Business Strategy Report: Strategic Planning and Implementation

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of business strategy, addressing various aspects from strategic planning to implementation. The report begins with an exploration of the strategic planning process, defining key concepts like corporate vision, mission, and objectives, and then proceeds to explain strategic planning techniques. It covers organizational and environmental audits, utilizing tools such as the ANSOFF Matrix, SWOT Analysis, PORTER Five Forces, and PESTEL framework. The report also emphasizes the importance of stakeholder analysis, using the MENDELOW Matrix as a tool. Furthermore, it delves into strategy evaluation and selection, comparing growth strategies like vertical and horizontal integration, and exploring market entry strategies such as organic growth and mergers and acquisitions. Finally, the report examines strategy implementation, including roles, responsibilities, resource requirements, and the use of Gantt charts for timelines. The assignment uses real-world examples to illustrate these concepts, making it a valuable resource for students studying business strategy.

Final Unit Grade: Pass Merit Distinction
Learning
Outcome Learning
outcome
Assessment
Criteria
In this assessment you will have the
opportunity to present evidence that
shows you are able to:
Task No Evidence
(Page no)
LO1
Understand
the process
of strategic
planning
1.1 explain strategic contexts and
terminology – missions, visions,
objectives, goals, core competencies
1
1.2 review the issues involved in strategic
planning
1
1.3 explain different planning techniques 1
LO2
Be able to
formulate a
new strategy
2.1 produce an organisational audit for a
given organisation
2
2.2 carry out an environmental audit for a
given organisation
2
2.3 explain the significance of stakeholder
analysis
2
LO3 Understand
approaches
to strategy
3.1 analyse possible alternative strategies
relating to substantive growth, limited
growth or retrenchment
3
1

evaluation
and selection
3.2 select an appropriate future strategy for
a given organisation
3
LO4 Understand
how to
implement a
chosen
strategy
4.1 compare the roles and responsibilities
for strategy implementation
4
4.2 evaluate resource requirements to
implement a new strategy for a given
organisation
4
4.3 discuss targets and timescales for
achievement in a given organisation to
monitor a given strategy.
4
Learner declaration
I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and the research sources are fully acknowledged.
Student signature: Date:
Assessor’s Name
LO Learning
outcome
Assessment Criteria Feedback Assessor’s
Decision
Pag
e no
LO1
Understand
the process
of strategic
planning
1.1 explain strategic
contexts and terminology –
missions, visions,
objectives, goals, core
competencies
1.2 review the issues
involved in strategic
planning
explain different planning
techniques
Be able to
formulate a
new
2.1 produce an
organisational audit for a
given organisation
2

LO2 strategy 2.2 carry out an
environmental audit for a
given organisation
2.3 explain the significance
of stakeholder analysis
LO3 Understand
approaches
to strategy
evaluation
and
selection
3.1 analyse possible
alternative strategies
relating to substantive
growth, limited growth or
retrenchment
LO4
Understand
how to
implement
a chosen
strategy
3.2 select an appropriate
future strategy for a given
organisation
4.1 compare the roles and
responsibilities for strategy
implementation
4.2 evaluate resource
requirements to implement
a new strategy for a given
organisation
4.3 discuss targets and
timescales for achievement
in a given organisation to
monitor a given strategy.
3

In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades
Grade Descriptor Indicative characteristic/s Contextualization Assessor’s Decision
M1 Identify and
apply strategies to
find appropriate
solutions
An effective approach to study and
research has been applied.
To achieve M1, you will have conducted thorough research of the
business opportunity using a wide range of sources. Key recent
developments within the chosen business area must be examined.
M2 Select / design
and apply
appropriate
methods /
techniques
A range of methods and techniques
have been applied.
To achieve M2, you will utilise a range of applicable Marketing and
Business Strategy methods and techniques
M3 Present and
communicate
appropriate
findings
Communication is appropriate for
familiar and unfamiliar audiences and
appropriate media have been used.
To achieve M3 the work you present will be done so through
appropriate mediums, clearly appropriate for both senior management
as well as external investors.
D1 Use critical
reflection to
evaluate own work
and justify valid
conclusions
Self-criticism of approach has been
made
To achieve D1 you will have conducted an effective critical reflection
and clearly justified your conclusions.
D2 Take
responsibility for
managing and
organising
activities
The importance of interdependence
has been recognised and achieved
To achieve D2 you will have demonstrated a high level of group
cohesiveness and recognition of each other’s individual contribution
D3 Demonstrate
convergent /lateral /
creative thinking
Innovative and creative thought has
been applied
To achieve D3 students will adopt a fresh, creative approach to its
understanding of the market and its application of theoretical models
5

NB: For detailed Feedback please refer to individual script annotation
Internal Verification of Assignment Brief (Approved / Final Version)
IV Name (print) Date
General Comments/ Action Plan
Assessor Signature: Date
Student Agreement:
I understand the feedback given to me and agree to carry out the action required by
the dates indicated
Student Signature: Date
6

