How to practice story-lining/story-telling?

LubricantsCo, a very successful Asian premium producer of lubricants in their native region, would like to further increase their revenue and profit. The product range ranges from lubricants in the automotive sector (e.g. motor and gear oil) to industrial applications (e.g. fats, heavy-duty oils).

According to preliminary examinations, further growth potentials in the Asian core market are rather limited. Thus LubricantsCo would like to investigate options to internationalize in the passenger car business – also outside the premium segment which is given priority.

Therefore your consulting firm was instructed to elaborate a market entry strategy for the European market.  

You have inherited the “Old Winery” from your grandfather, a winery which has been family owned for five generations and can be dated back to the 16th century.

Half of the eleven hectares are used to grow white grapes, the other half to grow red grapes. They are grown in the conventional way, i.e. they are not organically farmed and certified. The vine stocks are in a good condition regarding age and care. Overall, only ¼ of the harvest is made into wine by the winery itself; the rest is sold.

Your grandfather never wanted to change the image of the winery and left the managerial and administrative task to a young and energetic wine-maker. Due to the not so well-known brand , the demand for the “Old Winery” wine is currently rather low.

You do not intent to run the winery operatively, given your limited knowledge of wine making, but find the idea of owning a winery exciting. Your plan is to give the winery some fresh impetus.

• What arouses your interest when you are working / studying / doing another activity (from the CV)?
• Tell me of a time where you had no idea what you were doing.
• When did you use an uncommon approach to do something?
• Have you ever had responsibility for other people?
• Tell me of a situation where you were not the official leader.

• Tell me about a difficult situation you had to cope with.
• Tell me of a task which you didn’t like doing and explain why you performed it nevertheless.
• Why do you do things?
• What do you like doing most / What is your favorite hobby?
• Walk me through a situation where you showed leadership skills.