Asignment 1
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1/22/2018 Project 1: External Environmental Analysis - Submit Files - BMGT 495 6380 Strategic Management (2182) - UMUC Learning Management System
https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db=586682&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=267247 1/5
Assignment 1: External Environment Analysis (25%)
Purpose: This assignment is the first of three assignments. You will use the tools and apply concepts learned in this and previous business courses to demonstrate an understanding of how organizations develop and manage strategies to establish, safeguard and sustain its position in a competitive market.
Monitoring competitors’ performance is a key aspect of performing an external environment analysis. This assignment provides you with the opportunity to evaluate the competitive position of one of the organizations listed below and integrate that information in an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) matrix and Competitive Profile Matrices (CPM).
In this assignment, students are presenting a PowerPoint presentation. The expectation is that the presentation provides the level of detail to help a viewer grasps the main topics and to fully understanding the External Environmental Analysis.
Analysis is the operative word. In analyzing the external environment, you are expected to thoroughly research and take that research and break it into small parts to gain a better understanding of what is happening in the external environment of the business. In researching an industry, it is important to understand that every company within an industry is different so gathering information on one company does not mean that the collected information is relevant to other company within that industry. When researching, parsing the material is critical to an accurate analysis. Avoid presenting just any information as that may lead to using irrelevant information.
You will then create the PowerPoint Presentation using the Note section to share the analysis. In using the Note Section of the presentation, you are expected to present information and support the ideas and reasoning using the course material and your research. You will not lift any information from source documents without properly citing and referencing. For the technical analysis aspect of the assignment, you are required to create the technique on your own and may not use from any source material that you happen to find. No work from a clearinghouse or similar website may be used or cited as a credible source.
Instructions:
NOTE: All submitted work is to be your original work (only your work). You may not use any work from another student, the Internet or an online clearinghouse. You are expected to understand the Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism Policy, and know that it is your responsibility to learn about instructor and general academic expectations with regard to proper citation of sources as specified in the APA Publication Manual, 6th Ed. (You are held accountable for intext citations and an associated reference list only).
Step 1: The External Analysis
After reading the course material for the first three weeks, you will perform an external analysis on an industry where a company from the list below operates and competes. You will select one of these companies to complete the analysis. Using a company other than these will result in a zero for the assignment. You will perform research on the selected company, its industry and its competitors.
Focus on factors related to the company’s industry and the environment that it and its competitors make. The factors to measure are those identified in a SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, PESTEL, EFE, and CPM.
Team, Inc. (NASDAQ: TISI)
HealthStream (NASDAQ: HSTM)
United Rentals (NYSE: URI)
Hawkins (NASDAQ: HWKN)
Step 2: Complete the External Environmental Analysis
In the past weeks, you have learned new concepts and techniques to assess the business environment. You will use these techniques (tools), concepts and information from your own research to perform the external analysis of the selected company’s environment. You are not lifting from other sources but performing your own analysis. Include the following:
Company overview
1/22/2018 Project 1: External Environmental Analysis - Submit Files - BMGT 495 6380 Strategic Management (2182) - UMUC Learning Management System
https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db=586682&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=267247 2/5
Industry analysis Competitive analysis: [Use the company’s closest competitors (3) plus the selected company.] Techniques Analysis: PESTEL, Five Forces, OT from SWOT, EFE, and CPM. Trends: Discuss trends significant to the industry and company and discuss key areas of uncertainty related to trends or events that potentially could impact the company’s strategy. Utilize the Notes section to support each slide
Step 3: Use the Grading Rubric
Use the grading rubric to ensure all required elements are represented in the presentation.
Step 4: Proofread
Proofread for organization, spelling, and grammar and completeness.
Use the spell check in MS PowerPoint as a first measure; Read through the PowerPoint aloud; Have someone who has excellent English skills proofread the presentation.
Step 5: Submission of PowerPoint Presentation
Submit the presentation in the Assignment Folder. (The assignment submitted to the Assignment Folder will be considered a student’s final product and therefore ready for grading by the instructor. It is incumbent upon the student to verify the assignment is the correct submission. No exceptions will be considered by the instructor).
