University Name - Business Strategy Game Reflective Report Analysis

This report is a reflective analysis of a student's experience with the Business Strategy Game (BSG). It delves into the strategic decisions made, evaluating their impact on business outcomes. The report identifies and understands strategic decisions, critically assesses creative strategic management thinking, and analyzes why decisions led to better or worse results than expected. It examines the causality of these decisions, outlines corrective actions, and explores the application of tools like PESTLE analysis and BCG matrix. The report highlights the importance of core competency, technology adoption, and strategic planning in achieving competitive advantage, using examples like Wesfarmers to illustrate key concepts. It emphasizes the need for product differentiation, cost leadership, and effective market expansion strategies. The analysis covers how strategic decisions impact market growth, the role of data in decision-making, and the significance of creative thinking and long-term planning in business strategy.

BSG
Business Strategic Game
Business strategic Game
Name of the Student-
University Name-

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Identify and understand the strategic decision made....................................................................................3
Critically evaluate the application of creative strategic management thinking...........................................4
Establish and analyze why decisions resulted in better or worse results than expected.............................6
Identify and evaluate the causality of those decisions................................................................................7
Outline and analyze the evaluation and execution of corrective action measures to subsequently
manage the decisions better.......................................................................................................................8
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................9
References.................................................................................................................................................10

Introduction
With the ramified economic changes and complex business structure, every organization
needs to take imperative decisions to implement the strategic decisions and effective business
functioning. It is analyzed that business strategic game is associated with the internal and
external business factors which needs to be undertaken to formulate effective business strategic
program. Strategic management is the starting process which is undertaken in the business
strategic game to evaluate and analysis all the opportunities and threats of the business. In the
business strategic game, student’s analysis will be made to determine whether the undertaken
business will be more beneficial and better as compared to other business organizations. The
business strategic game is used by students to learn the effective learning process and implement
the effective strategic decision. In this report, main focus has been made to evaluate the business
strategic game which is used to evaluate proper internal and external business strategic program
to win over the market. It reflects the process activities and undertaken strategic program which
company takes to accomplish its set objectives and goals in long run.
After analyzing all the process of the business strategic game, I could easily determine
the issues and threats of the business and how these issues could be mitigate by implementing the
effective strategies in determined approach. In this reflective strategic report, strategic decision
made and undertaken strategic program have been analyzed which will assist business managers
to make the effective decisions in determined approach.

Identify and understand the strategic decision made
The business strategic game is PC based game exercise in which all the real world issues
and external business factors is analyzed. I have analyzed that by using the business strategic
game, I could easily determine the influential factors which might positively and negatively
impact the business growth and efficiency of the organization. I have found that strategic
decisions made in the business is highly depended upon the internal and external factors. If
proper equilibrium is made between these factors then it will not only assist organization to make
the positive changes in business. It is further observed that cost and revenue relation cause and
effect relation is the main part which reflects that company needs to manage these factors before
undertaking the particular decisions in organization. I have found that the strategic decisions
made in the big multinational on the basis of strategic decisions reflects that company follow
Business strategic game so that they could easily identify the proper procedure and process
system to develop effective business decisions. It is analyzed that many firms have used the
business strategic game such as Wesfarmers, Woolworth and Tesco to make the effective
strategic decisions (Aumann, 2017). I have analyzed that this BSG game starts with the setting
up the operational activities plans and strategic approach undertaken which will assist in
formulating the long term business plan. The PESTLE analysis, BCG matrix and long term
development plan matrix will be the base in the business strategic game. In BSG game, I have
found that every organization is accompanied with the several strategic options and functional
program. In Wesfarmers, I analyzed that there are several strategic activities such as inbound and
outbound activities. In every department, line managers are appointed to take the strategic
decisions. These persons are the key owners of the department who takes their tactics decisions
for maintaining the business effectively. It is analyzed that managers takes the key decisions for
the effective business functioning. I have observed that most of the employees are dependent
upon the orders and decisions taken by their supervisors. This kind of tendency in organization
resists the creation and innovation in business. Wesfarmers have faced issue of non-effective
product differentiation strategy program (Aumann, 2017). In addition to this, Business strategic
game has shown that company development of the strategic program is based on the undertaken
work.
After using the business strategic game, I have understood that creating core competency in

