Strategic Mmgt- Research Based

SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIC MANGEMENT

FINAL PROJECT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

DR. JEAN GARNER STEAD

Assume that the CEO asks your team to undertake a resource assessment of your firm, determining its strengths, weaknesses and core competences. Using this data, the CEO and Board ask your team to evaluate the firm’s current strategies (competitive, corporate, enterprise) in light of the major issues (both opportunities and threats) facing the firm, using a SWOT analysis. Develop a succinct executive summary of your analyses and make recommendations for changes in the firm’s current strategies. Be sure to use both internal data provided by your company along with other external sources.

Format of the Executive Summary:

I. Statement of problem/assignment

II. A brief statement of the methodology used in appendices to address assignment.

The types of research in the appendices should include:

· Audit of the strengths and weaknesses from the functional levels: Marketing, Finance, Operations, R&D, Technology, Management and Information Systems

· Footprint analysis

· Determination of Ss, Ws and core competencies via internal and external evaluation

· Development of a SWOT matrix, utilizing external data gathered at midterm

· Strategy identification at the competitive, corporate and enterprise level

· Using SWOT analysis, evaluate the firm’s strategies and determine performance gaps

III. Findings from the analyses in appendices, backed up with specific data:

· Firm’s strengths, weaknesses, and core competencies

· Major issues facing the firm

· Performance gaps in current strategies in addressing issues

IV. Make recommendations for the future based on your analyses. Be specific:

· Continue with the current strategies

· Continue with current strategies with modifications

· Change strategies

V. Bibliography of sources used

VI. Appendices

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EVALUATION	Does Not Meet Expectations	Meets Expectations	Exceeds Expectations
STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What has the team’s CEO and board asked the team to do and why is it necessary?	· 0	· 1	· 2
CONTENT QUALITY
Students must use multiple, relevant sources. Students must use the IBISWorld Database, the WSJ, etc. Students must correctly apply the sustainable strategic management literature, demonstrating their knowledge of the course material.	· 0	· 1	· 2
:	· 0	· 1	· 2
CONTENT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ANALYSES IN APPENDICES:
Resource audit Determination of strengths, weaknesses and core competencies SWOT matrix Strategy Identification and evaluation Determination of performance gaps in strategies	· 0	· 1	· 2
FINDINGS FROM ANALYSES
Firm’s core competencies	· 0	· 1	· 2
Recommended changes in strategies	· 0	· 1	· 2

ORGANIZATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Executive summary addressed to CEO/Board – maximum 3 pages Appropriate appendices supporting major points in executive summary Concise and data rich	· 0	· 1	· 2
STYLE CONSIDERATIONS
Grammatically correct.	· 0	· 1	· 2
APA bibliographic and citing style	· 0	· 1	· 2
Professional looking executive summary and appendices	· 0	· 1	· 2

NOTE ON STYLE: The executive summary is for the CEO who does not have time to go through all the analyses but who needs to know the most important findings.

· Keep your summary to the maximum of 3 pages.  One page is ideal, but it’s important to leave room for white space, which makes it more readable. Any information after page two stands a 75% chance of being ignored.

· Use plenty of bullet points and subheadings; they make your writing easy to follow and draw attention to important points.  Bold headers and other formatting will help guide your boss through the document and boost his/her comprehension.

· Avoid superlatives and other editorial comments (“We have done some terrific background research.”) Your boss may not agree with your enthusiastic judgment. Your boss wants data to back up your major conclusions not superlatives.