Preparation for the Assignment
As you prepare to create the PowerPoint, read the following requirements that will help you meet the writing and APA requirements. Not reading this information will lead to a lower grade.
Use the grading rubric while completing the assignment. Refer back to the rubric to ensure you have met the requirements.
Third person writing is required. Third person means that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/firstsecondandthird person.
Contractions are not used in business writing, so do not use them in this assignment.
You are expected to paraphrase and NOT use direct quotes unless related to a company’s mission or vision statements. To learn how to paraphrase, review this link: https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html.
In completing this assignment, you are required to support reasoning or conclusions using intext citations. Note that a reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated intext citation and vice versa.
When using a source document, the expectation is that the information is cited and referenced with a page or paragraph number.
No books are allowed other than the course eBook.
How to Set Up the PowerPoint Presentation
1/22/2018 Project 1: External Environmental Analysis - Submit Files - BMGT 495 6380 Strategic Management (2182) - UMUC Learning Management System
https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db=586682&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=267247 3/5
Create a PowerPoint Presentation. The final product will be no longer than 20 slides including the title page and reference page. You will use the note section of the PowerPoint to discuss, explain and support the reasoning and conclusions for the information presented in each slide. The expectation is that what is presented is more than a few sentences for each slide. The analysis must be thorough.
Due Date
Jan 28, 2018 11:59 PM
Hide Rubrics
Rubric Name: Assignment #1
Criteria Outstanding Superior Good Substandard Failure
Company Overview 2.25 points
Company overview is accurately and comprehensively discussed.
(2.025 2.25)
1.9125 points
Company overview is accurately present and most areas are thoroughly discussed.
(1.8 2.024)
1.6875 points
Company analysis is mostly accurate; some areas are thoroughly presented but others may need clarification or additional information.
(1.575 1.79)
1.4625 points
Company overview was attempted but key points were missing or superficially presented.
(1.35 1.574)
0 points
Failed to perfor a company overview.
(0 1.349)
Content: Industry
Analysis
2.25 points
Industry analysis was presented accurately and comprehensively; includes PESTEL analysis, Five Forces, analysis of strategic groups, ideas that can be borrowed from strategic groups, gaps in industry that could lead to opportunities.
(2.025 2.25)
1.9125 points
Industry analysis is present accurately and most areas are developed including PESTEL analysis, Five Forces; analysis of strategic groups, ideas that can be borrowed from strategic groups, gaps in industry that could lead to opportunities.
(1.8 2.024)
1.68755 points
Industry analysis is mostly accurate; some areas are thoroughly presented but others may need clarification; PESTEL and Five Forces is discussed but could be more thorough, strategic groups mentioned; gaps mentioned but opportunities not fully addressed.
(1.575 1.79)
1.4625 points
Attempted to perform an industry analysis but key points were missing or superficially presented.
(1.35 1.574)
0 points
Failed to perfor industry analys
(0 – 1.349)
Content:
Competitive
Analysis
2.25 points
Competitive analysis was performed accurately and comprehensively; identified competitors, competitor product/service; competitor strengths and weaknesses; strategies used by each competitor to achieve their objective; market outlook.
(2.025 2.25)
1.9125 points
Competitive analysis is accurately present and most areas are thoroughly discussed.
(1.8 2.024)
1.6875 points
Competitive analysis is mostly accurate; some areas are thoroughly presented but others may need clarification.
(1.575 1.79)
1.4625 points
Competitive analysis was attempted but key points were missing or superficially presented.
(1.35 1.574)
0 points
Failed to perfor competitive ana
(0 1.349)
Content: External
Environment -
2.25 points
Four or more techniques/tools
1.9125 points
Three techniques and tools were accurately
1.6875 points
Two techniques and tools were
1.4625 points
One technique or tool was accurately created and
0 points
Failed to create techniques/tool
1/22/2018 Project 1: External Environmental Analysis - Submit Files - BMGT 495 6380 Strategic Management (2182) - UMUC Learning Management System
https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db=586682&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=267247 4/5
Techniques and
Tools
were accurately created and comprehensively discussed with thorough explanations.
