Strategic Assessment Brief
Requirements
• Either; chose a company or organization you are working for or have worked for OR choose a case that we are not scheduled to discuss from the text, or another one chosen by yourself (For ideas see alternative texts in the Library such as: Wheelan, Thomas W and J David Hunger, Strategic Management and Business Policy (Pearson 13th ed, 2012))
• Topic must be chosen and advised to me by
• If a Case from a text it must be e must be brought “up to date”.
Aim
• Evaluate the company, its current strategy and recommend strategic options for your client (if more than one option note my comments below on time limit for the oral presentation)
Process
• Utilisation of models we have covered in the Unit to examine:
1. Industry as a whole
2. Client
3. Potentially the client’s peers in the market.
Models suggested to use
• SWOT or ESC Analysis
• TOWS Matrix see
www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_89.htm
• Porters Five Forces
• BCG Growth Matrix
Issues to Address
• Your client’s position in the market
• Financial Analysis (if possible)
• The relative strengths and weaknesses
• The pros and cons of your suggested strategic alternative(s) – what would be the impact of your recommendation?
• Implementation and Monitoring Strategies
SWOT/ESC Analysis: Due Week 7 (See Marking Guide Below)
• Undertake a SWOT or ESC Analysis. Your analysis should consist of 1-2 pages of general introduction and then 2-3 pages of diagrams/summarized assessments. You need to provide me enough information to assess your progress.
The Presentation: Week 13
• You will assume the role of a consultant and will present to the board/senior management of your chosen client.
• Presentations will be 5-7 minutes in length, the board/management will cut you short if necessary. The time limit means you must concentrate on the key strategic issues while still demonstrating the soundness of your analysis. Do not get caught up with endless Powerpoints!
• There may be questions from the “Board”
• Presentations will be held in Week 13. You will be advised of your schedule beforehand. If you have problems with the timing of your presentation, please arrange a swap with another student.
The Written Report: Friday 6 June
• The written report will contain more detail than the oral presentation presented to the Board/Management.
• Given that there is no major assignment it is expected that the written report will be of a high quality as to both the content and level of presentation. You will have been expected to incorporate any comments made by your lecturer or fellow students on your presentation.