Tesla Motors: Sustainable Approach, CSR and Strategic Planning Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Tesla Motors' sustainable approach to business management. It explores the company's strategic planning, including its mission and vision statements, organizational culture, and sustainable leadership. The report delves into Tesla's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, examining issues related to the automotive industry such as recycling, energy efficiency, and supply chain management. Furthermore, it reflects on the learning experience gained from analyzing the Tesla case, highlighting the development of key skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and ICT proficiency. The report emphasizes Tesla's commitment to transitioning to a sustainable energy future and its efforts to address environmental and social challenges within the automotive sector. The analysis underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into business models to achieve long-term profitability and contribute to a sustainable society.

TESLA MOTORS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Demonstrate application of a sustainable approach to business management, including
strategic planning and CSR challenges.......................................................................................1
Reflection on learning experience and development of key skills from the analysis of business
case..............................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Sustainable development is an approach to development and growth & also to manage
social capital for the welfare of future generation and for their own
(Chia and et.al., 2018). Tesla is an electric auto mobile manufacturer company that was founded
in Palo Alto, California in 2003. It was founded by Martin Eberhard & Marc Tarpenning. It
operates multiple production around the world. Tesla motor company is an independent auto
maker whose main aim is to offer electric cars at affordable prices to average and potential
consumers. This study covers sustainable approaches and importance of corporate social
responsibility and different elements of strategic planning. The study report also explains about
key findings of the research and analysis of the case company. Further the report provides a
reflection which is based on the learning experience and analysis of business case.
MAIN BODY
Demonstrate application of a sustainable approach to business management, including strategic
planning and CSR challenges
Every business organisation around the world focuses on effectively fulfilling the new
role, that is, meeting the needs of present generation without compromising for future
generations regarding meeting their own needs. Strategic planning refers to activity of an
organisation's management which is used for setting priorities, focusing on resources and energy,
strengthening operations, ensuring that employees and various other stakeholders work towards
common objectives and establishing agreements regarding intended results and outcomes.
Tesla motors also aims at effectively applying the sustainable approach to their business
management and it also includes strategic planning. The strategic planning of Tesla motors
includes setting priorities and goals, analysing environment, formation of strategies including
sustainable approach, implementation of strategies and approaches and finally monitoring of
strategies. Brief explaination of sustainable approach of Tesla motors including strategic
planning and CSR policies is given as follows.
Sustainable approach of Tesla motors is far from concentrating for producing less harm
products rather than it focuses on creating higher value for the target customers and also for
society, community at large. Strategic plans of Tesla motors are focused on developing and
increasing sustainability and reducing CSR challenges. The organisational structure, mission and
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vision are developed in a way that it helps in maintaining sustainability. Tesla motors has
successfully and completely changed the transportation industry. Tesla motors now-a-days is a
electric car producer that aims at forcing even other industries for moving towards sustainable
future (Dietz and et.al., 2017).
Mission statement of Tesla Motors was “To accelerate transition of world for sustainable
transport”. In mid-2016, Tesla motors changed its mission statement under the leadership of Elon
Musk into, “To accelerate the transition of world to sustainable energy”. The new mission
statement aims at indicating slightly and significant shift in operations of company. So that it can
effectively address various market opportunities regarding renewable energy. The new mission
of Tesla motors recognize relevancy of company's batteries and other related energy storage
products available in markets in addition to electric vehicle market.
Vision statement of Tesla motors is “To create a car that is most compelling of 21st
century through driving the transition of world to electric vehicles”. The vision statement
emphasises on focus of company for renewable energy. Tesla motors addresses on electric
vehicle market and consider it as major avenue for facilitating development and growth of global
renewable energy market.
