Macro-Environmental Factors for Watches of Switzerland: Briefing Note

This assessment is based on the FTSE listed firm Watches of Switzerland. The scenario is that you are a graduate working in the Business Planning and Intelligence unit and you have been asked to provide a briefing note, template provided, for the CEO to discuss the macro-environmental factors that they and the board of directors will need to consider over the next 12 -24 months.

This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:

LO1: Obtain and interpret information relevant to an analysis of a firm's business environment.

LO2: Assess the impact of government on the structure and operation of a business organisation.

LO3: Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of changes in the business environment on business organisation and activity.

Task requirements

This assessment is based on the FTSE listed firm Watches of Switzerland. The scenario is that you are a graduate working in the Business Planning and Intelligence unit and you have been asked to provide a briefing note, template provided, for the CEO to discuss the macro-environmental factors that they and the board of directors will need to consider over the next 12 -24 months.

Some theoretical and global economic indicators you may want to include are:

• Inflation
• Global economic growth (GDP)
• Major currency exchange rates
• Supply & Demand
• Elasticity of demand
• Share price, dividend performance, Price earnings ratio, market capitalization, cash on hand and reserves
• Firm performance benchmarking

It is vital that you demonstrate wider reading around the subject area, using contemporary journals to support your assignment. However, we do not expect to see any Wikipedia, Investopedia, Slide Share,‘Essay Mill’, Term Papers or other spurious non-academic non-reputable sources within your work or in the reference list.

The briefing note will need to include the following:

• Contextual Background – You should identify the recent changes in the luxury watch market and firm performance. Feel free to use charts, graphs and tables to aid your work, these are not included in the 500-word count.
• Key Issues – List the 3 key issues and rank them according to the metric options provided on the briefing template.
• Global Macro-Environmental Factors Critical Discussion Points – This is the major part of the work that should comprise approximately 50-60% of the word count. Here you must critically discuss what each of the 3 critical factors means to the firm and what the directors be aware of going forward? Note you are not required to make recommendations within this briefing note.
• Resources and References Used – List the sources of evidence used to build your evidence-based argument in Harvard format. The reference list is not included in the word count. Relevant theoretical approaches, case studies and models should be used throughout the assignment. Further Information The readership for the report will be internal management & directors so the report should be written in the rd person and spell-checked and proof-read before submission. You can assume the reader will understand the business workings and will not require any theoretical models explaining to them.

Suggested Briefing Note Content & Word Count

Note the briefing paper should focus on the key issues only and not cover everything you have discovered from your secondary research. You have 1 page at the end of the briefing note to populate with any completed models you used.

1. Contextual background - 100 words (+ tables, charts and graphs)
2. Key Issues List – Not included in word count
3. Global Macro-Environmental Factors Critical Discussion Points – 400 words
4. Resources and References Used – Not included in word count

Please ensure you use relevant academic sources in the form of models, theories, and cases to support your report. Your report should follow the Harvard Business Referencing format.

Have you read and understood the assessment criteria?

Have you met the learning outcomes? You will lose marks and your work may even be failed if you have not.

Have you demonstrated you can think and write critically in the completed work?

Have you maintained an appropriate tone throughout your work? Is your work formal, focused, developed and clear?

Have you checked that the referencing in your assignment is in line with your programme requirements?

Have you proof-read your work and used spellcheck software to check your spelling and grammar?

Have you checked the presentation of your work is as specified by your tutor, for example, are

font size, colour, style, line spacing and margins as the tutor specified? Have you kept to the word count (or equivalent)? If you are not sure, check with your tutor. Can you confirm that the work submitted is your own and maintains academic integrity?