BACKGROUND STORY

You are a professional business practitioner; you have been working in a company/business/enterprise for more than 10 years. You have a good salary and your partner is also a working professional. You also have financial commitments for bank loans, personal loans, car loan, and others.

Your position at the company looks promising but you always felt that you have more potential as well as creative ideas which you always demonstrated during project developments in the company as well as coming up with new initiatives which were sometime disregarded and others were taken seriously. Having said that, you always felt that you were not happy with your work because of the limitations in your contribution to the decision-making process in the company. You had many thoughts about “What I am doing here???” and you always had the wish that you can be making decisive decisions because of your confidence that your ideas will influence the overall productivity and profitability of the company. You also felt that you have considerable experience in leadership as you have successfully been leading a small group of people in the business development department at the company.

Lately, you have been discussing with your partner (who also is a professional working in an accounting company in the city) your “dream” of starting your own entrepreneurial business. You spent many hours discussing and assessing the pros and cons of you leaving your job and start your own venture. You realized during these discussions that you have only $35,000 as a start-up sum as well as what will happen to the entire financial obligation that you currently have.

You finally decided with your partner that you will go ahead with your plan. This means you leave your secure job, or both of you will leave your secure jobs or any other decision.

Overview of the Assignment

Length: Approximately 4000 words, including charts, pictures or tables (but excluding references).

– The formal assignment is to produce a complete business plan based on the story above.

– Choose any relatively small product/service company, but it is suggested that you should make your selection carefully and check that there is plenty of information in the public domain on your selected business before commencing (It is recommended that you consult with the lecturer if you are in doubt)

– It will be in your best interest to choose a business that has only a few products so that you do not have to expend too much time on product descriptions.

– Research information on the web, in books, financial newspapers (the library has a collection) and biographies (think about famous contemporary manufacturing leaders such as Richard Branson and Bill Gates).

– You may wish to use a Business Plan structure to address the relevant issues

– Marks will be given for presentation, clarity and demonstration of a breadth of study through suitable referencing, as well as information content.

• Final Report will attract a 10% penalty out of 100% per working day late.

You might need to consider the below structure:

The Venture
• The history of the business and its major products or services.
• The main successes factors of the business (you might want to look at competitors' success/failure ventures).
• What the major failures of the business would be and why.
• What kind of organisation it is and how it will be managed.
• What are your services/products?
• Who are the competitors to the business?
• How you see the business developing in the future.
• What are the main strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats of your venture?
• How the business might be developed to maintain good management and leadership style.
• Why would this new product/service be needed?
• What is the approach by which the product/service could be brought into the market (for example through collaboration with other businesses)?
• What are the benefits of the product/service over other competitive products and of the selected approach?
• What is the major competition to the product/service and the key risks associated with launching it?
• Apply financials where relevant.

IMPORTANT: You must make sure that you include the followings in your final report:

1- How did you reach the decision with your partner?
2- What were the considerations you had to take in making your decision?
3- What financial help you got? How? From where? How much? And why?
4- Your business plan and marketing plan?
5- Your financial plan?
6- Finally, make sure that you submit a complete business venture which is ready to start

Report Proposal

Company

Author

Date

Abstract
State company selected, come up with an organisational structure and describe the key products. State any overarching issues and-or most significant points in your report.

Body of Report
Decide how you will organise this – there are many ways in which you might present the information you are being asked for. It will include your literature survey/background, your research methodology, your results and a discussion of your results including any omissions.

Conclusion
Remember your employer will be using this document both to help through the interview process and later as a spring-board for change management. Include comments on further or future work, for example other services you might offer or other research you might do on related topics which would be useful.