Organisational Culture of Tesla motors aims at creating opportunities regarding
bringing innovation so that it helps in developing competitiveness of electric car business. The
features of Tesla's corporate culture helps in encouraging employees for generating new and
innovative solutions and ideas. Tesla motor follows innovative problem-solving corporate
culture that helps in motivating employees for developing sustainable and profitable solutions for
various current and emerging issues of target markets. For example, Tesla motors develops its
organisational culture in a way that it motivates and encourages employees for developing
advanced electric vehicles. This acts as a solution for various environmental issues, fulfils
corporate social responsibility of company and acts as sustainable approach (Geneletti and et.al.,
2017).
Recently, Tesla motors reached the value of of USD $50.84 billion and successfully
became the most valuable automotive or car company of USA (TESLA becomes a model for
sustainable leadership: David and Goliath revisited, 2017). This is the result of leadership
shown by Tesla motors for incorporating sustainability concept in its business management and
strategic planning. The company does not focus on short-term goals or immediate development
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and growth as generally every marketers do. From the beginning only, Tesla decided to adopt a
big approach that focuses on addressing two main sustainability imperatives: transition to neutral
economy and urgent need for sustainable organisational model for transportation industry which
is based on zero emission.
Government policies and procedures guides auto-makers or automotive ind8ustry to
increase their energy efficiency of models and reduce the environmental footprints which are
caused by engines. Various regulations demands that automotive industries needs to produce
something which pollutes less and also consumes small amount of energy resources. Tesla think
that it is minimalistic approach as its main objectives was concerned with lessening the problems
of environment and not to fix them. Thus, the strategic approaches of Tesla motors is far from
the focusing on less harmful products but to creating higher value for various stakeholders
including customers and society at large. The strategic and sustainable approach of Tesla motors
is founded with long-term organisational model in mind and also built-in understanding for
social demands. Company aims at bringing continuous improvements in its systems and focuses
on the big picture and sustainable future. The sustainable leadership approach is a successful
business model which aims at competing in the target market place by effectively achieving
long-term profits and also conserving the natural resources. The main focus of this sustainable
approach applied to business management is to effectively contributing for building a sustainable
community or society (Giulianotti, 2015).
Corporate Social Responsibility refers to a business approach that helps in contributing
for sustainable development through effectively delivering economic, environmental and social
benefits for all the stakeholders of company. CSR for auto-makers or in the automotive industry
comprises various issues and challenges which may emerge during the production, use or in the
disposal phases. Thus, Tesla motors adopts a life-cycle approach that pays attention on CSR
issues for all the supply chain stages. Company focuses on effectively managing and reporting
on the environmental, social and governance topics. It may include health and safety of workers,
utilizing resources, impacts of operational on environment, various corporate governance rules
and policies. This all leads to help organisation for effectively competing in competitive business
environment which may characterized by changing legislations, finite natural resources and
increasing public expectations regarding corporate accountability. Tesla motors and Elon Musk
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the founder pays great attention for bringing sustainable improvements and innovation in
automotive industry through generating renewable energy and even beyond this.
The Corporate Social Responsibility strategy or sustainable approach of Tesla motors aim
at effectively addressing major interest of the stakeholders of various automotive and energy
solution businesses. Both stakeholders and business affects each other. The relationship between
stakeholder and business puts emphasis on importance of CSR, corporate citizenship and also on
stakeholder management. For example, various CSR issues that may have to be faced by Tesla
motors includes recycling techniques, adopting of various energy efficient techniques and
technologies, their proper use, storage and disposal of various hazardous materials, compliances
of customers and environmental, purchasing and packaging materials through recycled materials,
reducing consumption of non-renewable resources, training employees for personal environment
awareness. The issues that needs to effectively addressed for maintaining CSR policies also
includes consumption of less resources in the process of production, development of various
alternative fuel technologies, maintaining environment efficiency factories. Supply chain
responsibilities and green supply chain management needs to effectively managed by Tesla
motors for fulfilling sustainability and sustainable approach (Hardman, Shiu and Steinberger-
Wilckens, 2015).
