10 Jan The slides need to

Forum 1

DQ#1: What is Strategic Planning? (250+ by Sunday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 65 messages – 62 unread )

TOPIC: What is Strategic Planning?

Following the completion of this week’s reading/lessons assignments, complete each of the following:

Write a one-two sentence personal definition of strategic planning. Base your definition on what you have encountered in the reading/materials this week, as well as on what you have already learned about the topic.

Discuss this statement by Roger L. Martin: “. . . good strategy is not the product of hours of careful research and modeling that lead to an inevitable and almost perfect conclusion. Instead, it’s the result of a simple and quite rough-and-ready process of thinking through what it would take to achieve what you want and then assessing whether it’s realistic to try. If executives adopt this definition, then maybe, just maybe, they can keep strategy where it should be: outside the comfort zone.”

Finally, describe the differences between strategic planning and business planning.

Instructions:

What is the purpose of a forum?

Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn. In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criterion:

Forum 2

DQ#1: The Five-Task Strategy-Making, Strategy Executing Process (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 63 messages – 40 unread )

Introduction:

Figure 2.1 in your textbook depicts those tasks/processes that are associated with making and executing strategy. You could say that chapter two in our textbook provides the big-picture view of what strategic planning involves. This forum is straightforward: select any ONE of the five tasks that you want to investigate, and write a scholarly post about that task.

Instructions:

What is the purpose of a forum?

Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn. In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criterion:

Forum 3

DQ#1: Using the Five Forces Model of Competition (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 65 messages – 22 unread )

Introduction:

Figure 3.3 in your textbook shows the analytical tool that aids in understanding the various competitive forces that affect strategic planning. Although all organizational sectors potentially face similar kinds of competitive forces, each sector and/or organization may face unique factors that affect competitive pressure at any given time, depending on varying circumstances.

In this forum, you need to investigate any one element of Figure 3.3 from the perspective of organizations in the same sector. There may be some variance in the issues examined, and more than one organization may be involved, but you need to deal essentially with the same area of competitive pressure in the same sector of organizations. For instance, you may investigate “supplier bargaining power from foreign markets” or “dealing with emerging companies in the cell phone (or tech) industry.” You may utilize your textbook as needed to support your informed assertions.

[Suggestion: You may want to know more about the developer of the Five Forces Model—Michael Porter, who is a premier strategy professor at Harvard. Check him out on YouTube.]

Instructions:

What is the purpose of a forum?

Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn. In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criterion:

Forum 4

DQ#1: Examining Competitive Strategies (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 64 messages – 57 unread )

Introduction:

Our course textbook, chapter 5, discusses “The Five Generic Competitive Strategies”: Low-Cost Provider Strategy; Broad Differentiation Strategy; Focused Low-Cost Strategy; Focused Differentiation Strategy; and, Best-Cost Provider Strategy (see also Figure 5.1). In this forum, you need to investigate any one generic competitive strategy from the perspective of organizations in the same sector. More than one organization may be involved, but the information you use needs to deal essentially with the same area of generic competitive strategy in the same sector of organizations. Here is a great opportunity to investigate one or two of the businesses that your utilize in your personal life, but who represent one of the five competitive strategies. Suggestion: a SWOT analysis could be helpful, as based on the articles you select, depending on the depth of information available (SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). However, you may utilize your textbook as needed to support your informed assertions.

Instructions:

What is the purpose of a forum?

Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn. In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criterion:

Forum 5

DQ#1: Which Approach is Best for Competing Internationally (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 64 messages – 18 unread )

Introduction:

Textbook figure 7.2 depicts the three basic approaches for competing internationally. The textbook describes these three different approaches along with the accompanying concepts and individualized strategies that typify those approaches (see also Table 7.1). In this forum, you need to investigate any one of these international strategies—either using the same company in both articles, or selecting two different companies. Tell why the approach used is the best of the three approaches for the company (or companies) involved in international business. You may utilize your textbook as needed to support your informed assertions. (SUGGESTION: As you read about these three international strategies in the textbook, there is mention of companies that use these strategies. You can save yourself the headache of figuring out a company (or companies) to examine by selecting from companies that are already associated with a given strategy as specified in the text.)

Instructions:

What is the purpose of a forum?

Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn. In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criterion:

Forum 6

DQ#1: Companies with a Conscience? (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 67 messages – 28 unread )

Introduction:

The topic of Ethics continues to increase as an issue of central importance to strategic planning. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability are significant topics that are figured into any substantive discussion of Ethics in contemporary business practices and strategy. In this forum, you need to investigate the topic of conscious capitalism, conscious business, or businesses with a conscience. Tell why the issue of conscientious business is significant; and, tell where this current theme is headed in a global application, if possible. Tell why this topic should be discussed in the context of strategic planning. You may utilize your textbook as needed to support your informed assertions.