Timeline
Your proposed timeline for completing the project

A few helpful hints for bringing product/service to the market

Given a product or a service, Kotler suggests the STP framework (segmentation, targeting and positioning process) which includes the following procedure for bringing the product/service to the market (note that Kotler assumes the market exists).
1. Analyse long-run opportunities in the market
2. Research and select target markets
3. Identify segmentation variables and segment the market
4. Develop profiles of resulting segments
5. Evaluate the attractiveness of each segment
6. Select the target segment(s)
7. Identify possible positing concepts for each target segment
8. Select, develop, and communicate the chosen positing concept
9. Design marketing strategies
10. Plan marketing programs
11. Organise, implement and control marketing effort

Structure for the Project

You must adhere to the following structure when preparing your project

1. Introduction
a) Executive summary – complete this after you has finished your report. This should end up being about 1-2 pages (double spaced) with only a bare minimum of historical and product/service information. It should summarize your suggested objectives and strategy.
b) Scope of discussion – what you will be addressing and what you won't be addressing
c) Research Approach – what methods will you be employing to gather your information (annual reports, articles, journals, etc.)

2. Company
a) Brief overview of company and the relevant products
• Try to keep this as brief as possible as the strategic operatives are more important than the founding fathers (for this paper.)
b) Potential competitors historically relevant initiatives
• Successful initiatives
• Failed initiatives
c) Goals and Objectives
• State the company's goals and objectives – at some point in the paper where you feel it is appropriate (possibly prior to the conclusion) you will need to review each point with your opinion of whether or not these objectives are realistic and/or how they will/can be achieved

3. SWOT, PEST and DEMAND Analysis
• This should be as detailed as possible as it can be the impetus for further dialogue. I suggest that you bullet point this in a grid then address the larger points in a narrative form.
• The PEST analysis is a good way in which to address Industry Trends.

4. Business Strategy
a) What market are you addressing?
b) Who are your potential customers?
c) What will you use as your selling points? Will you try to be the cost leader? Focus on your uniqueness? Or a combination of both?

5. Competitors
• Look at the competitors the same way you would look at your own company. This will give you an indication of where you may have a competitive advantage.

6. International Strategy
• Is an international move feasible? If so, how? (Strategic alliances, joint ventures, etc.)

7. Available Options (e-commerce, traditional business, brick and click etc.)
• After reviewing the above, you should have a few strategies in mind:
i. State these strategies
ii. List advantages & disadvantages of each
iii. State benefits and “costs” of each option
iv. State which strategy/strategies that you recommend and what the next course of action should be.

Attachment:- Project Report Format.rar

Assessment – Case Study Report

Learning Outcomes a) Describe and evaluate the objectives, aims and the primary aspects of a strategic plan whilst taking into account the vision and mission of the organisation.
b) Discuss and evaluate the processes and forces that influence the strategic decision-making process in relation to business strategy.
c) Explain the significance of strategy as a means of identifying and realising opportunities for growth.
d) Analyse the managerial, planning and procedural tasks associated with implementing and executing organisational strategies and identify the key risks associated with this process.
e) Prepare and justify a strategic plan.
f) Demonstrate an ability to think strategically about an organisation, its position in the marketplace and how it can gain a sustainable competitive advantage.

Context:

You are a strategic analyst for a management consulting firm that specialises in the analysis of Australian organisations. Your task is to write a report based on a case study of an Australian corporation. You are to use the framework models of strategic management, in order to evaluate the environment the organisation operates within and its mission goals and strategic choices. Additionally, you will provide some recommendations that both support and critique the strategic direction the organisation has chosen to pursue.

Instructions:

This assessment requires that you write a report on one of the following organisations:

Telstra

Over the past few years, Telstra, Australia's largest provider of telecommunications services, has faced increasing competition from domestic and overseas providers. Rapid changes in technology, consumer behaviour, and the introduction of the NBN (National Broadband Network) have become a catalyst for the organisation to change its approach to both customer service and product innovation. Pressure to deliver returns to shareholders are ever-increasing; formulating and delivering a successful strategy is critical

Westpac

The Australian banking environment is dominated by a small number of large banks. In the last few years, the banking industry has come under increasing pressure from the government and public, due to the high levels of profit that they report. This has culminated in a government investigation into the industry which is currently underway. Westpac has an innovative strategy which embraces digital technology and a dedicated focus on customer service. Westpac has also led the industry in community banking and sustainability initiatives.