(2.025 2.25)
created and comprehensively discussed with thorough explanations; four or more techniques/tools created but may not have been depicted accurately or comprehensively discussed.
(1.8 2.024)
accurately created and comprehensively discussed with thorough explanations; three techniques/tools created but may not have been depicted accurately or comprehensively discussed.
(1.575 1.79)
comprehensively discussed with thorough explanations; two techniques/tools created but did not depicted accurately or comprehensively discussed; Presented up to 45 techniques but did not discuss or discussion showed lack of understanding of use of techniques/tools or accuracy of information presented.
(1.35 1.574)
(0 1.349)
Content: Trends 2.25 points
Trend analysis is accurately and comprehensively discussed. (2.025 2.25)
1.9125 points
Trend analysis is accurately present and most areas are thoroughly discussed.
(1.8 2.024)
1.6875 points
Trends analysis is mostly accurate; some areas need clarification or more thoroughness.
(1.575 1.79)
1.4625 points
Discussion of trends was attempted but key points were missing or superficially presented.
(1.35 1.574)
0 points
Failed to discuss trends.
(0 1.349)
Critical
Thinking/Reasoning
3.75 points
Comments reflect a highly accomplished level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts resulting in accurate, thorough, and soundly reasoned conclusions.
(3.375 3.75)
3.1875 points
Comments reflect an excellent level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts resulting in accurately reasoned conclusions.
(3 3.374)
2.8125 points
Comments reflect a satisfactory level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts resulting in partially correct conclusions that lack development or detail that demonstrates insight into reasoning.
(2.625 2.99)
2.6 points
Comments reflect an unsatisfactory level of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning of the case material and case study facts, resulting in conclusions that are underdeveloped or lack soundly reasoned conclusions.
(2.25 2.624)
0 points
Comments refle unsatisfactory le of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reasoning o case material a case study facts resulting in failu draw little to no conclusions. 2.249)
Slides Creation and
Transition
1.25 points
Presentation flows well and logically; transitions are smooth, interesting and enhance presentation
(1.125 1.25)
1.0625 points
Presentation flows well; smooth transitions used on most slides
(1 1.124)
0.9375 points
Presentation flows well; smooth transitions used on some slides
(0.875 0.99)
0.8125 points
Presentation is unorganized; very few transitions and/or they distract from presentation
(0.75 0.874)
0 points
Presentation ha flow; no transiti used
(0 0.74)
Application of
Resources
3.75 points
Presents exceptionally well supported arguments or positions with evidence from the readings/experience; ideas go beyond the course material and recognize implications and extensions of the material and concepts.
(3.375 3.75)
3.1875 points
Presents excellent arguments or positions that are mostly supported by evidence from the readings and course content; ideas presented demonstrate understanding of the material and concepts.
(3 3.374)
2.81225 points
Satisfactory arguments or positions are presented but there is a mix of opinion or unclear view with supported arguments using course readings. Case study facts are occasionally used but arguments would be much stronger with use of facts.
(2.625 2.99)
2.4375 points
Arguments are frequently illogical and unsubstantiated; Limited use of facts in case study and essential information presented in course readings.
(2.25 2.624)
0 points
Arguments lack meaningful explanation or support of ideas. Does no provide facts presented in ca study.
(0 – 2.24)
Attention to 1.25 points 1.0625 points 0.9375 points 0.8125 points 0 points
1/22/2018 Project 1: External Environmental Analysis - Submit Files - BMGT 495 6380 Strategic Management (2182) - UMUC Learning Management System
https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/lms/dropbox/user/folder_submit_files.d2l?db=586682&grpid=0&isprv=0&bp=0&ou=267247 5/5
Instructions Demonstrates exceptional understanding of requirements responding completely to each aspect of assignment including minor aspects of the assignment such as using third person writing, required use of course readings, and assignment format. (1.125 1.25)
Demonstrates excellent understanding of requirements; missed one minor aspect of assignment.