Instructions:

What is the purpose of a forum?

Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn. In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criterion:

Forum 7

DQ#1: Principal Components of Strategy (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 67 messages – 7 unread )

Introduction:

Figure 10.1 in our textbook (along with associated writing on the topic) describes the 10 principal components related to strategy execution, which comprise the focus of the final three chapters in the first half of our book. In this forum, you need to select two of the 10 components to discuss in your post (be clear which ones–#1?, #2?) What does your findings reveal about the importance of the components you selected? Why are they important as strategic elements? You may utilize your textbook as needed to support your informed assertions.

Instructions:

What is the purpose of a forum?

Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn. In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criterion:

Forum 8

DQ#1: What Did You Learn? (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 64 messages – 19 unread )

Reflect back on the last eight weeks. What were some new concepts/techniques/processes that you learned in this course, and/or that you can implement into the strategic planning of your organization (or even in your personal life)? How will the concepts learned be of value to you as a student and a professional?

Discuss your impressions of how the course has been useful to the furtherance of your understanding of strategic planning. What element of the course should be emphasized to a greater degree? What area(s), if any, do you suggest be added to the course in the future? (No citations/references needed.)

Instructions:

What is the purpose of a forum?

Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to (1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.

What are the responsibilities of the instructor?

The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment for students to learn. In addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence throughout the week.

What are the responsibilities of the student?

Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.

If you met the above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following criterion:

Week 2- Assignment- MVV-Mission, Vision, and Values

GOAL: Create an 800-1000 word paper that presents a compare and contrast of three companies’ mission/vision/values statements, utilizing the tools of strategic planning found in chapters one and two of our textbook.

Instructions: Write a 800-1000 word paper (body content length) based on researched artifacts from three companies in the same sector of private or non-profit industry (e.g., restaurants, services, products, hospitals, etc.) and their individual presentation of mission, vision, and values. After presenting each company’s brief history, mission, vision, and values, compare and contrast the various features and differences between the selected same-sector companies. Using relevant research via peer-reviewed journals from the online library, conclude your paper with a scholarly assessment about the strengths and weaknesses of the mission, vision, and values of the companies researched. Make sure to emphasize the compare/contrast element of this assignment as you look at the companies alongside each other—that is where the analytical assessment comes into play; that is the place to demonstrate your ability to think and write critically.

Suggestions to help your writing:

Use level headings (APA, pp. 62-63) to distinguish the various parts of your paper. No abstract is required, but a title page and references page are required.

Visit the following website to help you set up your APA paper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pbUoNa5tyY&feature=related

You may use any level of sources—scholarly, popular press, or websites—to provide foundational information used to inform you about each organization. However, make sure to properly cite and reference these sources according to chapter seven of APA.

Regardless what sources you use to gain information about the companies, you are still required to list and use three scholarly journal sources in the assertions you provide at the end of your paper. Be careful to differentiate between “trade” journals and genuine “peer-reviewed” sources so that your compare and contrast is based upon theoretical foundations instead of opinions or advertisements.

The paper should be written in third person and is not reflective (first person not acceptable).

Other Important Details:

Upload your paper (.doc) in the assignment section for grading. Follow the Submissions Guidelines as listed in the Syllabus: The various assignments for this course should be submitted as Word.doc attachments in the Assignment section of our virtual classroom.

Do not use macros or automatic referencing in your papers for this course. The auto features usually cause unforeseen problems in format. Plus, part of the evaluation of this paper involves your acquisition of the essentials of the APA style format.

Each file OF YOUR WORK should be named in the following manner: Last name–truncated Week Number-Assignment name (abbreviated if necessary):

For example: Smith-Wk02-MissionVisionValues

Week 4: Conceptual Learning Summary

GOAL: Create a concise expose of two strategic planning concepts that may be utilized in your own organization.

Instructions: Write a 500-600-word summary (body content length) that discusses research supporting two different strategic planning concepts. You may draw from any concepts mentioned in the course textbook through chapter six. Locate a minimum of two scholarly journal articles for each concept—a minimum of four articles for the paper altogether (these articles must be new to this assignment for this course). You want to select research that presents each concept and its usefulness in strategic planning within organizations. If you elect to write the paper, then keep your writing in third person if you discuss how these concepts work in your sector.

[Video Instructions: If you elect to record a video in lieu of the writing for this assignment, then observe the following conditions:

The video (YouTube) needs to be a minimum of 3-4 minutes in length

Provide a scholarly overview and discussion regarding the two concepts

Discuss how these concepts work in your organization, or how they should work.

Upload a References page that verifies your scholarly support, and that lists the YouTube link for your video.]

