MBA7002 Strategic Management Assignment 1 (Port1)

Task/assessment brief:

1.  Portfolio (60%): 

Task: 

Assume, you are working for the same top consulting firm (as in PRES1) and have been asked by your Senior Partner, to analyse a potential client’s strategic performance over the last decade. You may use the company you have previously presented on (PRES1) or choose another case company if you prefer.

The report you provide is a pre-requisite before the Senior Partner puts in a proposal for a consulting assignment with this client. The organization under study should have multiple Strategic Business Units (SBU’s) across the globe (Global MNC). 

Choose one of their Strategic Business Units (SBU’s) that contributes significantly to its revenues and analyse how the company strategically positions itself, leveraged the opportunities, adds value and has thwarted the threats due to the dynamic changes in the external environment. You will therefore need to do an industry analysis to assess the industry attractiveness and profitability. You are required to comprehensively analyse and evaluate the business strategy it has chosen, including its choices to grow through its current business portfolio, its degree of corporate entrepreneurialism, approach to innovation, and effective leadership.

Our brief is to advise the ‘C’ suite whether the current strategy is robust moving forward and which businesses require further investment, those that need to be held and those to be divested with justifications. 

Advising on effective implementation of the Business Strategy is an important element of the assignment. Create a key performance indicator dashboard through a balanced scorecard and a view on delivery through the SAFE method for the above SBU which gives a comprehensive view of the business performance in addition to a financial view.  

Learning Outcomes

•    Outline and description of the chosen organisation including description of its activities, geography, size, products and markets.
•    Analysis of the competitive landscape including key competitors.
•    Evaluate using appropriate analysis tools, how the macro-environment has influenced the demand for the business and the key factors that influenced the same. (LO1)
•    Review and assess the business’ approach to sustainability and the environment (CSV and CSR) (LO2)
•    Using Porters Five forces you are required to justify whether the industry is profitable enough to attract new entrants that can potentially erode the future profitability. (LO1)
•    Analyse the business’ Resources and Capabilities to show the degree to which lasting competitive advantage exists (LO1; LO2)
•    Analyse and outline the business model using the Business Model canvas (BMC) to show where and how value is added (LO3)
•    Assess prospects through the application of innovation and entrepreneurialism (LO4)
•    Review any business changes and leadership issues and how this may have affected the performance of the company (LO5)
•    Recommendation of the Business Portfolio strategy using the key factors with justification. (GE – Mckinsey’s 9 Cell matrix). (LO3)
•    Create a Dashboard for measuring performance using a Balance Score Card & SAFE criteria (LO6)

A range of different Academic sources should be cited (e.g., textbooks or business reports/websites). All material, including charts, diagrams and statistics should be referenced using the Harvard System.