Archive for category: Business paper

This is a paper that is focusing on the BCO324 Cases in Marketing in an organizational case study. The paper also provides additional information to use in writing the assignment paper.

The BCO324 Cases in Marketing in an organizational case study

BCO324 Cases in Marketing
Assignment Purpose
Firstly, to learn how to distinguish and articulate a critical issue(s) in an organization. Each case study will concentrate on a specific issue critical to the organization you will be working with.
Secondly, to learn how to research this issue, including questioning of participating parties and developing conflicting analytical positions and alternatives. Case studies are meant to be mimetic of real situations.
Thirdly, to deepen your knowledge and understanding of course concepts by applying principles you have learned while dealing with issues of newly emerging data.
Fourthly, to develop the ability to exercise judgment and discretion as you manipulate the flow of information necessary to producing the best teaching product for potential future readers and users of your case study.

Instructions and Grading Criteria
The document should be 2,500 words maximum and address the following points listed below.
Additionally, student must develop a case study analysing a real marketing problem situation where existing problem need to be solved. It should relate the theory to a practical situation;

Synopsis/Executive Summary
Outline the purpose of the case study.
Describe the field of research.
Outline the issues and also findings of the case study without the specific details.
Identify the theory that will be used

Findings
• Identify the problems found in the case by: analysing the problem, supporting your findings
with facts given in the case, the relevant theory and course concepts.
searching for the underlying problems

Discussion
Summarise the major problem/s.
Identify alternative solutions to this/these major problem/s.
Briefly outline each alternative solution and evaluate its advantages and also disadvantages

You will participate in a business simulation exercise (“Business Game”) based on the European Car Industry.  The purpose of the exercise is to give you the opportunity to use the learning from the four functional areas (marketing, finance, human resources and operations management) to simulate the setting up and running of a business which is competing for market share.

Participate in a business simulation exercise (“Business Game”)

You will participate in a business simulation exercise (“Business Game”) based on the European Car Industry.  The purpose of the exercise is to give you the opportunity to use the learning from the four functional areas (marketing, finance, human resources and operations management) to simulate the setting up and running of a business which is competing for market share.

In Week 5, you will attend an introductory lecture which will explain the objectives of the simulation and the process for making decisions.  In the seminars, which begin in Week 6, you will be divided into teams of 5-6 students.  Each team has to set up a car manufacturing company, design two cars and sell these to the market.  The teams within each seminar group will compete with one another for market share.  The objective for each team is to maximise the shareholder value of their company at the end of four decision rounds – Week 11.

Information on the market together with cost data will be posted on Bb in Week 5.  Each team should read this information carefully and use it to establish a business strategy.  In Weeks 7 to11 the teams will make a set of decisions each week to be submitted online.  The results, in the form of computer-generated reports, will be available online later in the week.

The Business Game seminars in Weeks 7-10 will take the form of shareholder meetings.  Each team will make a short presentation reviewing the performance of their company in the previous round and identifying key areas where the performance and management of the business can be improved.

In order to complete the assessment detailed below, it is essential that each student keeps a detailed record of the team meetings, the decisions made, the rationale for these decisions and their own role as a member of the team.  Non-attendance at seminars will be penalise.

Each team will submit a group report on the Round 1 decisions with the following sections:

Firstly, Peer assessment form with the names and signatures of all team members (see final page of this brief).  [10%]

Secondly, The team’s business plan for Round 1 (word limit 1,500 words) as follows: [60%]

Mission statement – what is the purpose of your company?
Business Objectives – measurable targets for the end of Round 4 (e.g. market share)
Chosen market segments with brief descriptions of target customers and your marketing strategy
Your competitive strategy – why will people buy your cars rather than those from other companies?
The rationale underlying the choices of designs, options and R&D
Additionally, The rationale for the prices charged for each car
Finally, The rationale for production/HRM decisions such as investment in automation

3.     An appendix containing minutes of the team meetings that took place up to the submission of the Round 1 Decision.  These should show attendance, topics discussed, an outline of the team discussion of each topic, the decisions made (and how they were made) and actions agreed.  As a guide, each meeting is likely to require at least one full A4 page. [30%]

Choose a product or service that you connect with as a consumer. Explain how the company has used the consumer decision process model to effectively market the product or service to you.

Choose a product or service that you connect with as a consumer

Each student will write a marketing paper (max 3 pages, formatted in Word, font Times New Roman 12, double spaced) that addresses one of these topics below.

Option 1) Situational analysis (includes a SWOT analysis).

Choose a product or service. Identify at least two significant factors for each of the four SWOT components. Provide specific information for controllable aspects (the marketing mix) as well as all uncontrollable environments.  For example, is the company doing a good job promoting its services? Regarding uncontrollable factors: what part(s) of the economy (GNP, inflation, interest rates, unemployment, etc) affect the company and why? Are there political/cultural/regulatory affectations?

