MGT599 Strategic Management

Module 3 – Home

  

Module 3 – Case

Internal Analysis and SWOT Analysis

 

Assignment  

The completion of an internal profile can be an extensive undertaking, requiring far more time and resources than we have for this course. So—as in prior modules—limit your analysis to the identification and evaluation of one or two key items in each element of the model, as described in the Background reading and as enumerated in the SLP for this module.

Keys to the Assignment 

Step One: Conduct a critical and thorough internal analysis of the Kraft Foods Group, assessing as many of the company’s internal strengths and weaknesses as you can. Incorporate the results of your RBV analysis from the SLP exercise into your discussion. Also, consider the operations, customer service, finance, human resources management, and marketing functions. See the following website, as it will help you decide which strengths and weaknesses you might wish to evaluate:http://www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm

Step Two:  In a 5- to 7-page paper, present the results of your internal analysis, leading to conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses facing the Kraft Foods Group as revealed by your analysis. 

Step Three: Synthesize your internal analysis with your external environmental analysis (from Module 2) and complete an overall SWOT analysis. In essence, you are to recommend—based on your SWOT—specifically what the company should do. Give your overall analysis—does the company have more strengths than weaknesses? More weaknesses than strengths? Whatever you decide, you need to recommend (with explanations) a company strategy—in response to your collective assessment of the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Step Four: Consider the Case as a formal business report that you are developing for the Board of Directors and CEO as theKraft Foods Group’s consultant. 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: http://www.highendfinance.com/CommercialLoans/Docs/07-4%20ES%20Guidelines Introduction: 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 withsection headings.Conclusion: Summarize your paper in the light of your thesis statement.Module 3 – SLP AssignmentIn this SLP, you will be completing a modified RBV analysis of the Kraft Foods Group. You will incorporate this information into your Case analysis for this module.Note: Throughout this course, you should complete the SLP before you undertake the Case analysis.  Before you begin the SLP, read the Background materials thoroughly. Keys to the AssignmentStep One:  Resources are the inputs into a production process. They can be capital, equipment, patents, skill sets of individual employees and/or managers, financial resources, etc. Resources can be tangible or intangible. Individually, they may not necessarily lead to a competitive advantage—it is how they are used and the synergies they create that make them strategically valuable. Present as much information as you can find about the following as it relates to the Kraft Foods Group:Tangible Resources  1. Physical Resources2. Financial Resources3. Human Resources4. Other Intangible Resources1. Technical Resources 2. Intellectual Resources3. Goodwill4. Other (cultural, reputational, strategic alliances)Step Two: Distinctive capabilities are those competencies possessed by a firm that cannot be copied or can be replicated only with great difficulty or resources. Determine the distinctive capabilities of the Kraft Foods Group as it relates to as many of the following as you can:1) Architecture2) Reputation3) Innovation Step Three: Provide the above information in a 4-page paper (not including cover page or references).