Summary - Teaching with Cases Seminar at Gordon Institute of Business Science

The case method places students in the role of decision-maker, confronting real-world business situations with the constraints and incomplete information found in real life. This Harvard Business Impact seminar is designed to help instructors learn practical skills to be successful in using cases and leading case discussions. Attendees will experience the seminar both as instructors and students. First, as an instructor, by learning techniques for orchestrating classroom discussion, board management, discussion plan preparation, and other key elements to consider when preparing to teach a case. Second, as a student, by preparing and discussing cases about both teaching and traditional business issues.

This seminar is facilitated by faculty affiliated with Harvard Business School who have many years of experience teaching in-person and online. The seminar will be held at Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and is intended for all instructors, regardless of their level of experience with case method teaching.

The seminar covers a broad range of topics, including:

Establishing and reshaping the learning contract with your students
Fostering norms to enhance class discussion
Questioning, listening, and responding
Designing discussion plans
Practicing the skill of case teaching
Student engagement with case material and class discussion
Explore how generative AI can enhance case-based classroom discussions

Seminar at a Glance:

March 2 - 3, 2027
2 days of instruction
$1,195 per instructor
Certificates of Completion will be awarded (requirements on registration form)

Registration Requirements: This seminar is offered only to teaching faculty at degree-granting institutions. Registrations will be cancelled for corporate trainers, government employees, and teachers in other non-degree-granting programs. We welcome up to 10 faculty from each participating university.

Registration Deadline: Registration is first come, first served and will close once capacity is reached, or at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, Monday, February 1, 2027, whichever occurs first.

*Please add hbspseminars@harvardbusiness.org to your safe sender list to ensure your registration confirmation and seminar logistics may be delivered.

If you have any questions, please email hbspseminars@hbsp.harvard.edu or call Customer Service at 800-545-7685 (outside the U.S. and Canada call +1-617-783-7600).

V.G. Narayanan is Thomas D. Casserly, Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Senior Associate Dean, Executive Education, and Senior Associate Dean, HBS Online at Harvard Business School. Professor Narayanan researches topics in management accounting, specifically performance evaluation and incentives. Currently, Professor Narayanan uses field experiments to understand how firms can use financial incentives and performance feedback to improve performance. He studies how financial incentives can be used as a catalyst to form desirable habits and to harness other motivators such as peer pressure. Professor Narayanan uses analytical modeling and field data to research this topic. Professor Narayanan is also very interested in understanding how CEO compensation affects the risk levels at banks. Professor Narayanan regularly facilitates Teaching with Cases seminars offered by Harvard Business Impact.

When traveling to Johannesburg, most international visitors arrive at O.R. Tambo Airport, located approximately 30 km east of the city. International visitors may choose to use the Gautrain which connects O.R. Tambo to the Sandton Gautrain Station and further to Rosebank Station. However, it is important to note that additional transportation will be required from these stations to your final destination.

Alternatively, for a smooth and hassle-free journey, we recommend pre-arranging transfers from the airport to Sandton/your destination or opting for a door-to-door service. There are many companies providing this service, some examples:

It is advisable to avoid using independent drivers and companies who may approach you in the arrivals hall. Many of these vendors are unregulated, their fares are not fixed, potentially leading to an unreliable and unpredictable experience.

Transportation from hotels to GIBS is also conveniently facilitated by popular e-hailing cab services such as Uber and Bolt. We recommend using Uber. GIBS has a dedicated Uber pick-up and drop-off spot.

There area number of major hotel chains in South Africa as well as a thriving Airbnb sector to suit all requirements and affordability.

The Illovo Hotel is based on the GIBS campus and offers comfortable but not luxurious accommodation.

The selection below is of hotels in adjacent and surrounding suburbs to GIBS. Delegates can make use of hotel shuttle services or e-hailing companies to get to the GIBS campus.

Southern Sun is a major hotel chain. The website lists a number of hotels including the following:

Other Hotel Options

Tentative Schedule