Strategic Implications for an Organization - Questions 1-5

Discuss how the practice of strategy categorises these factors and identify the strategic implications for the organisation in question. 

Identify a strategic course of action that can be adopted by the organisation you have chosen. Present a statement of the strategic goals the firm should set, and their implication on the organisation.

Over the duration of the course, you are to monitor news and online sources of opinion to identify three (3) separate strategic influences that together impact on the outcomes of an organisation of your choice. These influential factors may be local, national or international in nature, but they must represent a changing Analysis evolving story. For example, advances in battery technology, stricter emission controls, and a general move towards sustainable energy has resulted in General Motors (and indeed almost all car manufacturers) actively marketing electric or hybrid models for release in coming years. Note this example is not to be used in your submission.

You are to discuss how the practice of strategy categorises these strategic influences, and identify the implications for the organisation in question.

Drawing upon your understanding of theories, models and frameworks discussed in class, you are to identify a strategic course of action to address these circumstances (by either capitalising on positive influences, or minimising the impact of negative influence) in a way that will result in long-term benefit to the organisation. This should include a statement of the firm’s revised goals as a result of this change in strategy.

Nominate the preferred strategy option and apply a strategy framework(s) to analyse and justify why you believe it is the best strategy option; and

Discuss the implications specifically relating to your part of the business, and what challenges these might represent. Separate the discussion into short-term and long-term issues.

a) General Manager (GM) of the company The GM has the final accountability to the CEO. The GM takes responsibility of the of the company’s successes and failures of the company. The GM brings together the different functions in the company (HR, Finance, Operations, etc.) and the interests of all the stakeholders. A key issue for the GM is to maximise shareholder value and the long-term sustainability of the company.

b) General Manager of key supplier Obviously, the GM of the supplier has the same responsibilities in his company as the GM of the case company below. The supplier is in the business of supplying goods and services which the case company requires. The successes and failures of the supplier company are linked to the successes and failures of the case company.

c) Union official General responsibility of the Union official is to represent the interest of workers. It also includes conflict resolution between the employer and the workers and bargaining of behalf of workers. It goes without saying that the workers would want the company to be financially sustainable while they receive appropriate remuneration.

d) Operations manager (OM) The general responsibilities of the OM are to ensure that productions of goods and services is running efficiently. Therefore, the role includes both planning and implementing production/manufacturing schedules including material and energy inputs among other things. The OM understands the feasibility of attaining certain production levels and quality of products/services. e) Senior finance manager (SFM) The general responsibilities of the finance manager are to ensure that the company is financially sound. Therefore, the finance manager plans the long and short-term allocation of resources as well as produce financial reports. For example, the SFM would be interested in issues such as risk, capital availability, likely timing and amount of returns, etc.