While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Marcus Rodriguez founded TechFlow Solutions in 2018 as a small...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Marcus Rodriguez founded TechFlow Solutions in 2018 as a small software consulting firm.
- The company initially struggled to gain clients and operated with just three employees.
- In 2020, Rodriguez developed an AI-powered logistics platform that revolutionized supply chain management.
- The platform attracted major corporate clients including Amazon and FedEx.
- By 2023, TechFlow Solutions had grown to over 200 employees and achieved $50 million in annual revenue.
- Rodriguez has been featured in Forbes magazine and speaks at industry conferences.
The student wants to place Rodriguez's AI development within the context of his company's growth. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Marcus Rodriguez founded TechFlow Solutions in 2018 and has been featured in Forbes magazine for his entrepreneurial success.
After founding TechFlow Solutions as a struggling three-person consulting firm, Marcus Rodriguez developed an AI platform that propelled the company to 200 employees and $50 million in revenue.
The AI-powered logistics platform developed by Marcus Rodriguez attracted major corporate clients including Amazon and FedEx.
Marcus Rodriguez, who speaks at industry conferences, founded TechFlow Solutions and developed an AI-powered logistics platform.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Marcus Rodriguez founded TechFlow Solutions in 2018 as a small software consulting firm.' |
|
| 'The company initially struggled to gain clients and operated with just three employees.' |
|
| 'In 2020, Rodriguez developed an AI-powered logistics platform that revolutionized supply chain management.' |
|
| 'The platform attracted major corporate clients including Amazon and FedEx.' |
|
| 'By 2023, TechFlow Solutions had grown to over 200 employees and achieved $50 million in annual revenue.' |
|
| 'Rodriguez has been featured in Forbes magazine and speaks at industry conferences.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Marcus Rodriguez transformed TechFlow Solutions from a struggling three-person startup into a highly successful $50 million company through the development of an AI-powered logistics platform.
Argument Flow: The notes trace a classic startup success story, beginning with TechFlow's modest and challenging origins, then presenting the breakthrough AI innovation that became the catalyst for attracting major clients and achieving remarkable growth, culminating in industry recognition for Rodriguez.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The student's goal is specifically to 'place Rodriguez's AI development within the context of his company's growth.'
What type of answer do we need? This means we need an answer that contextualizes the AI development by showing how it fits into the company's overall growth story.
Any limiting keywords? None specified.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct choice needs to show the relationship between the AI development and company growth by including:
- the company's initial state (struggling/small)
- the AI development as the key turning point
- the resulting growth outcomes (employee count, revenue)
- This creates a clear before-AI vs. after-AI comparison that places the AI development squarely within the growth context
Marcus Rodriguez founded TechFlow Solutions in 2018 and has been featured in Forbes magazine for his entrepreneurial success.
- Mentions founding and Forbes recognition but completely omits the AI development
- Fails to address the core requirement of placing AI development within growth context
After founding TechFlow Solutions as a struggling three-person consulting firm, Marcus Rodriguez developed an AI platform that propelled the company to 200 employees and $50 million in revenue.
- Creates perfect before-and-after framework showing struggling three-person consulting firm
- Then AI platform development
- Then 200 employees and $50 million in revenue
- Places the AI development as the explicit turning point between struggle and success
The AI-powered logistics platform developed by Marcus Rodriguez attracted major corporate clients including Amazon and FedEx.
- Focuses on the AI platform's client attraction but provides no growth context
- Missing the before/after comparison that would show company transformation
Marcus Rodriguez, who speaks at industry conferences, founded TechFlow Solutions and developed an AI-powered logistics platform.
- Lists founding, conference speaking, and AI development as disconnected facts
- Provides no progression or context showing how AI development relates to growth