574_assignment 1 Brief (new Jan 2019) (2).docx

Assignment Brief 1 (RQF) Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Business Student Name/ID Number: Unit Number and Title:

Unit 32: Business Strategy (574)

Academic Year:

2019

Unit Assessor: Assignment Title:

ASSIGNMENT 1 – External audit

Issue Date: Submission Date: Internal Verifier Name: Date:

Submission Format:

Format: 

This assignment is an Individual report.

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You must use font Calibri size 12, set number of the pages and use multiple line spacing at 1.5. Margins must be: left: 1.25 cm; right: 1 cm; top: 1 cm and bottom: 1 cm.

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You should use in text references and a list of all cited sources at the end of the essay by applying Harvard referencing style.

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The recommended word limit is 1000-1500 words (+/-10%), excluding the tables, graphs, diagrams, appendixes and references. You will not be penalized for exceeding the total word limit.

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The cover page of the report has to be the Assignment front sheet 1 (to be attached with this assignment brief).

Submission 

Students are compulsory to submit the assignment in due date (slot 15) and in a way requested by the Tutor.

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The form of submission will be a soft copy posted on http://cms.greenwich.edu.vn/.

Prepared by: Higher Education Qualifications (HEQ) Version 1.0 – November 2017 DCL 1 – Public (Unclassified)

Approved by: HEQ, QDAM (HE)

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Remember to convert the word file into PDF file before the submission on CMS.

Note: 

The individual Assignment must be your own work, and not copied by or from another student.

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If you use ideas, quotes or data (such as diagrams) from books, journals or other sources, you must reference your sources, using the Harvard style.

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Make sure that you understand and follow the guidelines to avoid plagiarism. Failure to comply this requirement will result in a failed assignment.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

LO1. Analyze the impact and influence which the macro environment has on an organization and its business strategies LO3. Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using Porter’s Five Forces model to a given market sector Assignment Brief and Guidance:

*This assignment guidance is for reference only and can be customized by the tutor to meet specific needs Assignment scenario. Assume that you are the head of Strategy Development of a XYZ company. You have been required by the managing director of your company to carry out a comprehensive organizational audit including assessing both internal and external environments. Based on these analyses, you have to make some recommendations on which strategy the company should pursue in the future. Your responsibility is to find relevant data and information from trustworthy sources, process them rationally and present the findings and strategic suggestion as a formal strategic report, which consists of three main parts:   

Part 1: External analysis Part 2: Internal analysis Part 3: Strategic planning and evaluation

 Assignment 1 is the part 1 of the required strategic report. Note: You are free to choose the company (regardless the nationality) at which you are assumed to be working for (so called the chosen company). Structure of the Report: General introduction: the chosen company, main purposes and structure of the work. Prepared by: Higher Education Qualifications (HEQ) Version 1.0 – November 2017 DCL 1 – Public (Unclassified)

Approved by: HEQ, QDAM (HE)

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Main contents of the report: 1. Identify the strategic context of the company: Identify the mission, vision and objectives of the chosen company. Explain the role of business strategy to obtain business objectives and goals in general and by giving example(s). 2. Carry out the macro environmental audit for the chosen company by using PEST/PESTLE framework. You should provide evidences from credible sources to analyze each factor of PEST/PESTLE for the chosen company. In order to enhance your work, you should make final comments on the importance of macro environmental analysis for the strategic development of your chosen company. 3. Carry out the industry/sector audit for the chosen organization by using relevant analytical tools/models (e.g. the industry life cycle analysis, Porter’s 5 force model). To improve your discussion, you should identify and discuss the critical success factors for a company in the chosen market sector based on clear evidences/academic journals. 4. Carry out a specific stakeholder analysis and devise a stakeholder mapping for the chosen company. Besides, you should explain the significance of stakeholder analysis when formulating new strategy. 5. Based on all external analyses above, identify and analyze the main opportunities and threats (O&T from SWOT) that the company is currently facing. A conclusion to summarize all the key findings and analysis must be presented. Plus, you can conclude whether the chosen company is facing a tough/advantageous time.

Unit assessment criteria Pass

Merit

LO1. Analyze the impact and influence which the macro environment has on an organization and its business strategies. P1. Applying appropriate frameworks analyze the impact and influence of the macro environment on a given organization and its strategies.

M1. Critically analyze the macro environment to determine and inform strategic management decisions.

Prepared by: Higher Education Qualifications (HEQ) Version 1.0 – November 2017 DCL 1 – Public (Unclassified)

Approved by: HEQ, QDAM (HE)

3

Distinction LO 1,2,3 & 4 D1. Critique and interpret information and data applying environmental and competitive analysis to produce a set of valid strategic directions, objectives and tactical actions.

LO3. Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using Porter’s Five Forces model to a given market sector. P3. Applying Porter’s Five M3. Devise appropriate Forces model evaluate the strategies to improve competitive forces of a given competitive edge and market sector for an market position based on organization. the outcomes.

Prepared by: Higher Education Qualifications (HEQ) Version 1.0 – November 2017 DCL 1 – Public (Unclassified)

Approved by: HEQ, QDAM (HE)

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