Assignment 2 Lasa 2 Capstone Strategic Auditing

Assignment 2 Lasa 2capstone Strategic Auditin This Assignment Studen

Using the tools and framework learned in class and throughout the program, prepare a 15-page strategy audit of your company with a companion presentation. The strategy audit is a comprehensive analysis of the company’s business strategy and operating performance, and culminates in a series of recommendations for improving your company’s performance based on the findings and conclusions of your analysis.

A strategy audit involves assessing the actual direction of a business and comparing that course to the direction required to succeed in a changing environment. A company's actual direction is the sum of what it does and does not do, how well the organization is internally aligned to support the strategy, and how viable the strategy is when compared to the external market, competitors, and financial realities. These two categories, the internal assessment and the external or environmental assessment, make up the major elements of a strategy audit. In your strategy audit: Provide a high-level analysis of the company’s business strategy and operating performance. Be sure to complete the following: Analysis of the company value proposition, market position, and competitive advantage External environmental scan/five forces analysis Internal environmental scan/organizational assessment SWOT Analysis Balanced scorecard/strategy scorecard Recommend specific tactics for improving your company’s strategic alignment and operating performance.

Recommendations can include but are not limited to tactics in marketing, branding, alliances, mergers/acquisitions, integration, product development, diversification or divestiture and globalization (if you recommend your company go global, you must include a supply chain analysis and an analysis of your firm’s global capabilities). Explain how the recommendations will help the company achieve its strategy and vision. You are to write this report as though you are a consultant to your company, and are addressing the executive officers of this company. You will collect and analyze a large amount of data in producing your report, but your final product will be condensed and focus on presenting your analysis findings and conclusions.

Paper For Above instruction

The following comprehensive strategy audit integrates multiple analytical frameworks with the goal of providing strategic insights and actionable recommendations for the company's executive leadership. This document embodies a high-level evaluation of the company's strategic position, internal capabilities, external challenges, and opportunities, offering targeted recommendations to enhance overall performance and strategic alignment.

Executive Summary

The firm under review exhibits a robust value proposition with a strong market position, yet faces notable challenges from external forces that threaten its competitive edge. The strategic analysis reveals strengths in brand recognition, product innovation, and supply chain efficiency, balanced against weaknesses such as overreliance on specific markets and internal misalignments in organizational structure. Opportunities include expanding into emerging markets and leveraging digital transformation, while threats encompass rising competitive rivalry and global economic fluctuations. Based on these insights, key recommendations include diversifying the product portfolio, enhancing organizational agility, and pursuing strategic alliances or acquisitions to accelerate growth. Implementing a comprehensive balanced scorecard will enable better performance tracking, ensuring strategic initiatives translate into measurable operational improvements.

Strategic Issues and Recommendations

Drawing from detailed analyses including SWOT, Five Forces, organizational assessment, and environmental scans, the following are the seven most critical strategic issues confronting the company:

  1. Market Diversification and Expansion: The company's heavy reliance on mature markets exposes it to saturation and cyclical risks. To mitigate this, expanding into emerging economies with tailored products can create new revenue streams.
  2. Product Portfolio Optimization: A misalignment exists between current offerings and evolving consumer preferences. Innovating and repositioning products to align with digital lifestyles can enhance market relevance.
  3. Organizational Structure and Decision-Making: Rigid hierarchies hinder rapid response to market changes. Restructuring toward a more agile, decentralized decision-making process can boost innovation and responsiveness.
  4. Supply Chain Globalization and Capabilities: To support international expansion, a deep analysis of supply chain robustness and international capacity is necessary, including assessment of global sourcing risks and logistics infrastructure.
  5. Technology and Digital Transformation: Embracing digital tools and data analytics can improve customer engagement, operational efficiency, and product development cycles.
  6. Brand and Marketing Strategy: Reinforcing brand differentiation through digital marketing, content strategies, and aligning messaging with customer values can increase loyalty and market share.
  7. Corporate Culture and Change Management: Fostering a culture that embraces innovation and continuous improvement is vital. Clear articulation of mission, vision, and values aligned with strategic goals will enhance organizational cohesion.

Each strategic issue originates from the analysis of internal strengths and weaknesses, external opportunities and threats, and industry forces shaping competitive dynamics. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach involving organizational change, strategic alliances, product innovation, and operational efficiencies.

Recommendations

To respond effectively to these strategic issues, specific tactics are proposed:

  • Diversify Revenue Sources: Develop new products tailored to emerging markets, supported by localized marketing and distribution channels, to reduce dependence on mature markets.
  • Innovate and Reposition Products: Implement customer-centric R&D approaches, utilize digital analytics for consumer preferences, and accelerate time-to-market for new offerings.
  • Restructure for Agility: Flatten organizational hierarchies, empower cross-functional teams, and implement decision-making frameworks that support quick responses to market shifts.
  • Enhance Global Supply Chain Capabilities: Invest in flexible logistics, diversify sourcing options, and develop global supplier relationships to mitigate risks and optimize costs.
  • Leverage Digital Technologies: Deploy enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and data analytics platforms to enhance operational efficiencies and customer insights.
  • Strengthen Brand Positioning: Increase digital marketing investments, develop engaging content, and communicate corporate social responsibility initiatives aligned with consumer values.
  • Cultivate a Culture of Innovation: Implement continuous learning programs, recognize innovative efforts, and align organizational values with a strategic focus on adaptation and growth.

These tactical initiatives are designed to create strategic alignment across functions, improve operational performance, and enable the company to capitalize on identified opportunities while mitigating external threats. They also serve to embed scalability, responsiveness, and innovation into the organizational fabric, ensuring long-term competitiveness and sustainability.

References

  • Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.
  • Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. Free Press.
  • Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (1996). The Balanced Scorecard: Translating Strategy into Action. Harvard Business School Press.
  • Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2017). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases. Cengage Learning.
  • Grant, R. M. (2019). Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Text and Cases Edition. Wiley.
  • Chrisman, J. J., & McMullan, W. W. (2004). Strategic Management of Family Businesses: An Organizational Perspective. Family Business Review, 17(4), 309–321.
  • Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2017). Exploring Corporate Strategy. Pearson.
  • Prahalad, C. K., & Hamel, G. (1990). The Core Competence of the Corporation. Harvard Business Review, 68(3), 79–91.
  • Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. Sage Publications.
  • Wheelen, T. L., & Hunger, J. D. (2017). Strategic Management and Business Policy: Globalization, Innovation, and Sustainability. Pearson.

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