You know them when you see them.
They are real life business examples of how a business idea or application worked.
Or failed.
They are often set up by outlining a problem facing the business, and then the potential solution to that obstacle is presented. After that, the process used to employ the potential solution is explained.
The ending of the story is either a happy one.
Or not.
The case study is intended as a teaching tool that offers an object lesson is management. By showing real life examples of business successes and failures, dry as dust business and management concepts are brought to life.
Parallels can be drawn between your own company and that of the business shown in the case study. The lessons can then be applied to your own business, along with the caveat that no two businesses are exactly alike.
Case studies make great blog post topics.
In fact, a well written case study is very likely to be heavily linked by other bloggers. The resulting SEO power in the search engines and the extra new visitor traffic are a pleasant result.
More importantly, however, a solid and honestly written case study provides real value to your readership. By offering realistic, open, and honest assessments of the challenges faced and the solutions offered, other business people can benefit from your experience.
As a matter of fact, case studies have much in common with blogs.
Both are at their best when transparency, openess, and honesty are part of the presentation.
By presenting the truth about the case study, warts and all, powerful lessons can be drawn.
Those lessons are not only valuable to the reader, but to the business person writing the case study. The post game analysis of the business success or failure is part of the business learning process.
By writing down objectively how a problem was solved, whether successfully or not, the writer can honestly assess the management's actions.
Out of that open and honest examination of the facts and figures, a better manager will emerge.
The readers will benefit from the solution employed, even if it was a dismal failure.
Bloggers should seriously consider writing case studies of their businesses as blog posts.
Everyone benefits.
Both writer and reader in equal measure.
