30 Dec Include a reference

DQ1

Pick a publicly traded company. Describe its competitive advantage using the resource-based model of above average returns.

DQ2

What are vision and mission statements? What is their value for the strategic management process? Select an example of strong Vision/Mission (cite your source). What are its positive characteristics?

Week 2 discussion

DQ1

Compare Google with Facebook. In terms of the five forces of competition, do you feel these companies view one another as competitors? Why or why not?

DQ2

Describe the elements of an organization’s external environment. Why is it important to understand the external environment?

Week 3 discussion

DQ1

Why is it important to conduct a SWOT analysis? What are the weaknesses of a SWOT analysis? Why is that so?

DQ2

Why is sustainable competitive advantage a critical strategy-making consideration?

Week 4 discussion

DQ1

How can you determine a core competency?

DQ2

What is the relationship between capabilities and core competencies?

Week 5 discussion

DQ1

What are the different levels of diversification firms can pursue by using different corporate level strategies and what are the advantages to diversifying their operations?

DQ2

What do you think are the criteria a firm should use to evaluate targets for acquisition and how should a company plan and undertake its merger acquisition strategic initiatives?

Week 6 discussion

DQ1

An international strategy can take many forms. Explain what a global strategy is and how is it different from a multi-domestic strategy. What are the traditional and emerging reasons/motives that firms expand internationally?

DQ2

What are some of the special features of competing in foreign markets?

Week 7 discussion

DQ1

Discuss the role of organizational controls and explain their importance.

DQ2

Why is it necessary to regularly evaluate business strategy?

Week 8 discussion

DQ1

What are the most effective leadership styles? Why are they effective? In your opinion, what are the least effective leadership styles? Explain.

DQ2

Why are innovation and entrepreneurial spirit important to market entry or market expansion? Give examples.

Week 1 assignment

CLC – Overview of the Capstone Project

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

Draft an overview of your project (approximately 500-750 words). Refer to chapter 1 in the textbook for additional information. Include the following in your draft:

1. Briefly describe the context and your organization.

2. Articulate the vision, mission, and strategy of your organization (or business unit or division).

3. Describe the nature of the business opportunity.

Week 2 assignment

CLC – Environmental Analysis and Industry Analysis

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

Using the Segments of the General Environment, write the environmental analysis for your organization (approximately 500-750 words). Refer to chapters 2 and 8 in the textbook for additional information. Include the following in your draft:

1. Incorporate theFive Forces of Competition to help write the industry analysis for your organization (page 51).

2. Describe your sources of competitive advantage.

3. Using the International Entry Modes (Figure 8.5), describe which mode(s) of entry you would use to expand globally and why you selected it (even if expansion is hypothetical at this time). Select one country, such as Canada, and discuss relevant cultural, political, and economic factors, and any language barriers that could impact your entry.

4. Identify the outlook, forecast, or trends for the type of organization you have selected. Use the Scan, Monitor, Forecast and Assess model in chapter 2 to complete this section.

Week 3 assignment

CLC – Marketing Plan

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

Write the Marketing Plan for your organization (approximately 750-1,000 words). Your plan should:

1. Describe the target market.

2. Identify the size of your potential target market.

3. Include a SWOT analysis (use a two by two table in Word).

4. Describe the 4Ps of marketing in your organization (product/positioning, pricing, promotion, and placement).If you have a service organization in addition you may consider describing the 4Is (intangibility, inconsistency, inseperabilty, and inventory).

Week 4 assignment

CLC – Organizational Plan and Operational Plan

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

Organizational Plan

Write theOrganizational Plan for your organization (approximately 750-1,000 words). Refer to chapters 4 and 6 in the textbook for additional information.

1. Describe who will comprise your management team and what talents or skills each of the team members will bring to the organization. Include a simple organizational chart.

2. Outline a McKinsey 7-S Assessment/Model (strategy, structure, systems, shared values, style, staff, skills) as it applies to your business. Review the McKinsey 7-S Resources in the topic materials for additional information on completing this section.

3. Describe your business-level strategy (chapter 4 – cost leadership or differentiated) and explain how it fits with the corporate-level strategy (chapter 6 – low, medium, or high differentiation plus value creating, value neutral, or value reducing) for your organization.

