Unit 7 Business Strategy Assignment Brief

Introduction - Case study

Choose a Fortune 500 organisation operating in the UK which you will use as a basis for all your answers for this assignment. It may be a company which you work for or one you would like to work for or an organisation you are familiar with. Name your chosen organisation. Briefly describe the organisation.

LO 1 Process of strategy planning

Q 1.1 Define the terms and state the mission, vision, objectives, goals and core competencies of your chosen organisation.

Define each of the terms , mission, vision, objectives, goals and core competences;
Provide evidence of your chosen corporation’s mission, vision, objectives, goals and core competencies.

Q.1.2 For your chosen organisation, describe the key issues encountered in strategic planning.

Define strategic planning
Describe at least three strategic planning problems
Provide examples of problems within internal analysis, external analysis orbusiness level strategy.

Q.1.3 Compare and contrast two different planning techniques which you could apply to your chosen organisation.

Define and describe two different planning techniques, for example, the BCG matrix, SPACE, PIMS or stakeholder mapping.

Q 2.1 Conduct an organisational audit on your chosen organisation by carrying out a SWOT analysis.

Identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for your chosen organization

Q 2.2 Evaluate the business environment for your chosen organisation by doing a PESTEL analysis

Describe the factors of PESTEL – Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal
Provide an example of each for your chosen organization

Q 2.3 Define and explain the significance of stakeholder analysis.

Define the term stakeholder
Explain stakeholder analysis
Describe the importance of stakeholder analysis

Q 3.1 Define four strategic options available and explain how they may be implemented within your chosen organisation.

Discuss a market entry strategy, for example, organic growth, growth by merger, acquisition or strategic alliances.
Discuss substantive growth strategies which can include related and unrelated diversification.
Discuss limited growth strategies which can include strategies such as market penetration and market development.
Discuss retrenchment which can include turnaround strategies, divestment, and liquidation.

Q3.2 Using your analysis from Q3, recommend an appropriate future strategy for your chosen organization

Present your answer as a report
Include an introduction, background, advantages and disadvantages of various options with evidence from your chosen organisation and final recommendations.
For example, if you suggest organic growth, you will need to justify your answer.

Q 4.1 Focusing on your recommendation in Q3.2, compare the roles and responsibilities needed to implement the suggested future strategic plan

discussion about the activities needed to implement the plan
A discussion about the roles and responsibilities you require to implement the plan
Compare the different roles and the responsibilities needed to implement the plan.

Q 4.2 Identify and evaluate resource requirements you will need to implement a new strategy within your chosen organisation.

Evaluate and identify human resources needed to implement the strategic plan
Evaluate and identify financial resources needed to implement the strategic plan
Evaluate and identify time and materials needed to implement the strategic plan.

Q4.3 From your responses in Q4.1 & Q4.2, create a Gantt Chart that shows the activities required and timescales for the implementation of your recommended strategy. Discuss the activities and targets to monitor your strategy

Propose targets and timescales which you would use to monitor the implementation plan
Formulate a Project plan and present it in a Gantt Chart using a project planning software