Woolworths Group

Woolworths Group is a large integrated provider of retail and leisure. Best known for their supermarket operations, they have faced strong competition over the last few years from the Australian incumbent, Coles, as well as new overseas entrants such as Aldi and Costco. Woolworths has recently had a change in chief executive officer (CEO), following a profit downgrade and a failed attempt at entering the DIY retail business with their Masters Home Improvement stores. They are facing increased pressure on profit margins and their strategic direction.

To prepare for this assessment, the following steps are advised:

Step 1 – Read the subject materials for modules 1 to 4 (weeks 1 to 8).
Step 2 – Decide which of the three organisations you will choose as the case study for your report by reading the relevant parts of their websites, annual reports and other media sources.
Step 3 – Undertake additional research on the organisation you choose as well as source- relevant journal articles that will help you in writing your report.

A suggested structure for your report is as follows:

Executive Summary (150 words)

Table of contents (not included in word count)

1. Introduction (100 words)
2. Evaluating the organisation's environment (550 words)
a. External – use Porter and the most relevant 2 elements of PESTEL, (not required to use each one).
b. Internal – use core competencies and value chain analysis.
3. Analysis of competitive advantage (200 words)
a. Discuss competitive rivalry
4. Strategy formulation and choice (550 words)
a. Vision
b. Goals
c. Initiatives – cost leadership vs differentiation
5. Recommendations and conclusions (450 words – write this section in ‘first' person)
a. With rationale for support of strategy
b. With rationale for critique of strategy Reference List (not included in word count) Appendices (not included in word count)
Please note the following additional information:

You should adhere to the correct use of academic writing, presentation and grammar. You should write the report in the third person apart from the recommendations section which you should write in the first person.
You are advised to include a minimum of 7 academic references which should be textbooks or journals. Appropriate websites may be used in addition to these.
It is important to check your similarity in Turnitin. All highlighted sentences must be either paraphrased in your own words or put in quotes and referenced accordingly. You should be aiming for as low a similarity score as you can. Similarities highlighted in a contents page, reference list or appendices is nothing to be concerned about.
It is important to adopt the appropriate use of the APA 6th edition style when citing and referencing research. Please comply with all academic standards of legibility, referencing and bibliographical details (including reference list).

Background

This assignment requires you to perform inferential techniques (based on Lectures and Tutorials in Weeks 7 and 8) on the Kwuntongcorp dataset and then report on your findings.

There are two(2)parts to this assignment:

Part1:Data Analysis (calculations done by hand, with help from Excel)

Part2:A reply to Mary Kohli's memorandum addressing her questions and demonstrating how you have reached your conclusions.

The assignment is to be completed in groups of two or three. Groups are only to be comprised of students from the same class.

Scenario

As for Assignment 1, you are playing the role of Anil Kumble, Senior Analyst at Kwuntongcorp. Mary Kohli, Human Resources Manager at Kwuntongcorp, has written to you again regarding the Kwuntongcorp dataset. Her memorandum is reproduced below. The basis for your analysis is again the file “Kwuntongcorp.xlsx”.

For Attention:                   Anil Kumble, Senior Analyst                                                                                        25/4/2016

From:                             Mary Kohli, Human Resources Manager

Regarding:                       Further analysis of dataset

Dear Anil

Thank you for your earlier responses. In order for me to finalise the employee profile required by senior management, I need the following information.

1. An estimate of :

a. the mean salary for ALL Kwuntongcorp employees.

b. the proportion of ALL Kwuntongcorp employees who are (very and moderately) satisfied with their job.

2. The mean salary across the industry is $28,500. Senior management claims that our employees earn more than the industry average. Check the validity of this claim.

3. Senior management also believes that the proportion of (moderately and very) satisfied employees is at least 92%.Isthis true?

4. Is there is a significant difference in the mean salary of ALL male and ALL female employees?

5. I am concerned that a sample of 450 Kwuntongcorp employees may not provide us with very accurate estimates. For future surveys, what sample size would be needed in order to be able to estimate :

a. the mean salary for ALL Kwuntongcorp employees to within $900, with 95% confidence?
b. the proportion of ALL Kwuntongcorp employees who are (very and moderately) satisfied with their job to within 2%, with 95% confidence?

I look forward to your response.