Option 2) The consumer decision process model

Choose a product or service that you connect with as a consumer. Explain how the company has used the consumer decision process model to effectively market the product or service to you.

Be sure to discuss:

(1) firstly, detail the strategy based on the model.

(2) secondly, explain why the strategy was successful for you as a consumer.

(3) thirdly, judge how the company should move into the future.

(4) finally, explain the decision-making process you experienced as a consumer when choosing this product or service.

Option 3) STP for a new product.  

Put yourself in the position of an entrepreneur who is developing a new product or service to introduce into the market. Briefly describe the product. Then develop the segmentation, targeting, and position strategy for marketing the new product.

Be sure to discuss:

(1) firstly, the overall strategy; why segmenting, targeting, and position are useful methodologies.

(2) secondly, segmentation and targeting choices.

(3) thirdly, characteristics of the target market.

(4) fourthly, why that target market is attractive.

(5) finally, the positioning strategy.
Provide justifications, in the form of research, for your decisions and include your textbook and at least three external references in addition to the textbook. Put your in-text citations and references in APA Style. Again, you will need to choose ONE topic; do not do all assignments.

This is a paper that is focusing on the Samsung organization’s competitive positioning. The paper also provides additional requirements to follow in writing the assignment paper in detail.

The Samsung organization’s competitive positioning

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW Today’s managers develop and communicate a vision for the organization. They focus on the big picture and identify needs and opportunities in order to establish strategic priorities. Strategic managers develop policies that are critical to the success of the company and make the achievement of goals both manageable and attainable. They understand how to allocate resources so that they are fully optimized. Conduct a strategic audit to present an analysis of the organization’s strategic direction, policies, procedures, and processes to determine its competitive positioning within the industry.

ORGANIZATION = Samsung ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS Part 1—Organizational Competitive Positioning Analysis 1. Firstly, write an analysis paper describing your organization’s competitive positioning. 2. Secondly, describe the organization’s current situation by identifying the following: • Mission Statement • Vision / Objective • Customer’s needs and / or demands • Current strategies and policies • Corporate governance approach / structure (i.e. board of directors, flat structure, governing body) 3. Thirdly, describe the organization’s capabilities by performing the following analysis. • Include the analysis results as a chart or figure in your paper. o SWOT o GE 9 Cell Assessment 4. Fourthly, identify and briefly describe the current technological and innovative approaches that contribute to the organization’s competitive positioning. 5. Describe your organization’s future strategic goals. 6. Discuss your assumptions about your organization’s current position

The Samsung organization’s competitive positioning

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS Part 1— Organizational Competitive Positioning Analysis. Description of the organization’s current situation. Description of the organization’s capabilities. Identification and description of the current technological and innovative approaches that contribute to the organization’s competitive positioning. Description of the organization’s future strategic goals. Discussion of YOUR personal assumptions about the organization’s current position SCOPE • Citation requirements o Minimum of 3 • Word count (excluding title and reference page): o Part 1 – (850-1000) • APA formatting o Title page o Reference Page • Plagiarism submission

This is a paper that is focusing on How can procurement function improve external turbulence in markets. The paper also provides additional details to use in writing the assignment paper.

How can procurement function improve external turbulence in markets

A proactive strategic procurement operation can give the organisation it represents a competitive advantage by reducing waste in the value chain. For an organisation of your choice, you are asked (a) to critically examine the Procurement function, (b) by considering 2-3 areas below investigate how the Procurement function can be improved and compensate external turbulences in the markets.

Procurement Strategy
Strategic Sourcing and Outsourcing
e-procurement
Sustainable Procurement
Supply Risk
Scope
You will also need to take the following into account when completing your assignment:
Quality of executive summary (does it give a brief complete summary of your paper for an executive to read?)
Establishment of relevant theory (e.g. what do we mean by global sourcing?)
Allocation of credit and sources used (have I included references and citations to the material I have used?)
Clarity of argument (clarity of the focus of the paper
Overall report presentation including spelling and grammar
Adherence to nominated word limit (+/- 10%)
Word processed (letter size 12, times new roman, 1.5 space), fully referenced (Harvard Referencing System)

How can procurement function improve external turbulence in markets

Assessed intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding
Firstly, demonstrate an understanding of the importance of procurement for global organisations operating in complex market environments.
Secondly, locate, synthesise and critically evaluate recent/current information from a wide range of published literature in the area of Procurement, Risk, and Contract Management.
Thirdly, apply knowledge of the theory and practice of Procurement, Risk, and Contract Management to develop insights into and solve current problems.
Fourthly, critically evaluate the use of complex models of Procurement, Risk, and Contract Management; systematically and creatively making sound judgements based on the systematic analysis and creative synthesis of ideas.
Also, critically and effectively assess the value of theories, concepts and models to the practice of Procurement, Risk, and Contract Management.
Demonstrate a sound understanding of the importance of risk management in the development and also maintenance of sustainable procurement.