Kids Case Discussions

Reunion Dates Thursday, May 28–Sunday, May 31, 2009

A Program for HBS Alumni Kids, Ages 10 and up
Saturday, May 30
10:00 - 11:15 am
Availability is limited; sign up early!

Older children are invited to experience what HBS was like for their parents during two fun and interesting case discussions led by HBS faculty. Children 10 and up may attend the Google case discussion with Professor Tom Eisenmann. Teens 13 and older may attend the Facebook case discussion with Assistant Professor Misiek Piskorski.

Those registered for this program will receive an advance copy of the case, along with assignment questions. The cases have not been simplified in any way, so young readers may struggle with vocabulary and concepts. Feel free to help your children prepare, but all business concepts will be explained during the class discussion.

Parents are free to attend other morning sessions while their children participate in the case discussions, but are also welcome to observe from another room where the session will be simulcast!

Register Online

• Google Case Summary

  Saturday, May 30, 2009
  10 - 11:15 am
  Check-in begins at 9:45 am

  Age range: For kids 10 and up

  Preparation: Kids should read the case beforehand and spend some time reflecting on assignment questions we will provide: parents, you know the drill! Early admission to HBS will be granted to anyone who runs the numbers and "cracks the case" (just kidding!). The case has not been simplified in any way, so young readers may struggle with vocabulary and concepts. Mom or Dad may want to help them understand the case. But don't force preparation if it proves too hard: we'll explain the business during the class discussion.

  Supervision: Kids will be supervised throughout the session (and escorted by reunion staffers if they need to leave the room), so parents are free to attend other morning sessions. Parents are very welcome to observe the discussion from another room (TBD), where the session will be simulcast! You should arrange to meet your children in the Google classroom at 11:15 am.

  Case Overview: The "Google Inc." case describes the company's history through 2005 and its business model, corporate culture, and processes for managing innovation. The class discussion will focus on three questions:
  

  1. What explains Google's early success?
  2. How does Google make money?
  3. Will Google become a monopoly in the search business?
• Facebook Case Summary

  Saturday, May 30, 2009
  10 - 11:15 am
  Check-in begins at 9:45 am

  Age range: For teens ages 13 and up

  Preparation: Teens should read the case beforehand and spend some time reflecting on the study questions provided: parents, you know the drill! Professor Piskorski will do some gentle cold calling to show how tough mom or dad must have been in the old days. Early admission to HBS will be granted to anyone who runs the numbers and "cracks the case" (just kidding!). The case hasn't been simplified in any way, so some readers may struggle with some vocabulary and concepts, and parents may want to help their teenager with understanding the case.

  Supervision: Teens will be supervised throughout the session (and escorted by reunion staffers if they need to leave the room), so parents are free to attend other morning sessions. Parents are very welcome to observe the discussion from another room (TBD), where the session will be simulcast! You should arrange to meet your children in the Facebook classroom at 11:15 am.

  Case Overview: This case describes the Facebook Platform and the challenges it has faced in the world on online social networking.

  The case asks:
  

  1. People already interact with each other with their friends in the real-world. Why do people need to go on Facebook to interact with each other on-line?
  2. Facebook was not the first on-line social network, Friendster, Orkut and MySpace preceded it. What factors allowed Facebook to be so successful?
  3. How does Facebook make money? Do you think it is making enough money, or should it earn more?
  4. What is Facebook Connect? How is it going to change the way we interact on the Internet? Can Facebook make money off Facebook Connect?

• Questions

  Please contact:

  Lauren Gilbert
  HBS Alumni Relations
  Phone: 617.495.6893
  E-mail: reunion_childcare@hbs.edu