Business Strategy (BS) Assignment guide:
Table of content
General introduction
-What the assignment will contain/ what you will put in the
assignment
Apples Background/overview
-Location
-Where they operate
-What they do
-Company size
TASKs strategic Planning
1.1. Explain the concept of “strategy”, state and explain vision, mission, goals,
objectives and core competencies
You may use Apple’s vision, mission, objectives, goals, core competencies to
support your answer. (AC 1.1)
1.2. Review the issues involved in strategic planning.
Discuss the issues/ problems associated with strategic planning
1.3. Explain 4 planning techniques that organisations can use, (e.g BCG growthshare matrix, value chain analysis, scenario analysis, PIMS, SPACE, NPV)
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TASK 2 Formulating Strategy
2.1. Carry out an (internal) organizational audit of Apple to determining their
strengths and weaknesses), Take into consideration the organisational culture,
structure, resources, stakeholders etc. (Your understanding or Analysis of the
industry is useful here (Porter’s five forces)
2.2. Undertake an external (macro) environmental analysis of Apple using
PESTEL model to identifying opportunities and threats prevailing in the external
environment
2.3
Explain the importance of stakeholder’s analysis. You may give
examples. Your answer should be analytical and not descriptive.
Task 3 Strategy formulation
3.1. Analyse possible alternative future strategies of Apple relating to
substantive growth (horizontal and vertical integration, related diversification);
limited growth , strategies described in Ansoff’s Matrix – market penetration,
market development, product development) and
Retrenchment (turnaround, divestment)
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3.2. Select an appropriate future strategy for Apple to pursue (AC 3
Choose from 3.1
Discuss how it should be done
Justify why you have chosen that strategy.
Don’t forget to include the benefits that would be derived from the chosen
strategy,
TASK 4 Strategy Implementation
4.1. Compare the roles and responsibilities of those who will implement the
strategies.
Corporate levels (CEO)
Tactical – middle level managers
Operational-(project) team members in implementing a strategy,
Apples example can be used to support your points.
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4.2. Evaluate what resources (financial, human resources, time, materials and
equipment/technology) will be required to implement a new strategy for
Apple. (AC 4.2)
4.3. Discuss targets and timescales that you have set to
Successfully realise Apple’s strategies that you have suggested, and use Gantt
chart or appropriate tools to demonstrate how it would be monitored and
assessed or evaluated.
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