7

Assignment brief
Assignment title Business Strategy
Scenario
Imagine that you have worked as a Strategy consultant with one major business consultancy firms in
London, for just over three years. As an experienced strategy consultant you were expected to evaluate the
client's corporate vision and propose environmental analysis, organisational plans and solutions for a holistic
strategic approach. You have been working with many clients from retail and finance to governmental
agencies and charities. Your role has been to audit, and implement new strategic choices for your client’s
companies to create long-term, sustainable growth.
Today, your CEO asked you to deliver a seminar to new group of newly recruited strategy interns. The
seminar must be brief all interns with business strategy theory and it’s application to one of your previews
client companies. After the seminar, the CEO required a comprehensive report, to consider you for a
promotion.
TASK 1 - LO1: Understand the process of strategic planning
You are required to:
a) Discuss the steps of the Strategic Planning Process. In this discussion, you should include
definitions and examples for corporate vision, mission and objectives along with brief descriptions of
the concepts of ‘core competencies’ and ‘competitive advantage’.
b) The CEO asked you to handout a bespoke brochure to all interns. Produce a 2-page informational
promotional brochure about the role of strategy and issues involved in Strategic Planning. This
brochure should include brief descriptions of what is meant by strategic planning and the role of
strategy. You can also illustrate Mintzberg, ‘Five Ps for Strategy’, two problems in strategic planning
and, two different planning techniques used. Only two small images can be included. Copy and
paste a screenshots of the 2 pages of the brochure that you have created either with MS Word or
MS PowerPoint. Also provide a brief discussion and speaker notes that will explain the content of
the promotional brochure after you hand it out during the Seminar.
c) Discuss in details, the utility and application of either the BCG matrix (Boston Consulting Group) as
a growth planning technique OR the SPACE matrix as a strategic positioning technique for
managers.
(This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 1, Assessment Criteria 1.1, 1.2, 1.3.)
TASK 2 - LO2: Be able to formulate a new strategy
You are required to:
a) Explain to the interns how the ANSOFF Matrix OR the SWOT Analysis has helped you to carry out
an organizational audit for one of your client companies. You should include a diagram and detailed
examples from any company, in order to pass this criteria.
b) Discuss with the interns, how your firm would carry out an environmental audit for one of your clients
by either utilizing the PORTER Five Forces OR the PESTEL framework. In your answer you should
provide specific examples from any industry and also include a diagram.
8

c) The CEO expects you to explain to the interns the significance of stakeholder analysis, that is usually
carried out for your client companies by mapping stakeholders using the MENDELOW Matrix.
Select one company and use a diagram to aid the interns understand how the Mendelow Matrix is
used as a tool for stakeholder analysis.
(This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 2, Assessment Criteria 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 )
TASK 3 - LO3: Understand approaches to strategy evaluation and selection
You are required to:
a) During the seminar, one intern asked you to explain the differences between Vertical Integration
AND Horizontal integration when used by managers as a substantive growth strategies. Provide a
detailed explanation, with one company example for each strategy and also highlight four major
differences when comparing Vertical and Horizontal integration growth strategies.
b) The CEO asked you to produce a one-page handout on selecting an appropriate future strategy for
one of your firm’s clients. This handout should illustrate one future market entry strategy such as
Organic Growth OR Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) OR Strategic Alliances. Your answer
should include an example of one organization that you would suggest this selected market entry
strategy.
(This task provides evidence for Learning Outcome 3, Assessment Criteria 3.1, 3.2).
TASK 4 - LO4: Understand how to implement a chosen strategy
You are required to:
a) Your seminar is on your final day and the interns are interested in strategy implementation. Discuss
three roles and responsibilities, and three business activities that are necessary for proper
implementation of the selected strategy. Additionally highlight which human, financial and material
resources are indispensable during strategy implementation.
b) For the selected strategy in Task 3 b, produce a Gantt Chart as a proposed timeline for agreed
strategy targets and milestones. You can utilise either MS Excel or MS Project and it is expected that
you explain all steps in the implementation of the strategy selected for Task 3b.
(This Task provides evidence for Learning Outcomes 4, Assessment Criteria 4.1, 4.2, 4.3)
9

1b.)
10
Two strategic planning techniques:
BCG Matrix
SPACE Matrix
The role of strategic
planning is to guide the
manager and the
employees to achieve the
goal. It is basically the
plan for whole
organization. The
manager can take
assistance from the
strategic plan to make
further strategies.
Issues involved in Strategic Planning:
 Unavailability of the unskilled staff-
For making strategy, it requires
skilled staff so that the
implementation and execution can
make possible.
 Lack of resources- The main resource
which is lacking is the time. Making
strategy needs ample amount of time.
So it is a challenge for making
strategy.

1C.) SPACE Matrix
This matrix can be defined as a management tool which is basically used to analyze a company and its
strategy they should undertake. It is highly focused with the strategy formulation for the competitive position of
an organization. It can be easily analyses by using this matrix with the help of various techniques such as
SWOT analysis, BCG matrix model, industry analysis and IE matrix etc. It is a four quadrant framework which
defines whether aggressive, conservative, defensive or competitive strategies are most appropriate for
organization or not.
Aggressive Quadrant: It takes an advantage of external opportunities in order to overcome with the
internal weaknesses. It is highly focused on avoiding or minimizing external threats so that competitive
advantage can be easily enhanced.
Conservative Quadrant: With the help of this, organizations should stay close to its core competence
and do not take any type of risks.
Defensive Quadrant: This is considered as a most important quadrant of the SPACE matrix in which
organization is highly focused on rectifying internal weaknesses and external threats.
11