Do NOT simply provide a generic list – this is an industry analysis, not an organizational one! Provide evidence and detail – look at examples of good practice. You should not analyse the company you have been given – it is about the whole industry. You can conclude and explain which elements impact the company at the end.

Remember: you must evidence all the points you list, footnotes should only provide the references of you data – the data should go in the main body of the report.

Good sources: company annual reports and good newspapers, economist, data web sites (showing trends), euromonitor.

This analysis should be based on your SBU chosen from your list of SBUs in your intro. Make sure you clearly state which SBU you will analyse before you start this section. Apply the analysis to this SBU and make sure that you provide a conclusion for each force whether it is a weak, medium or strong force.   Conclude this section by answering ‘Is this an attractive market for existing players to remain in?’

Remember: this is not about the company it is about the SBU you choose or are told to do. Once again data to support your points is vital.

Good sources: Company annual reports, Google Finance and good quality newspapers, regulations sites and data web sites (showing trends), apps on Android or iOS

Markets – what future predictions are there for your chosen SBU and the industry? On the internet there are many prediction produced by analysts. You are asked for two lists 1) the industry predictions and 2) the SBU predictions – four predictions in each list. Remember you must include data and they MUST be FUTURE predictions – not information for this year.

CSFs – what do the customers demand from companies competing in this SBU?

Good sources: look online at the top accounting companies like E&Y, PWC and KPMG etc…. they have good industry reports and you do not need to pay, the free information they provide is enough. Also look for industry specific regulators and euromonitor.

List 5 in each section, i.e. 5 opportunities and 5 threats.

Remember: each item listed has come from your own external analysis PESTLE, five forces, markets and CSFs. It is good practice to show where each one has come from – using footnotes and once again you could add the page number of where it has come from.

Good sources: your own external analysis – nothing else!

a)     Description of strategy/-ies adopted to date.

b)    Discussion of the key issues relating to the future of the company including conclusions whether the organization, its strategies and business model are strongly or weakly positioned to deal with these issues.

To achieve this:

i)               Explain where the SBU or the analysed company is located on Bowman’s strategic clock.

ii)             Explain what strategies they employ by using the Ansoff matrix and its terminology to help you.

iii)            Explain how they execute these strategies.

iv)            Determine what parental role top management takes –portfolio, synergy or developer?

v)             What international strategies does the company use?

vi)            Is the BCG Matrix useful?

Use the Ansoff matrix again to help you identify what type of strategy it is. Explain how, where and what you will do to achieve it – don’t just list generic items. The language you use is very important here and throughout your report. Also use your strengths and weaknesses section and your opportunities and threats section. Does your strategy take advantage of a strength of yours or an opportunity you identified in the market? Or maybe it eliminates a weakness or a threat?

FULL description of recommended strategies– this is where you really sell your strategies. Use your future market predictions to help you. We would expect a good half a page for this.

Remember: use your market predictions to help you sell the winning strategy.

– Key issues in implementing the strategy

– Risk assessment and risk management

Make sure you use the correct “risk terminology” in this section, refer to your lecture notes.