Operational Plan

Write the Operational Plan for your organization (500-750 words). Refer to chapter 3 and pages 88, 113, and 116 in the textbook for additional information. Address the following in the plan:

1. Describe the supply chain for your prospective organization. Where does your organization bring value in this supply chain?

2. Indentify your main partners and suppliers. What are their locations? What is your contingency plan?

3. Explain how you will optimize operational effectiveness in your organization.

4. Consider your operational plan from a value chain perspective and identify and discuss the primary and support activities (financial, human resources, and information systems management).

Week 5 assignment

CLC – Financial Plan

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

Write the Financial Plan for your organization (500-750 words). Create the accompanying spreadsheet(s) and address the following in your plan:

1. Using Excel,create a three-year Pro Forma income statement for your organization (or product/service). Review the resources in the topic materials for additional information.

2. Calculate your financial break-even point. BEP= Fixed Costs/ (unit price – variable unit costs)

3. Identify possible sources for investment capital if required (friends, family, banks, USSBA, etc.).

4. Explain how you will use financial information to help you craft your business strategy.

5. Identify the key financial ratiosyou will use to measure the performance of your organization to determine success.

Week 6 assignment

CLC – Milestones Schedule and Critical Risks Assessment

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

Create the Milestones Schedule and Critical Risks Assessment for your organization (500-750 words). Review chapter 9 in the textbook for additional information.

1. Describe the preferred timing and objectives for your business plan. Create a visual that includes critical decisions and dates in any of the following formats: Excel spreadsheet, Gantt chart, network diagram, or task list. Refer to the resources on charting and diagramming project progress in the topic materials for additional information on creating your Milestone Schedule.

2. Create contingency plans to address major problems or setbacks as they occur.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Week 7 assignment

CLC – Strategic Leadership and Entrepreneurship

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

Write the Strategic Leadership and Entrepreneurship section for your Capstone(500-750 words). Refer to chapter 12 in the textbook for additional information. Be sure to address the following questions:

1. What is the leader’s sphere of influence in your organization? Based on this, what impact can the leader have on the implementation of your business plan?

2. What potential leadership bias could impact the development or progress of your organization’s development?

3. What hurdles do you anticipate?

4. What leadership style(s) will a leader in your organization have to demonstrate? How could you incorporate Servant Leadership?

5. What are potential leadership strengths and weaknesses as they relate to your business?

6. How can the leadership in your organization impact and influence others and deliver the results you expect?

Week 7 assignment

Benchmark Assignment – Executive Summary

As your team has worked through the business plan, it is important for leaders to develop their vision for the future of their organization. Individually develop an Executive Summary (a minimum of 500 words) for your team’s strategic business plan. Describe each section of the plan in a few sentences so the reader better understands an overview of your business plan. Include suggestions for strategic management within your organization that considers both internal and external factors to support the growth of your organization. Prior to completing the Final Strategic Business Plan, share your vision with the members of your team and integrate appropriate strategic management decisions in your final business plan.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Week 8 assignment

CLC – Final Strategic Business Plan

This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.

Integrate the components developed in each Topic into a finalized strategic business plan. Incorporate any feedback from your instructor into the final document as well. The document should include appropriate headings for each section. Review the “Capstone Project Template” in the Course Materials for a formatting sample. You should cite and reference 7-10 secondary sources in your final draft. Your final document should be between 4,250-5,250 words. While it is important to be aware of your number count, it is also necessary to articulate your business plan to the appropriate audience with as much information as required to represent your business.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is/is not required.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Week 8 assignment

Benchmark Assignment – Capstone Presentation

Create a visually engaging, professionally designed PowerPoint presentation (10-15 slides) to deliver the findings of your Capstone project. Your presentation will be evaluated based on the following:

Organization

Content

Delivery

Professional appeal

Slide design

Effective communication skills

Include a reference slide with a minimum of six reputable sources (e.g., trade magazines, academic journals, professional/government websites) you consulted to locate information for your presentation (these may be resources utilized for your Capstone). Include speaking notes for each slide. Students may take the notes from your Capstone project. Students will be individually graded based on the provided rubric and are required to effectively communicate their group’s business plan in their PowerPoint presentation.

While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.