Suggestions to help your writing:

Use level headings (APA, pp. 62-63) to distinguish the various parts of your paper. No abstract is required, but a title page and references page are required.

Visit the following website to help you set up your APA paper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pbUoNa5tyY&feature=related

You may use any level of sources—scholarly, popular press, or websites—to provide foundational information used to inform you about each organization. However, make sure to properly cite and reference these sources according to chapter seven of APA.

Regardless what sources you use gain information about the companies, you are still required to list and use FOUR scholarly journal sources in the assertions and references in your paper.

The paper should be written in third person and is not reflective (first person not acceptable).

Other Important Details:

Upload your paper (.doc) in the assignment section for grading. Follow the Submissions Guidelines as listed in the Syllabus: The various assignments for this course should be submitted as Word.doc attachments in the Assignment section of our virtual classroom.

Do not use macros or automatic referencing in your papers for this course. The auto features usually cause unforeseen problems in format. Plus, part of the evaluation of this paper involves your acquisition of the essentials of the APA style format.

Each file OF YOUR WORK should be named in the following manner: Last name–truncated Week Number-Assignment name (abbreviated if necessary):

Week 5: Websites Review

Assignment Instructions

Goal: Locate and review three websites that inform you about Crafting Strategies for international markets, or multi-business companies, or diversified companies. You may elect to review websites of specific companies themselves, but it must be clear that there is a global element to the company. To verify: The point is to showcase three different websites that demonstrate any one (or more) of the “Three Approaches for Competing Internationally” (Figure 7.2). What company or companies you select is secondary.

Instructions: Using the course textbook as a chief resource, locate three websites in order to complete the goal stated above—international strategic planning. You may also benefit from conducting your own Internet search of international marketing strategies. Write a 600-750 word paper as a memorandum of discovery. No particular format will be observed for this paper, but organize your writing into three sections that review each of the three websites, and then write a fourth concluding section that summarizes what you gleaned from this investigation. The summary conclusion should put together the benefit of the whole experience. [Note: Keep in mind that this assignment is not aimed at reviewing articles in websites, but rather, the company websites themselves, and the international strategies that they describe.]

How To Review Websites For This Assignment:

Summarize the overriding purpose/thesis of each website. What is the essential message of the site? Provide a link (or address) for each website reviewed.

Describe what appears to be the crafted strategy based on what you are informed by the textbook (Global Strategy, Transnational Strategy, or Multidomestic Strategy). Be as clear on this point as possible, and make sure that you identify the global involvement mentioned in each website. (If no global strategy is mentioned, then you should avoid that website source.)

Discuss the material in the website in light of your understanding and outside research related to the material presented on the site. Do you agree or disagree with what the website presents?

What do you, the student, benefit from having viewed/examined this website?

After discussing each of the three websites, write a summary that combines what you learned from the experience. Present your own views. First person is accepted for this assignment.

Other Important Details:

Note the Submissions Guidelines as listed in the Syllabus: The various assignments for this course should be submitted as Word.doc attachments in the Assignment section of our virtual classroom.

Each file should be named in the following manner: Last name–truncated Week Number-Assignment name (abbreviated if necessary)

Week 6: Ethical News Story Video

GOAL: Create a four-six minute video news story presentation, accompanied by a 500-600 word written script/text of the video news story (with minimum three citations/references) that gives an analysis of a recent ethics scandal, corporate social responsibility scandal, or environment sustainability scandal. Be sure that your presentation makes a definitive statement connecting strategic planning to ethical, moral, social responsibility of organizations. In other words, this is not merely a report, but a scholarly exposé of the ethical effects of strategic planning. Note: This assignment has two parts.

Instructions: PART ONE—Write 500-600 word paper that is written as a news story, and give an analysis of a recent (last three years) management scandal involving ethics, corporate social responsibility, or environment sustainability. Connect the news story you present with the need for ethics and social responsibility in strategic planning. How could a more effective strategic plan affect the issue(s) included in the news story? See Chapter 9 in the course textbook to introduce the overall subject material, and to give you suggestions about where to locate appropriate news material (Hint: you must not write about TOMS Shoes, a topic in the forums). NOTE: This paper will not be examined for APA compliance, but will be checked for appropriate source verification. Therefore, show your sources clearly (using citations is the most effective way to link sources with references). The writing should contain a minimum of three scholarly citations/references beyond your textbook (use the APUS Online Library as resource). A title page and references page are required, but APA will not formally be graded. When you create a YouTube of your news story (see Part Two), include the link in the paper on the Title Page as the second line under the title.

Each file OF YOUR WORK should be named in the following manner: Last name–truncated Week Number-Assignment name (abbreviated if necessary)

For example: Smith-Wk03-Ethical News Story

QUESTION: Why do students need to submit a paper along with the video of the news story? ANSWER: So the professor can check for originality—to ensure that the information presented in the news story is original (or paraphrased) material from the student.

