Case studies are widely used in business and the academic communities as a teaching tool. They are real life business examples of how a business idea or application worked. Perhaps more importantly case studies can point out failed plans and actions. In any case, the study of real world business experiences from idea conception to the end result are an important study for any business.
Case studies 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 steps taken by the decision makers may be outlined in detail or presented as a unified whole. In any event, the reader is able to follow what took place in the business over the time period under consideration.
The ending of the story could be a happy one where the idea reached fruition and provided benefit to the business. The study might discuss a new product, process, or the establishment of a new division within the company. The case study would demonstrate what went right for management and staff.
On the other hand, the case study could show clearly where the best laid plans of the company went very wrong. For the reader, and for the writer of the case study as well, putting the mistakes under careful scrutiny is a powerful teaching tool. Discovering what went wrong for the business in the study can prevent the same problems happening in another organization.
The case study is intended as a teaching tool that offers an object lesson in management. By showing real life examples of business successes and failures, dry as dust business and management concepts are brought to life. Living, breathing people working for real companies, as they work on their business, makes for very compelling reading. The lessons become much easier to learn and to remember for the future.
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. That said, many business and management problems are common for all companies. Finance, sales and marketing, personnel, public relations, production, and distribution are only a few examples of issues that arise in every organization.
Case studies also make great blog post topics.
In fact, a well written case study is very likely to be heavily linked by other bloggers. People will read your case studies eagerly, and they will want to share them with others. The resulting SEO power in the search engines and the extra new visitor traffic are a pleasant result. A highly ranked case study will attract interest and visitors from all of the major search engines. Blog posts rank well in the search engines and that blog SEO power will be provided to your case study sending new readers and potential clients and customers your way.
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. A well written case study could provide a major boost to your reputation in both the business community and in the blogging community. Becoming known as an expert in your industry is a powerful business builder.
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 the case study writer and the reader learn valuable business lessons in equal measure. The result is greater understanding of operating a successful business.
And a few extra case study blog posts are handy as well.
