Just day before yesterday got introduced to the Case Study Method of Learning. The case discussed was about the Dabbawallahs of Mumbai. A BBC Documentary on various aspects about the life of Dabbawallahs as also the way they conduct their business was discussed.

The Objective of learning i believe is aggregation of data, processing it, identifying problems, approaching those problems based on processed data, coming up with valid, uptodate, implementable solutions.

I believe the case study method of learning does that in a very comprehensive manner.

On a different line alogether, i am expecting that the Ranbaxy sell off will very soon be studied as a case at most of the IIM’s, since it is a landmark deal in the sense, a family owned business which separated ownership and management and did what was best for the company. CAPITAL INFUSION. On the other hand a cyncial approach to the deal also makes one feel that the promoters cashed out sensing tougher times ahead, especially 2011. Well what happens is for all of us to see, but what has happened is what we must try and learn from.

Q: What entices an individual to sell off his family owned company?

Is it greed, business, for the company’s good or else are there other reasons which when taken together make a sell off proposition too good to say no to.

I read this article by “P.T. Jyothi Datta” (Sify Business, Friday, 27 June , 2008, 08:54) which tries to look at this very issue. Is sell-out the cure?