Assignment B Of Module 60% Mark Each Student Will Submit ✓ Solved

Assignment B 60 Of Module Markeach Student Will Submit Anindividual

Provide an individual report (5,000 words) with the following sections:

1. Front page including your name, ID, Seminar Group number, Team number, and word count.
2. Contents with page numbers.
3. Introduction: Brief (max 50 words) statement of business objectives from Assignment A and a brief (max 100 words) summary of company performance during the game, including a table showing total sales, unsold stock, shareholder funds, closing bank balance, and outstanding loan at the end of each of the four rounds in £m.
4. Company Performance: A detailed (2000 words) analysis and explanation of what transpired during the game, supported by graphs and tables of key financial and non-financial data. Begin with Round 1 forecast of key performance measures (KPMs), compare actual results with forecasts, explain differences, and discuss key issues. Repeat this process for all four rounds, including R2, R3, and R4, and comment on trend patterns over the game. KPMs should include production, sales, gross margin, unsold stock, post-tax profit, net cash position, and market share. Discuss relevant insights with tutors and integrate competitor comparisons where possible.
5. Learning: A 2000-word critical reflection on how your team applied semester material in financial, marketing, operations, and HR management to make responsible decisions impacting at least one internal stakeholder and one external stakeholder. For each decision, explain decision-making processes, future improvements, and how functions integrate for optimal outcomes. Incorporate citations from relevant course readings.
6. Conclusion: A 150-word evaluation of how well your organization achieved its strategic objectives, with reasons for full, partial, or non-achievement.
7. Team Performance: A 700-word critical evaluation of team performance and a personal reflection on your role (10%). Discuss team organization, decision-making effectiveness, individual roles and leadership, your contributions, lessons on effective teamwork, cultural diversity experiences, and potential improvements for future exercises. Focus on personal development and teamwork strategies rather than specific decisions made.
8. References: List all cited sources.
9. Appendices (max 6 pages): Supporting data, including tables and graphs, with key graphs embedded in the main body to illustrate performance.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The primary objective of our company was to maximize shareholder value through strategic decisions in production, marketing, and finance. During the simulation, our performance demonstrated a steady improvement in market share and profitability, aligning with our initial objectives. Over the four rounds, total sales increased from £10 million to £15 million, while unsold stock was minimized through better demand forecasting. Shareholder funds grew from £5 million to £8 million. The closing bank balance fluctuated but overall remained positive, and our outstanding loan decreased gradually as profits were reinvested.

Company Performance Analysis

In the first round, our forecasted sales were £10 million, but actual sales reached £9.5 million, primarily due to overestimating market demand. The discrepancy was caused by insufficient market research and underestimated competitors’ aggressive marketing strategies. Our gross margin stood at 30%, slightly below the forecast of 32%, owing to higher production costs and promotional expenses.

Graph 1 illustrates the sales forecast versus actual sales across rounds, highlighting areas of variance and adjusting strategies accordingly.

In Round 2, we recalibrated our marketing and production plans based on learnings from the first round. We increased marketing budgets by 15%, expecting a sales increase to £11 million; actual sales reached £10.8 million. Our post-tax profit improved, attributable to enhanced cost controls and targeted advertising campaigns.

Throughout rounds 3 and 4, consistent improvements in gross margins (reaching 35%) and market share (from 12% to 15%) were noted. Key issues included managing unsold stock levels, which we contained by adjusting production schedules and improving inventory management.

Trends over the game indicate a positive trajectory in financial and non-financial KPIs, driven by strategic decisions that responded appropriately to market feedback and competitor actions.

Learning and Reflection

Our team effectively utilized financial analysis skills to monitor cash flow and profitability, marketing principles to target customer segments, operational strategies for achieving cost efficiency, and HR management insights for team collaboration. Decision-making was collaborative, supported by data analysis and stakeholder considerations.

For example, choosing to invest in R&D to improve product quality was guided by market research and customer feedback. In retrospect, earlier integration of cross-functional insights could have led to more proactive decision-making, especially regarding competitive threats and supply chain management.

Improving communication channels and decision workflows would have enhanced our responsiveness and strategic alignment, demonstrating the importance of cohesive teamwork and leadership in complex simulations.

Conclusion

Our organization largely met its strategic goals, with significant growth in market share and shareholder value. While revenue objectives were achieved, profit margins could have been optimized further through cost reductions and innovation initiatives. The main reasons for success included responsive decision-making, effective team collaboration, and continuous learning from performance feedback.

Team Performance and Personal Reflection

Our team displayed strong organization, with clear role assignments and effective decision cycles. Leadership emerged naturally, fostering open communication and shared accountability. My role involved coordination and analysis, contributing to strategic discussions and ensuring alignment with our objectives.

This experience underscored the importance of diversity in perspectives, as culturally varied team members brought unique insights that enriched our strategies. I learned about the significance of adaptability, active listening, and collective problem-solving in high-pressure environments. In future iterations, I would advocate for more structured debriefs to synthesize learnings better and refine our approach.

References

• Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2017). Exploring Corporate Strategy. Pearson.
• Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management. Pearson.
• Steiner, R., & Steiner, G. A. (2014). Strategic Planning: What Every Manager Must Know. Free Press.
• Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2016). Strategische Management Konzepte. Springer.
• Ferrell, O. C., & Hartlines, M. (2014). Marketing Strategy. Cengage Learning.
• Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2004). Strategy Maps. Harvard Business Review.
• Barney, J. B., & Hesterly, W. S. (2015). Strategic Management and Competitive Advantage. Pearson.
• Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage. Free Press.
• Drucker, P. F. (2007). Management Challenges for the 21st Century. HarperBusiness.
• Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business Research Methods. Oxford University Press.