Reflection on learning experience and development of key skills from the analysis of business
case
I successfully learned various things and also developed skills through analysing the
given business case. The business case was about Tesla motors that is automotive car industry. I
analysed the business case after reading case lightly at first for getting a general feel of
knowledge, then read it again and again. I read it multiple times so that I can become familiar
with the business case and understand the concept. This helped to find about the important facts
and information. The major focus of the business was to find about the strategic planning of the
company that focuses on sustainable approach and resolving CSR issues and challenges. The
business cases are loaded with many important information and analysing it effectively requires
good and relevant research and study on it. Thus, the challenge in analysing the business case
effectively is to separate the most important facts or information.
The business case analysis was fun, exhilarating and inspiring as well. Generally the
business cases describes about the real-life business situations. And this helped me to find every
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relevant and accurate information for it so that I can effectively analyse it and gain knowledge
and skills. Some problems and issues are to be discussed and analysed in the case study that
guided for identifying possible solution for it and analysing its impacts on the society at large
and on business as well. Various strategies and approaches were used for resolving the problems
in systematic manner. The issue were related to CSR and ways for maintaining sustainability.
Thus, I made in-depth research study for identifying the relevant information and find out the
solution to business problems (Smith, A., 2016).
Analysing the business case of Tesla motor company guided me and helped me for
developing various key skills and knowledge. Within the context of real-life business situations
and decision-making skills, I learned about business and management theories and its
application. At the same time I also developed wide range of key and vital skills. This included
analysis, negotiation, defending and challenging own viewpoints, team and lone working, ability
regarding guarding against decision-making which is based on too little information. I also
greatly enhanced confidence level through analysing the business case. It was a quite challenging
task and experience. In order to effectively analyse the given topic or business case, various key
skill and knowledge are required, which are explained as follows:
Working with others: The analysis of the business case also helped to bring
improvements in my current skills and knowledge. I gained knowledge for working with others
in a team. The team-working skills leads to bring out better results and outcomes. Working in a
team helped me to share the relevant and accurate information with the other members so that I
can also learn from their views and experiences.
Problem-solving: Through analysing the given business case, I developed the problem-
solving skills and knowledge. The analysis of business case helped me to find the solution for
business problems by observing relevant facts and information. The process of observing about
what is going in the business environment helps in improving the problem-solving skill.
Identifying issues, listing possible options or solutions for it, evaluating the available options
effectively and then selecting the best options helps in developing the problem-solving skill.
Reviewing, monitoring and analysing the business case helps in improving the problem-solving
skill and knowledge (Strielkowski and Chigisheva, 2018).
ICT skills: This means information communication technology. The analysis of business
case was done by searching the required, accurate and relevant information through digital
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technology. It includes mobile phones, tablet or computers, sending emails, browsing on internet,
etc. These are considered as the gaining required knowledge through using internet and
technology. The learning experience through analysing the business case helped to bring
improvements in ICT skills and knowledge. But. I still feel that there needs to be more
improvements in the ICT knowledge as it is wide concept. Bringing further improvements in ICT
skill and knowledge will help to effectively analyse the topic in further learning or studies.
Numeracy skills: This are the basic knowledge and skill regarding mathematics. It
includes range of abilities for understanding and analysing numerical information and for making
the right decisions and conclusion. I developed my numeracy skills through analysing the given
business case as it includes expressing ideas and situations by using mathematical and numerical
information.
Communication skills: This refers to the ability for receiving and giving different kinds
of data or information. Expressing the views and feelings can be described as the communication
skill. Both verbal and written skills are required for analysing the given topic or business case. It
may involves listening, observing, speaking and empathizing (Wolf and Floyd, 2017). I
effectively developed my both verbal and written communication skill through this learning
experience. I still feel that communication skill needs to be developed further in order to
effectively manage the future studies or work experience.
