APPLE INC.

– Introduction and Problem Statement (1.5-2 pages) 

Introduction: 

Under the first heading of Introduction, write an introduction/ overview of a company listed on the stock exchange (check to be sure they have annual reports available online). Describe the company and their product(s)/service(s), a brief history, their vision and mission (if they do not have formal statements describe what you feel they might be) the industry they are in, their size (sales, income, number of employees), and your perception of their competitive advantage(s). State what the company’s goal may be ($xx sale for the coming year, for instance, or a certain percentage of profit).

Problem Statement: 

After doing background reading on the company, write a Problem Statement consisting of a single sentence describing a problem at the organization (it can be related to marketing, operations, finances, personnel). State the problem in a sentence : The problem at xxx is xxxx. Provide a short background about the problem.

– Strategic Analysis Part 1 (1-1.5 pages) 

Strategic Analysis: 

Under the heading Strategic Analysis, describe and justify the use of three (or more) strategic tools that you could (and probably will) apply to help solve or improve the problem you have selected and why you feel each of those tools is appropriate. At least one of the three tools must consider financial data with at least one formula from Dyer et al (2016, pp. 302-304). Additionally, describe at least two tools that you considered but will not use and why. This is a total of 5 (or more) tools that you will have reviewed. A handout in this unit lists some possible tools as does Appendix A in the main text (Dyer et al, 2016, p. 292-301) (pages attached)

Strategic Analysis Part 2 (6-8 pages of body) 

Strategic Analysis: 

Under sub headings containing the tool name (under the main heading Strategic Analysis), develop a strategic analysis using three or more tools. At the end of each tool’s analysis conclude with a summary of how the information relates to the problem identified. 

– Strategic Analysis Alternatives (2-4 pages) 

Under a main heading Alternatives, develop a list of options. Feel free to include those that maybe “far fetched” without judging them. Note: ‘Do nothing’ is often an alternative, but will not be the chosen alternative in next week’s Recommendations section (after all if they should do nothing, then there really is not a problem!). 

There should be multiple alternatives/options for actions to solve the problem (3-8 is typical). Evaluate the alternatives by considering if the company can afford it; whether it will evoke a response from competitors; how employees/customers/ stakeholders are likely to view the change; and how the alternative fits with organizational culture, vision, mission and goals. 

– Strategic Analysis Recommendations (1-2 pages) 

Select one or more alternatives that your analysis supports as being a good solution for your company’s problem. Describe exactly what the company needs to do. 

Explain why this course of action will solve your stated problem. Include suggestions on how to best implement the alternative(s) you have chosen. Check the recommendations against the problem you identified; be sure the recommendation “fits” the problem. 

Add a paragraph in which you express your opinion: how likely is it that the organization would be successful implementing your recommendations? 

– Conclusion