(1.0 1.124)
Demonstrates satisfactory understanding of requirements; missed a key element or two minor aspects of assignment.
(0.875 0.99)
Fails to show a firm understanding of requirements; missed two key elements or several minor aspects of assignment.
(0.75 0.874)
Fails to demons understanding o assignment requirements.
(0 – 0.74)
Writing Mechanics 2.5 points
Strictly adheres to standard usage rules of written English, including but not limited to capitalization, punctuation, runon sentences, missing or extra words, stylistic errors, spelling and grammatical errors. No errors found. No contractions or jargon used.
(2.25 2.5)
2.125 points
Excellently adheres to standard usage of mechanics: conventions of written English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. One to three errors found.
(2.0 2.249)
1.875 points
Satisfactorily adheres to standard usage rules of mechanics: conventions of English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. Four to 10 errors found.
(1.75 1.99)
1.625 points
Minimally adheres to standard usage rules of mechanics: conventions of written English, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. More than 10 errors found.
(1.5 1.749)
0 points
Does not adher standard usage rules of mechan conventions of written English largely incomprehensib or errors are too plentiful to coun
(0 – 1.49)
APA Style (6th ed.) 1.25 points
No APA style or usage errors; Proper citation of source material is used throughout; Reference titles follow APA with only the first word, the first word after a colon and proper nouns capitalized.
(1.125 1.25)
1.0625 points
Attempts intext citations and reference list but one or two APA style errors noted or fails to use APA citations when appropriate 12 times.
(1.0 1.124)
0.9375 points
Attempts intext citations and reference lists; APA style errors are noted throughout; Fails to use APA citations when appropriate 3 times in document.
(0.875 0.99)
0.8125 points
Attempts intext citations and reference lists; Fails to use APA citation when appropriate 45 times; or presents only 12 intext citations and reference list that requires APA citations throughout the document.
(0.75 0.874)
0 points
No attempt at A style; or attemp either intext citations or reference list bu omits the other.
(0. – 0.74)
Overall Score Outstanding
22.5 or more
Superior
20 or more
Good
17.5 or more
Substandard
15 or more
Failure
0 or more
1/22/2018 Announcements - BMGT 495 6380 Strategic Management (2182) - UMUC Learning Management System
https://learn.umuc.edu/d2l/lms/news/main.d2l?ou=267247 1/1
Hi everybody,
Besides the Weekly Learning Activities (Discussion forum participation) in Week 3, Assignment 1 entitled “External Environmental Analysis” would need to be submitted as PowerPoint Presentation with the due date Sunday of this week.
First of all, the focal company must be one of the companies that are provided within Assignment 1 instructions. Any of the learners that use a focal company that is not specified within Assignment 1 shall earn a zero for his or her respective assignment because his/her respective focal company is completely wrong. No exception for whatever reason.
Please follow exactly the instructions in Assignment 1, review the rubrics, research the company, compile your drafts, revise them, finalize the draft, and submit your assignment in PowerPoint with embedded speaker notes. The PowerPoint would have three main sections: a title page slide, the main content slides, and reference page slides.
In each slide:
Learners are expected to write in their own words. Learners are expected to use short bullet points in slides. Learners are expected to include corresponding in-text citations in slides. Learners are expected to use in their own words to write the speaker notes in each slide with details to explain, discuss, and analyze the written content of each slide. Learners are expected to (1) quote succinctly, (2) use our course ebook and reading materials from LEO course content, (3) refer only to scholarly sources via UMUC online library with doi numbers, (4) use articles researched from that focal company’s own website, and (5) give due credit to all these reference sources. Learners are expected to avoid any unapproved reference sources as mentioned in W1 Announcement 18.
Please keep in mind that learners are expected to include corresponding in-text citations and reference sources in speaker notes and in PowerPoint slides.
