Strategic Research Plan

Identify in 350 to 525 words what the plan does well, in addition to areas for improvement.

Discuss whether the plan:

· Clearly states where the organization is going and how it will get there

· Evaluates the organization’s external and internal environments

· Includes a people plan and addresses achievement of a diverse workforce

· Includes corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability

Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 all need to be connected with each other

Apply Business Plan Assessment: Part 2 - Strategic Improvements

Using your analysis of the strategic plan from the Part 1- Strategic Plan Research assignment, complete the following:

Analyze in 350 to 525 words the:

· Purpose of the strategic plan

· Key objectives:

· Market development and how your ideas fit

· Process improvement

· Development of people

· Product/service – How do you deliver? Is there a way to improve quality over time to differentiate?

· Key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure performance over time

Recommend initiatives to support your objectives to improve the strategic plan.

Identify ways to adapt to the changing business environment.

Apply Business Plan Assessment: Part 3 - Pitching the Plan

Using your approved strategic plan from the Part 1 - Strategic Plan Research assignment, complete the following:

Create a 5- to 7- slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation, with speaker notes and visuals on each slide that will sell your identified improvements to the strategic plan, based on your Part 2 analysis.

Include the following:

· Summarize the threats and challenges you have identified within the current strategic plan.

· Determine how to execute the strategic initiatives in order to address the threats and challenges.

· Explain proposed process improvements.

· Assess whether additional resources are needed.

· Describe how resources should be used in the application of the strategic plan.

· Utilize KPIs to justify the financial investment and to measure the success of the proposed improvements to the strategic plan.

· Justify your recommendations based on anticipated Return on Investment (ROI).

Strategic Plan Research – Part 1

Reference Figure 1.1 “Identifying a Company’s Strategy—What to Look For” in Ch. 1 of your text.

Actions to strengthen the firm’s bargaining position with suppliers, distributors and others

Actions to gain increased market share or profitability via lower costs

Actions to gain market share via more performance features better design, quality of Customer service, wider product selection

Actions to strengthen

Actions to strengthen market standing and reputation through corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability or programs

Actions to strengthen corporate culture motivate employees and create a productive working environment

Actions to strengthen competiveness via strategic alliances and collaborative partnerships, mergers or acquisitions

Actions and approaches used in managing R&D production, sales & Marketing, finance and other key activities

Actions to upgrade, build, or acquire competitively important resources and capabilities

Actions to capture emerging market opportunities and defend against external threats to the company’s business prospects

Actions to enter new product or geographic markets or to exit existing ones

THE PATTERN OF ACTIONS THAT DEFINE A COMPANY”S STRATEGY