Create a strategic plan. You will need to analyze the company’s current situation and its strengths and weaknesses. You will need to formulate, plan to implement and evaluate the competitive, functional and corporate strategy needed in order to help the firm move forward to a desired future situation.
This must be a formal written report 12-14 pages (3000 – 4000 words) not including cover, TOC, Appendices or References (appendices can be added at the end). This must follow the format found in the marking rubric on page 11.
Tip: Bullets, charts, tables and graphs are useful when providing details and information. This is a business report – not an essay! Your goal is to write clearly and concisely. Support your analysis statements with FACTS, not inference or feelings. Be specific; do not just say something the company does is “very well done.” A thorough guide that may assist: http://college.cengage.com/business/resources/casestudies/students/analyzing.htm
Cover Page (include all student names and student IDs)
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
A one-page summary that includes the purpose of the report, the overview of the current company position, the company’s current challenges, the research involved with the project, your key findings, and alternate options AND your recommendation. (This is the last item to complete in the report after you have all analysis and the recommendations made.)
2. Introduction
A one-page explanation of the company’s past five-to-eight years and how the company has changed over this period of time. The company’s position in the market should also be included. Finally, the report’s purpose, what was considered during the research stage and sources considered should also be covered.
3. Analysis
3.1. External Environment Analysis
..1 PESTLE (same as PESTEL) Analysis
Consider the Macro Environment that the company operates in. What factors influence the industry? Analyze the external environment, and carry forward any findings to your SWOT analysis (Opportunities & Threats).
..1 Industry Environment - Porters Five Forces
- Industry Rivalry – How competitive and profitable is the industry?
- The Bargaining power of customers/buyers – How much power do buyers have to demand lower prices or higher quality from the industry?
· Internal Analysis
3.2.1 Company vision, mission, goal/objectives
Analyze the company’s vision, mission, goals and objectives. Remember to carry forward the information into your SWOT analysis.
Note: Mission: A mission statement is a short description of the purpose of the company/organization
Vision: How do we accomplish the mission? Presentation or prioritized, measurable goals with deadlines.
Does the company’s mission/vision: clearly define your customers, identify the markets the firm operates in, seem concerned with survival, growth and profitability, outline its economic objectives and its beliefs, ambitions and value, as well as its competitive strengths? Does the statement(s) include a concern for public image, social community and/or the environment? Does the firm publically state how important their employees are to their success?
