Posted: May 13th, 2018

Trident MGT599 module 4 and 5

Module 4 -HomeStrategic ChoicesRequired ReadingRefer to the required and optional reading on strategic choices, the theme of Module 4.AssignmentIn a 5- to 7-page paper, respond to the following:1) Which of the four generic (Porter) strategies does the Kraft Foods Group follow, and how do you know?2)
Integrate the strategy you’ve identified above with the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats you identified in Modules 2 and
3. Doing so should give you some specific actions the company is taking
relative to its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. These
actions are referred to as “strategic choices.” Do the Kraft Foods Group’sstrategic
choices align with the firm’s generic strategy? If not, what are the
points of disconnect? Think critically about this step, as no
company achieves perfect alignment of its strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats with its chosen strategy. It is your job to
uncover the discrepancies and problems.3) How can the Kraft Foods Group
leverage its strengths and shore up its weaknesses by altering its
strategic choices? How can the company take advantage of environmental
opportunities and minimize environmental threats by altering its
strategic choices?Be specific.4) Complete the paper by commenting on how your view of the Kraft Foods Group’svision
and mission has changed or has been reconfirmed by this process of
strategic analysis. Would you make any suggestions to revise the
company’s mission or vision statements, or any of its goals/objectives?5) Consider the Case as a formal business report that you are developing for the Board of Directors and CEO as the Kraft Foods Group’sconsultant. This is a professional document. Follow the format below:Executive summary:
This is a synopsis of the main points, conclusions, and recommendations
made in the longer report. If you would like a refresher on writing an
executive summary, check this website:.highendfinance.com/CommercialLoans/Docs/07-4%20ES%20Guidelines.doc”>https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/highendfinance.com/CommercialLoans/Docs/07-4%20ES%20Guidelines.docIntroduction:State the main purpose of the paper (thesis statement), what you hope to accomplish, and how you will go about doing it.Main Body: The “meat” of the paper. Emphasize analysis, not just description. Delineate separate topics or sections with headings.Conclusion: Summarize your paper in light of your thesis statement.Module 4 -SLPRequired ReadingIf
you are having trouble determining how to integrate the SWOT factors
with different strategies, the following two readings may help.1) The first article includes some examples of how RBV variables can be used to leverage a cost or differentiation strategy:Competitive Advantage (2007). Retrieved on November 6, 2012, from: .quickmba.com/strategy/competitive-advantage/”>https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/quickmba.com/strategy/competitive-advantage/2)
The second reading demonstrates how a cost, differentiation, or focus
strategy can help a company defend itself against Porter’s Five Forces:Porter’s Generic Strategies. (2007). Retrieved on November 6, 2012, from: .quickmba.com/strategy/generic.shtml”>https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/quickmba.com/strategy/generic.shtmlAssignmentIn this module, using the Kraft Foods Group, we will be integrating the results of our SWOT with our chosen strategy.Keys to the AssignmentStep 1: Create a 5×5 table with the four strategies listed across the top and the four SWOT variables at left as follows: Low costDifferentiation Focus PreemptiveStrengthsWeaknessesOpportunitiesThreatsStep 2: Using your work in Modules 2 and 3 as it relates to the Kraft Foods Group,
select one element from any of the analytical models we studied that
contributes to each of the four SWOT variables. For example, for
Weaknesses, you may want to choose an element from Porter’s Value Chain
(say, operations), while for Opportunities you may want to select
something from the PEST analysis (say, sociocultural factors). Select
one for Strengths and Threats as well.Step 3:Enter
the elements you have chosen with the corresponding SWOT variable.
Below, “strong competitive rivalry” has been chosen for Threats. Note
that other choices could have been high barriers to entry, high
bargaining power of suppliers or customers, high substitutability (from
Five Forces analysis), or a specific political, economic, social, or
technological factor (from PEST). Complete this process for all four
SWOT variables. Low costDifferentiation Focus PreemptiveStrengthsWeaknessesOpportunitiesThreats: Strong competitive rivalryStep 4:
This is potentially the most challenging part. Indicate the impact each
strategy might have on each SWOT factor you have chosen by offering a
business action that will address the SWOT. For example, follow the
threat “strong competitive rivalry” across all four generic strategies.
How would a low-cost strategy address an industry environment
characterized by intense rivalry? What about a differentiation strategy?
Focus? Preemptive? In other words, you are considering the same
industry threat, but addressing it differently depending on the chosen
strategy. See the example below:Low costDifferentiationFocusPreemptiveStrengthsWeaknessesOpportunitiesThreats: Strong competitive rivalryUndercut rivals on price through operational economiesBrand loyalty attracts repeat customersFind an underserved market segment that rivals are unwilling to serveBeat rivals out of the gate, establish dominant positionThus,
the strategic action you choose to fill in a given blank should do two
things: 1) offer a tactic for taking advantage of a strength or
opportunity or for managing a threat or weakness, and 2) follow the
basic thrust of the strategy in that column.Assignment ExpectationsYour paper will be evaluated on the following points:Precision – Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?Breadth – Is the full breadth of the subject (i.e., the Keys to the Assignment) addressed?Depth
– Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the
Background readings and other Background resources as references?Critical thinking – Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?Clarity
– Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding
to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of
quotations?Organization – Is the paper well written? Are the
grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work?
Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?Referencing
(citations and references) – Does the paper include citations and
quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the
Background readings and assignment present and properly cited? Are all
the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via
citation?Application – Are the concepts of the module appropriately applied to the subject?Module 5 -HomeStrategy ImplementationAssignmentIn Module 5, we will conclude the case study process by researching the Kraft Foods Group’sstrategic controls and their fit with the company’s chosen strategy.Keys to the AssignmentStep One:
Review your Case papers from Modules 1-4 so that you are familiar with
the mission, vision, SWOT, strategy, and strategic choices you have
identified over the course of the class.Step Two: Research the structure, systems, people, and culture at the Kraft Foods Group.
Use the responses you provided in the SLP as a guideline. You will not
be able to get answers to every single question, but you will need to
answer at least one or two for each component.Step Three: Write a page paper – Describe the Kraft Foods Group’sorganizational
design, key strategic control systems, primary human resources
concerns, and cultural factors, and the effect that these have had on
the implementation of the Kraft Foods Group’sstrategy.Step Four: In a 5- to 7-page paper, criticallyevaluate
the fit—or the lack of fit—between the company’s mission, strategy, and
organizational components crucial to implementation. Do these
components complement the strategy? Why or why not?Step Five: What changes would you—as the CEO—make to better assure the success of the company’s strategy?Step Six:Consider the Case as a formal business report that you are developing for the Board of Directors and CEO as the Kraft Foods Group’sconsultant. This is a professional document. Follow the format below: Executive summary:
This is a synopsis of the main points, conclusions and recommendations
made in the longer report. If you would like a refresher on writing an
executive summary, check this website:.highendfinance.com/CommercialLoans/Docs/07-4%20ES%20Guidelines.doc”>https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/highendfinance.com/CommercialLoans/Docs/07-4%20ES%20Guidelines.docIntroduction:State the main purpose of the paper (thesis statement), what you hope to accomplish, and how you will go about doing it.Main Body: The “meat” of the paper. Emphasize analysis, not just description. Delineate separate topics or sections with headings.Conclusion: Summarize your paper in the light of your thesis statement.Assignment ExpectationsModule 5 -SLPAssignmentIn
this module, we will be completing our strategic toolkit by researching
sources of information about these components as they relate
specifically to the Kraft Foods Group.Your
assignment is to find information about the following organizational
components discussed in this module as they relate specifically to the Kraft Foods Group. Do your best notto
speculate but to find factual information concerning the topical areas
below. The following list of questions may help you focus your search
(source: Obtaining information about organizational components critical
to implementation [adapted from Aaker, D.A. (2001) Developing Business
Strategies. Wiley]): StructureWhat is the organization’s structure? How decentralized or centralized is it?What are the lines of authority and communication?What are the roles of teams, committees, and task forces?SystemsHow are budgets set?How is planning done?What measures are used to evaluate performance?PeopleWhat are the skills, experience, and knowledge of the firm’s employees?What is their depth and quality?What are their attitudes about the company and their jobs?CultureWhat are the company’s values and are they widely shared and accepted by employees?What are the key norms of behavior?What are some significant symbols?What is the dominant management style?How is conflict resolved?Keys to the AssignmentStep One:
Review the questions above and do some research to see where you could
find answers to them. You may not be able to answer all of the
questions, but try to find at least one source per component that
addresses most of its characteristics.Step Two: Create a 3- to 4-page
list of sources and indicate what information each one provides for
each component. Write a word essay – Evaluate each source in terms of its objectivity,
reliability, and truthfulness.Assignment ExpectationsYour paper will be evaluated on the following points:Precision – Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?Breadth – Is the full breadth of the subject (i.e., the Keys to the Assignment) addressed?Depth
– Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the
Background reading and other Background resources as references?Critical thinking – Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?Clarity
– Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding
to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of
quotations?Organization – Is the paper well written? Are the
grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work?
Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?Referencing
(citations and references) – Does the paper include citations and
quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the
Background reading and assignment present and properly cited? Are all
the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via
citation?Application – Are the concepts of the module appropriately applied to the subject? Tips and SuggestionsModule 6 -Reflective EssayIntegration and ReflectionReflective EssayPrepare a Reflective Essayin which you address each of the following items:1. Write a page paper – Describe how you improved your knowledge, skills, abilities, and yourself in this session through this course.2. Write a word essay – Evaluate the work you did during the session for the class and explain ways you could have performed better.3.
Identify topics you did not understand or successfully implement, and
suggest how to improve the course material on those topics.4. Think of ways to measure the future effects of what you have learned in this course or your future progress/improvement.5. State whether you achieved the course outcomes (listed on the Module 6 Home page and course Syllabus page).This Reflective Essay is a required course component (although it is not part of your final grade). Upload the essay upon completion.

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