PART TWO—Create a video using the paper as a news story script. The video portion of the assignment may be created in YouTube so that only a link needs to be submitted here (recommended). Or, you may upload an MP4, QuickTime video, or equivalent (under 25MB; larger files not allowed for upload).

Submittal of Paper and Video:

Upload your paper (.doc) and video in the assignment section for grading as a Word.doc attachment. Place the link for the YouTube as the second line on the Title Page under the title of the paper.

Grading Rubric/Assessment: See Video Grading Rubric (Note that the quality of the written paper is assessed in the rubric under the “Preparation” section)

NOTE: If this is your first video, let this serve as a way to expand your skill capability in management practice. If you need help, you can always ask. If YouTube is too challenging to figure out, produce your video on an iPod or SmartPhone and send it in that way. This is your time to shine!

Week 8: Final Project

Week 8 Final Project – Strategic Assessment Project (PowerPoint presentation plus References page)

Goal: Develop and present via PowerPoint a strategic plan for your organization, integrating various concepts, components and processes presented throughout this course. Submit the presentation (ppt or pptx) along with a References page (.doc) that verifies sources used.

Introduction: Managers who want to improve the effectiveness of the future outcomes of their organization employ strategic planning. In a 20-25-slide PowerPoint presentation, present a strategic plan for your organization, accompanied by a References-only page as a Word.doc that contains the minimum 10 sources used in the development of the presentation. Your presentation may be a re-developed plan based on the plan your organization already uses. If you are in the military, you may elect to choose a company where you previously worked, or select a company that is not detailed in the text in this course, or in any of the materials used thus far in the course. In any case, you will need to begin by providing a brief history of the company, and then delve into the process detailed more fully below, and which draw from various elements contained in our textbook. Accompany your writing with a minimum five scholarly journal articles that support the assertions made in your strategic plan. You will also need to use at least five other sources—books, magazines, websites, and even interviews—to augment your data support for the presentation.

Your strategic plan should address [Suggested number of PPT slides in brackets]:

The Name of the Company/Firm [1 PPT slide]

Brief History of the Company (or Organization), its Mission and Vision [2-3 PPT slides]

Organizational Analysis [5-6 PPT slides] : This section will present your identification of the firm’s strengths and weaknesses, which emanate from your value chain and functional analyses. There is a maximum of five strengths and five weaknesses and your presentation of them should be prioritized. Exhibits are effective tools to provide strong support for each strength and weakness. Please be as specific as possible and quantify your analysis where appropriate. This section will provide the first part of the foundation for your identification of strategic issues and related recommendations through your analysis of the organization’s core competencies, competitive advantages and organizational weaknesses.

Environmental Analysis [5-6 PPT slides]: This section will present your identification of the major external threats and opportunities currently facing the organization. These will be generated from your analysis of the industry and general environmental factors in light of the organization’s strengths and weaknesses. A maximum of five threats and five opportunities should be identified and should be presented in a prioritized order. Use power point exhibits to support your analysis, be specific and quantify your analysis where possible. This section will provide the second part of the foundation for your identification of a strategic issue and the formulation of related recommendations through your analysis of driving forces, key success factors and industry attractiveness.

Strategic Issues And Recommendations [6-7 PPT slides]: Identify (with support) the most important strategic issue facing your organization. It is extremely important that you clearly integrate the strategic issue with your analysis to the organization’s SWOT. There may be interrelationships between particular weaknesses and threats or missed opportunities, which should be recognized. It may be possible that 2 different weaknesses, 1 threat and 1 opportunity could be combined, due to their relatedness, to form one strategic issue. Similarly, your recommendations should attempt to capitalize and build upon strengths, competitive advantages and opportunities that you identified. The point is to clearly ground your issue and recommendations with the internal and external analyses so that the presentation is clear.

Conclusion/Summary [1-2 PPT slides]

PowerPoint Suggestions:

The slides need to be detailed, ready for presentation, and professional in appearance. View the example in the attachment provided (below). Note how the citations are placed directly on the slides. Be sure to provide a separate references page that links to the citations on the PowerPoint. An example of how a references page should look is not provided, since you already should be able to construct that document as you would any other references page in APA.

The scholarship required for this project must be cited on the slides, i.e., 10 overall sources minimum, as specified in the Introduction above.

The PowerPoint rubric will be used instead of the Writing Rubric for all PPTs.

Upload your PPT and references (.doc) in the Assignment section, just as you would any other assignment.

NOTE about the use of pictures—the website upload limit per PPT is 25MB.

Always present in “third person”

Do not forget to upload your separate references-only page to support the citations that appear on the PowerPoint.