business is very much required to compete in the market with the advance business program.
Company needs to learn that in order to give strong competition in market. It has to adopt the
advance technologies and cyber computing system in its business. This advance technology
assists organization to connect with its clients through online modes in effective manner.
strategic decision making is long term business plan which is developed to mitigate the short
term and long term business issues (Aumann, 2017). However, in order to expand the business
in long run, company could take merger, amalgamation, joint venture and franchises business
strategies. These are the most effective business strategies which are undertaken to achieve the
certain goals and objectives. the main strategic decisions which were taken by Wesfarmers are
product development, market expansion and diversification of its business in other market
segments. The strategic decision was undertaken after collecting the required amount of
information form the valuable sources. It assisted organization to estimate the future issues and
problems in the earlier time and proper resolvance program is prepared to mitigate the same
issues (Cokins, 2017). I have found that most of the strategic decisions are taken by the persons
who are key managerial persons. These persons act in the best interest of the organization and
takes imperative decisions for the sustainable growth of the organization. In case of Wesfarmers,
all the strategic decisions such as arrangement of finance funding, investing in the particular
course of action and implementing the strategic decisions is highly based on the
Critically evaluate the application of creative strategic management
thinking
It is analyzed that the application of the creative strategic management thinking is based
on the implemented strategic program in business. I have found that manager of the company
focuses on achieving the competitive advantage in business. The creative strategic management
thinking is the base program which assists organization to create competitive advantage in
market (Carfì, 2017). It reflects the different outcome and effective business strategies which
company uses to beat the competition in market. In addition this, the proper developed program
have also shown that Wesfarmers have created core competency in product differentiation
strategic program. Creative thinking provides the base for creative and effective strategic
program. These are mainly taken by the management for the effective development of
organization. I have also analyzed that divergent thinking is based on the set of strategic

activities implemented by organization to mitigate the strategic issues and problems in business.
I have learned that the proper strategic thinking and development program is developed with the
consistent efforts and long term planning (Cokins, 2017). If proper analysis is done to evaluate
the internal and external factors of the business then only organization could develop creative
strategic management thinking in business. The business strategic game is one of the tools to
analysis all these associated factors and its impact on the business of the Wesfarmers. The
management department are responsible to take the strategic decisions and undertaken the
creative strategic management decisions to manage the business in effective manner (Criado-
Gomis, Cervera-Taulet, and Iniesta-Bonillo, M.A., 2017). I have found that strategic
management assist organization to mitigate the present and future business issues. However,
after using the business strategic game, I have considered that by using the BCG matrix, top
down analysis and life cycle stage, managers could easily make the effective application of the
undertaken strategic program. It is analyzed that proper business strategic game is top
management activities. I have considered that the biggest challenge for each and every company
is to set up itself different and effective in the market. The product differentiation and cost
leadership skills are the biggest achievement for organization to create strong brand image in
market. All the students have learned that business strategic game has learned to make the
effective decisions related to operations, distribution and warehouse activities. The business
decision making is not only related to the key managerial persons but also related to all the
operational managers to meet the short term and long term objectives (Fabbe-Costes, and Colin,
2017).
All the aspect of the undertaken strategic program of the business strategic game reflects
the functions of the real-world organizations and how they strive to accomplish the
predetermined objectives and goals. Thus, it has allowed me to think rationally and logically in
determining and deciding what to do and how to get the valuable decisions for the effective
competitive conditions. There are other thinks which I have learned by using the business
strategic game such as leadership, management, key managerial persons and undertaken strategic
program. If company takes all the decisions and strategic programs then it will not only increase
the overall outcomes and efficiency of the business. In addition to this, I have considered that
before accepting the particular project company needs to manage the possible resources and
capital in the business. These initial requirements which need to be covered by organization to