Regards
Mary Wong

ACTIVITIES

Part 1 : ANALYSIS

You will need to apply techniques you have learned/will learn during lectures and tutorials in Weeks7 and 8.You will also need to use the results of your assignment 1 analysis as the basis for your answers to assignment 2.

NOTE : For all confidence intervals and related calculations you can assume that a 95% confidence level is appropriate. For hypothesis tests a 5% level of significance (α = 0.05) is appropriate.

Part 2: RESPONSE TO MARY

This should be in the form of a memorandum(as for Assignment 1).

GUIDELINES

The HR Manager has asked for a number of tasks to be done. The following guide lines for each question should be followed:

1.  (a) An estimate of the mean salary for ALL Kwuntongcorp employees.

You will need to calculate an estimate of the mean salary for ALL Kwuntongcorp employees.
You will need to be able to interpret your result as demonstrated in the relevant lecture and tutorial.

HINT: The Week 7 lecture and tutorial may be helpful.

1.   (b) The proportion of ALL Kwuntongcorp employees who are (very and moderately) satisfied with their job.

You will need to first determine the relevant sample proportion from your data then calculate the estimate of the proportion of ALL Kwuntongcorp employees who are(very and moderately) satisfied with their job.

HINT: The Week7 lecture and tutorial may be helpful.

2.  The mean salary in this industry is $28,500. Senior management claims that Kwuntongcorp employees earn more than the industry average. Check the validity of this claim.

You will need to test senior management's claim using the appropriate technique.
You will need to be able to interpret your result as demonstrated in the lecture and tutorial.

HINT: The Week 8 lecture and tutorial may be helpful.

3.  Senior Management also believes that the proportion of (moderately and very) satisfied employees is at least 92% . Is this true?

You will need to test if senior management's claim is true by using the appropriate technique.
You will need to be able to interpret your result as demonstrated in the lecture and tutorial.

HINT: The Week 8 lecture and tutorial may be helpful.

4.   Is there a significant difference in the mean salary between ALL male and ALL female employees?

You will need to find out if there is a significant difference in the mean salary between ALL male and ALL female employees.
You will need to be able to interpret your result as demonstrated in the relevant lecture and tutorial, depending on which approach you have chosen.

HINT: The Week 7 lecture and tutorial may be helpful.

5.   I am concerned that a sample of 450 Kwuntongcorp employees may not provide us with very accurate estimates. For future surveys, what sample size would be needed in order to be able to estimate etc.–?

You will need to calculate required sample sizes to meet the specifications described in Q5a and Q5b.
HINT: The Week 7 lecture and tutorial may be helpful.

Management Perspectives Assignment –

Learning Outcomes –

Critically analyse the roles, functions that managers perform and discuss the challenges and risks they have to address in today's changing organisations.

Discuss the impact of values, ethics and diversity on the culture of an organisation and the role, behavior and performance of managers within that organisation.

The assessment suite in this subject is designed to provide students with a framework to understand organisational behaviour, politics and the dynamics of the business environment. The assessment suite aims to equip students with the necessary skills to understand the constraints managers and emerging leaders face in developing strategies to leverage advantages and overcome constraints and barriers in organisations.

Instructions:

Students will individually draw up a case study report on their own organisation, or an organisation of their choice. The case study will demonstrate an understanding of organisational theory including organisational ethics and ethical practice. The case study report should include:

a rationale for the research methodology and organisational theory utilised including comparisons with alternative theory;

utilisation of appropriate research strategies;

a critical examination of the role of ethics and ethical practice relevant to the chosen organisation;

a discussion of the role and legitimacy of the management function and how it is impacted by politics and the social environment;

incorporating the use of qualitative analysis; and

incorporating the use of several high-quality external sources.

The report is to be limited to 2000 words, exclusive of formal document sections (i.e. title page, executive summary, table of contents, references list, appendices, etc.), citations, tables and graphs.

There are a number of forms the report could take. The exact form of the report will depend on the additional research the student will undertake; students should aim for the demonstration of deep learning, founded on theory through thorough reading of scholarly literature, rather than on getting any aspect of the brief 'right.'