Presentation skill: This refers to skill which are needed for delivering the report or
presentation in effective and engaging way. The analysing of business case was presented in
proper format and presented in a way that it engages variety of audiences. Thus, I successfully
developed the presentation skills through this analysing and learning experience. But, I still need
to focus on bringing improvements in this skill so that I can effectively engage the audience and
effectively present the analysis of report or given business case.
Following is given the action plan that will guide me to bring further improvements in
current skills and knowledge. The action plan helps in guiding and directing actions that can
bring improvements in required areas, skills and knowledge.
Areas that require
improvements
Actions and resources required for
bringing improvements
Time-frame
ICT skill I can develop ICT skill and uses of
digital technology for collecting required
2-3 months will be
required for bringing
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and relevant information through internet
by joining computer courses. Reading
course books or magazines. Taking guide
and help from professional personnels,
collogues and mentors.
further improvements in
this area.
Communication skill Communication skill can be developed
by reading newspaper, books or
magazines. Reinforcing active listening
and asking open ended question will
guide me for bringing further
improvements in the communication skill
(Bryson, 2018). Reflective learning
opportunities and group presentation and
assignment will also guide me to develop
the required skill.
8 to 9 weeks will be
required for developing
the communication skill.
Presentation skill This skill can be developed by attending
other presentation and observing them
effectively (Belal, 2016). Using positive
visualization will guide me to bring
further developments on this skill.
I can develop my
presentation skill within
1 to 2 months.
CONCLUSION
In the present report demonstration of strategic planning was done. Tesla was the
business case and its analysis was done in the report. Sustainable approach and CSR issues were
discussed in the report study. The analysis of the business case helps in developing various skills
and knowledge. There are various skills and knowledge that was developed and improved
through analysing and learning about the business case. ICT skill, communication skill,
presentation skill and Numeracy skill has been developed through the business case analysis.
Action plan has been developed in the report that helps individual for bringing further
improvements in the skills and knowledge.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Belal, A.R., 2016. Corporate social responsibility reporting in developing countries: The case of
Bangladesh. Routledge.
Bryson, J.M., 2018. Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to
strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement. John Wiley & Sons.
Chia, S. R. And et.al., 2018. Sustainable approaches for algae utilisation in bioenergy
production. Renewable energy. 129. pp.838-852.
Dietz, S. S. And et.al., 2017. An International Learning Experience: Looking at Multicultural
Competence Development through the Lens of Relational-Cultural Theory. Journal of
Counselor Practice. 8(1). pp.22-44.
Geneletti, D. and et.al., 2017. A review of approaches and challenges for sustainable planning in
urban peripheries. Landscape and Urban Planning. 165. pp.231-243.
Giulianotti, R., 2015. Corporate social responsibility in sport: critical issues and future
possibilities. Corporate Governance. 15(2). pp.243-248.
Hardman, S., Shiu, E. and Steinberger-Wilckens, R., 2015. Changing the fate of Fuel Cell
Vehicles: Can lessons be learnt from Tesla Motors?. international journal of hydrogen
energy. 40(4). pp.1625-1638.
Smith, A., 2016. Experiential learning. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Strielkowski, W. and Chigisheva, O., 2018. Social, Economic, and Academic Leadership for
Sustainable Development of Business and Education in the Future: An Introduction.
In Leadership for the Future Sustainable Development of Business and Education (pp. 3-
8). Springer, Cham.
Wolf, C. and Floyd, S.W., 2017. Strategic planning research: Toward a theory-driven
agenda. Journal of Management. 43(6). pp.1754-1788.
Online
TESLA becomes a model for sustainable leadership: David and Goliath revisited. 2017.
[Online]. Available through: <https://www.imd.org/research-knowledge/articles/tesla-
becomes-a-model-for-sustainable-leadership-david-and-goliath-revisited/>
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The corporate social responsibility of Elon Musk. 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<http://mallenbaker.net/article/clear-reflection/the-corporate-social-
responsibility-of-elon-musk>
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