mitigate the possible issues and challenges in the business are the main factors to achieve the
certain goals and objectives. Business strategic game has taught me to learn the aspect of crafting
the strategies. These strategies are very much required to maintain the business and implement
the effective strategies to manage the volume, profit, market share, revenue, costing of the
business and performance of organization in long run (Gans, and Ryall, 2017).
I have learned that low cost leadership strategy is considered as competitive advantage
which assists organization to implement the effective strategic programs to manage the business
in the competitive environment. I have considered that Wesfarmers needs to succeed in the
world by using the proper strategic program such as providing the high quality goods and
services in market follow proper strategic cost leadership program and implementing the
marketing plan. I have found that every organization wants to achieve the success in economic
by increasing the market share. With the ramified economic changes, Wesfarmers have used
advance technologies and system process to attract high number of clients in market. These
strategic programs assist in selecting the targets and regions which needs to be covered by entity
to strengthen its overall sales (Ginter, Duncan, and Swayne, 2018).
Establish and analyze why decisions resulted in better or worse results
than expected
Many organization decisions are taken with a view to strengthen the overall market
growth and mitigating the business issues. I have found that in order to meet the current and
future demand of clients in market, Wesfarmers needs to follow the cost leadership and product
differentiation strategy. These both strategies are highly depend upon the invested capital for the
creative and innovative business strategies in long run. Strategic decisions are the foundation for
business growth and expansion in long run. The strategic decisions should be based on the
collected primary and secondary data to make the effective decision making. There are so many
cases when several companies have collapsed due to the non-effective strategies and resulted to
destruction of the business (Kurucz, et al. 2017). There are several reasons which show that why
decisions resulted to better and worse results that what is expected from the undertaken
decisions. I have found that There is no built-in bias favoring any one strategy, no "secret" which
reflects that if company wants to set up its strong brand image then it needs to undertake proper

strategic program and innovative business strategies to set up strong brand image in long run. It
is further observed that there is no magic bullet strategy that students need to challenge to
discover the main compete with their rivals offering in market. The business strategies are the
key aspect for the effective success of business. I have learned that well executed strategy and
well-convinced plan is the valuable approach to achieve the certain parameters. Furthermore, the
strategic plans such as entering into merger, amalgamation and joint venture are the key strategic
decisions which are taken by organization to manage the business on sustainable in long run
(Lawton, 2017).These decisions are highly impacted by the positive and negative business
factors of organization. For instance, with the increasing GDP rate of the Australia, the budget
prepared by the Wesfarmers was also changed which negatively impacted the value chain
activities and available financial resources (Pant, and Yu, 2017).
All aspects of the business strategic game closely mirror the competitive functions of the
real world of the retail stores. Cause and effect relation could also be determined on the basis of
revenue and cost plus method. However, PESTLE analysis is the best method which reflects
analysis of all the external factors such as political, social, legal, technological, environmental
and economical. These factors have been made as realistic as possible in order to provide
company co-managers with a close-to-real-life managerial experience where they can apply what
they've learned in business school. It is the best approach to understand the key aspect of the
strategic planning and implemented strategic plans. It is further observed that most of the
business has undertaken the proper strategic plans to expand the business on international level
(Priem, Wenzel, and Koch, 2018).
Identify and evaluate the causality of those decisions
The causality of the decisions is based on the external factors and how it has been
impacting the business growth of the organization. It is evaluated that company needs to
understand that companies have full range of competitive strategic options which they could use
to implement the effective strategic plans. These strategies are undertaken to implement the
proper business strategic program and avoid the possible business issues. In addition to this,
causality of these decisions is hard to determine. However, with the use of business strategic
game, it is considered that decisions are influenced by analyzing the internal and external factors

