Mommas Project.

Winners of the case study competition will have the chance to be published in a major Prentice Hall textbook, PINK Magazine, be featured on ComedyCures LaughTalk radio show, and win thousands of dollars in prizes. See judging criteria and prizes/winners at www.HotMommasProject.org

The below is from our beta FAQs page.
Q: Where do I start in writing a Hot Mommas Project case?

A: Sign in, go to the case competition page, and browse the links on the right for tutorials and sample cases.

I am not one of the judges. However, if it were me I would approach it as follows:

1. Browse the steps of the case wizard after signing in and going to the case competition page.

2. See case writer resources in the column. Print the official tutorial, review the sample case. There is an audio tutorial and a video tutorial, which is more like a “chat to get started” vs. a tutorial. Official written is most clear.

3. Brainstorm a time in my life where I had a huge professional challenge, and then do the same for a huge personal challenge. Think of a specific story to embody those points in time (E.g. Vanessa walked into her office and saw a sea of paper and staff waiting for her….). Background: Then, think back to an “aha” moment where you came into your own. Go back as far as you can, then move forward showing how the reverb of that aha moment kept surfacing.

4. Write discussion questions to drive readers to really ponder and learn in the areas of your professional and personal challenge (e.g., Vanessa mentions her primary professional challenge is marketing her business. Review the appendix for her thoughts on marketing. Then perform a Google search on “guerilla marketing” and make 3 suggestions for Vanessa).

5. Click “Publish” – You can change your case through January 31 12:00 MIDNIGHT EASTERN TIME (contest conclusion).

Overall Hint: As a wrap up, press rewind back to the time you were a student. If you were a case in a chapter of a textbook – what chapter would that be? Then…

a. Include stories, thoughts, and a couple lessons in the text of the case to support a discussion of that “chapter” among readers. Include some links in your appendix to drive home that focus.

b. If you are tempted to make your case 100% about “here’s what I’ve figured out,” press the pause button. Hold back, and let the readers figure out some of it. You can include your “here’s how I did it” in the teaching notes section (a guide to instructors).

Hope this helps! We have phone and email coaching, so, feel free to get online, throw something up there, have fun with it, and then send out a lifeline for help or feedback.

To learn more (see these links and read below):

Here is a sample case: http://hotmommasproject.org/caseview.aspx?id=65

Here is a press link: http://www.1888pressrelease.com/-hot-mommas-project-announces-judging-panel-for-case-study-pr-90609.html

Here is more on our mission and research underpinnings

http://www.hotmommasproject.org/about.aspx

Find case writer links on the column of this page:http://www.hotmommasproject.org/competition.aspx

Questions?
See our FAQs (http://hotmommasprojectfaq.wordpress.com) or email us

Start today at www.HotMommasProject.org. Dynamic women need as much lead time as possible! You can change your case through 12:00 midnight (Eastern time), Saturday, January 1/31.(After that – feel free to write your case – but, it will be entered in our 2010-2011 contest)

See Virtual Coaching post for more like the above (case direction).

2 Responses to “How Do I Start Writing A Case?”

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1 Eliana Frazier on October 31, 2009 said:

My name is Eliana Frazier and I am a Brazilian living in US for the past 20 years. I have been a big fun of you and your blog. I would like to share a little bit with your about strength, love and determination, my own story. I move to US in 1986. Life was very hard and challenge. I didn’t speak any English and have to learn on the going. I have a son that at the time was 3 years old. We both face with a lot of adversity, new country, new language and above all no job. But instead of dying and feel sorry for us I learn to speak English, race my son and live my life the best I could. I have a master degree in Journalism and couldn’t use here for not been able to speak English well. I have to do something with my life and earn money to help us, so I decided to clean houses for the flexibility that gives me to be with my son after he comes home from school. We didn’t have any money and we shop and bought our clothes at Goodwill, Salvation Arm. I continue with my house cleaning, help my family in Brazil and race a wonderful son. My son wants to be a pilot…he got a loan and today he is earned his commercial pilot license, have a college degree in International Studies. After his graduation I decided to go back to School and take computer programming. One year and half after finishing with my classes I started a project of developing a software. Two years later I have developed one of the best software for creating photo books, calendars and greeting cards every available. In October 1st 2009, I launch my website that has been recognized by many photographers as the best one. http://www.sparklesphotoideas.com. Today I am waiting to start having users into my site. My story is just about how can a person come from another county, face so many obstacles on her life and still make, race a wonderful son, shop on Goodwill stores, dollar stores and live a life in a higher standard. No one knows how poor we were because the way we conduct ourselves.
I get very sad when I look around me and see so many American people with everything to make a wonderful life for themselves and they can’t make…just because they don’t have the determination .
I will love to participate in your wonderful contribution to the society on helping others to know you can do anything you want too. What you need is just a positive attitude, a sunshine in our dreams and you can do it even if is rain every day.
2 Eliana Frazier on October 31, 2009 said:

Hello, thank you for the great opportunity to write a little bit about myself. I hope I can contribute a little bit and give strength, hope and sunshine into someone’s lives.
As you can tell my English still not good but I have come a long way!
Love,
Eliana Frazier
at
http://www.sparkesphotoideas.com