of the business. For instance, Wesfarmers took the decision to invest its capital in expanding the
organization and increasing the number of business retail chains. It is considered that decision
was taken with the increasing business growth. The increasing business growth decision was
undertaken on the basis of past data and with the changing economic factors, the decision was
changed (Tang, et al. 2017). The causality of the decisions taken depends upon the particular
circumstance. The causality of the decisions undertaken showcase the strategic decisions based
on the past collected data and implemented development plan. For instance, investing in the
particular project was determined on the basis of return on capital employed of that project.
Nonetheless, with the changing technologies and economic factors, the return on capital
employed went down. It impacted the causality of the decisions undertaken and implemented
strategic program. Company might change its decisions if the return on investment decreases or
resulted to lower as compared to its cost of capital. In this case, there will be no reason of
selecting the project for the investment purpose (Tang, et al. 2017).
Outline and analyze the evaluation and execution of corrective action
measures to subsequently manage the decisions better
With the changes in economic factors and increasing business complexity, it is required
to implement the effective strategic program. However, with the changes in economic factors, if
Wesfarmers found that the undertaken decisions will have negative impact as the associated
business factors have varied then in that case project escalation strategic program will be
accepted (Wheelen, et al. 2017). It is the strategic program which reflects how company could
manage its business influential factors to mitigate the business issues and problems. In case of
project acceptance of project, companies will analysis whether the given return on capital is
adequate enough to cover the cost of capital. If due to the changing factors, the cost of capital
becomes higher as compared to return on capital employed then company should not accept the
project. This strategic program will be based on the available resources and return on capital
employed of organization. In addition to this, company has also used the proper action plan chart
in which all the activities and undertaken tasks will be managed by undertaking the proper
business arrangement. The action plan reflects the time line for every activity and if the work is
not taken in proper time line. In addition to this, project escalation and supporting plan is also
developed to make the effective arrangement of the decisions. The budgeting and sensitivity

analysis are the key measures steps which are used to evaluate the possible changes in market
which might impact the decisions of the organization. Therefore, company needs to learn these
things if they wants to mitigate the possible losses and business issues (Wieland, Hartmann, and
Vargo, 2017).
Conclusion
After analyzing all the issues and factors related to business strategic game, I have found
that management of decisions is highly dependent upon the strategic decisions undertaken by
organization. In addition to this, if company uses the proper strategic approaches in its business
then it will have to analysis that company has to create core competency in market by lower
down the cost of the business and following the product differentiation strategic program. Now
in the end, it could be inferred that the business strategic game is accompanied with the all level
strategic approaches which will assist organization to manage its business and grow effectively.

References
Aumann, R.J., 2017. Game theory. The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, pp.1-40.
Carfì, D., 2017. A game Pareto complete analysis in n-dimensions: a general applicative study
case. Journal of Mathematical Economics and Finance, 3(1), pp.23-46.
Cokins, G., 2017. Strategic business management: From planning to performance. John Wiley
& Sons.
Criado-Gomis, A., Cervera-Taulet, A. and Iniesta-Bonillo, M.A., 2017. Sustainable
entrepreneurial orientation: A business strategic approach for sustainable
development. Sustainability, 9(9), p.1667.
Fabbe-Costes, N. and Colin, J., 2017. Formulating logistics strategy. In Global Logistics And
Distribution Planning (pp. 83-104). Routledge.
Gans, J. and Ryall, M.D., 2017. Value capture theory: A strategic management review. Strategic
Management Journal, 38(1), pp.17-41.
Ginter, P.M., Duncan, W.J. and Swayne, L.E., 2018. The strategic management of health care
organizations. John Wiley & Sons.
Kurucz, E.C., Colbert, B.A., Luedeke-Freund, F., Upward, A. and Willard, B., 2017. Relational
leadership for strategic sustainability: practices and capabilities to advance the design and
assessment of sustainable business models. Journal of cleaner production, 140, pp.189-204.
Lawton, T.C., 2017. Cleared for take-off: structure and strategy in the low fare airline business.
Routledge.
Pant, V. and Yu, E., 2017. Understanding strategic moves and reciprocity on Software
Ecosystems: A strategic modeling approach. In IWSECO 2017, 9th International Workshop on
Software Ecosystems (pp. 28-42).

Priem, R.L., Wenzel, M. and Koch, J., 2018. Demand-side strategy and business models: Putting
value creation for consumer’s center stage. Long range planning, 51(1), pp.22-31.
Tang, J.P., Lam, H.L., Aziz, M.A. and Morad, N.A., 2017. Palm biomass strategic resource
managment–A competitive game analysis. Energy, 118, pp. 456-463.
Wheelen, T.L., Hunger, J.D., Hoffman, A.N. and Bamford, C.E., 2017. Strategic management
and business policy. pearson.

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