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Principles of managementTouchstone 4: Organization Analysis & Strategic Recommendations
Touchstone 4: Organization Analysis &
Strategic Recommendations
SCENARIO: Select an organization you are familiar with or have worked for
(currently or in the past). You are tasked with analyzing the organization both
internally and externally using some of the tools and frameworks you have
learned in this course. You are also tasked with recommending changes to the
organization’s strategy and structure, in addition to considering associated ethical
implications. This assignment requires you to apply SWOT analysis, PESTEL
analysis, Porter’s Five Forces of Industry Analysis, Porter’s Generic Strategies,
and organization design concepts related to strategy-structure fit. You will
prepare a slide deck containing your analysis and recommendations that could
be presented to the organization’s Board.
ASSIGNMENT: Your presentation will be 11-14 slides long, not including the title
and references slides. It must include the following slides:
Title
• Executive Summary
• Organization Background
• Internal Strengths
• Internal Weaknesses
• External Opportunities
• External Threats
• Macro Environment Analysis: PESTEL
• Micro Industry Analysis: Porter’s Five Forces
• Generic Strategy Recommendations
• Organization Design Recommendations
• Ethical Considerations
• References
If you’ve never used a presentation tool like PowerPoint or Google Slides before,
don’t worry! The assignment template below will help you create slides for a
basic slide presentation. Then you’ll be able to practice using the presentation
technology as you put the finishing touches on your presentation.
•
Touchstone 4 Template
Touchstone 4 Sample
Before you get started, let’s look at how you’ll be building the presentation, step
by step.
A. Directions
Step 1: Choose an Organization
Select an organization that you are familiar with.
The most successful Learners select an organization that is a public company
with readily available information to meet the analysis requirements of the rubric.
These successful learners do not rely solely on their personal knowledge but
instead use evidence from references to support points in the touchstone.
Learners that struggle with this touchstone are those who select an organization
that is small, hyper-local, non-profit, or governmental; this includes municipalities
or the company they work for. We suggest you avoid organizations in these
categories.
Organizations that should not be used include:
• Amazon
• Amnesty International
• US Bank
• Walmart
• Tesla
Step 2: Create Presentation Slides
Use a presentation tool like PowerPoint or Google Slides to outline and organize
your presentation. Your presentation must include the following:
Slide
Title Slide
Your title slide will be the first slide and should
organization you selected.
Executive Summary
An executive summary should include the main
2). It should also include your recommendation
(and easiest) to write the executive summary la
Organization Background
The organization background should be brief—
of the organization, in addition to the major pro
served. Other possible categories include the f
regions, etc.
Internal Strengths
Using what you have learned about SWOT ana
organization. You may have to make some infe
organization.
Internal Weaknesses
Using what you have learned about SWOT ana
organization. You may have to make some infe
organization.
External Opportunities
Using what you have learned about SWOT ana
externally. Opportunities and threats are gener
weaknesses, and are typically shared across th
External Threats
Using what you have learned about SWOT ana
Opportunities and threats are generally easier
are typically shared across the same industry.
Macro Environment Analysis: PESTEL
Applying the PESTEL framework to the organiz
Political Factors, Economic Factors, Sociocultu
Factors, Legal Factors.
Analyze the industry the organization competes
Micro Industry Analysis: Porter’s Five Forces Five Forces of industry analysis. You should lis
Threat of New Entrants, Threat of Substitutes,
Generic Strategy Recommendations
Given what you have learned from your interna
pursuing the right strategy? If so, why? If not, w
current) strategy the right “fit” for the environme
one of Porter’s three generic strategies and provid
Organization Design Recommendations
Is the organization optimally designed (structur
strategy? For example, if they are pursuing a C
operating model? The objective here is to dete
strategy and structure.
Ethical Considerations
What are some of the ethical considerations fo
organization positioned for long-term sustainab
organization’s ability to attract and retain talent
Are there potential ethical dilemmas in executin
layoff thousands of workers or stop paying for b
for example?
References
This touchstone requires you to use at least fou
outside sources include (but are not limited to)
from reputable magazines or newspapers. Foll
alphabetical order.
Step 3: Add Speaker Notes
For this assignment, you are not actually giving a presentation, but rather just
preparing a slide deck that summarizes your findings and recommendations.
An important step in the preparation of a speech is writing speaker notes.
Speaker notes are notes added to a slide presentation as a reference for the
presenter and can be found below each slide. For this touchstone, add your
speaker notes to explain your analysis using information from your sources. If
you were giving an oral presentation, these notes wouldn’t be visible to your
audience when you’re in Presenter View. But you would be able to see them, and
they would guide you through your presentation.
Your speaker notes will be used to evaluate your project, so make sure you write
in complete sentences and pay attention to spelling and grammar. Also, make
sure you’re citing the information from your sources using in-text citations in APA
style. These citations should include the author’s last name and the year of
publication for the source, for example, (Mitchell, 2014).
Most presentation software will automatically display a field for speaker notes. If using
Keynote, you can access the speaker notes by clicking on View, then Show Presenter
Notes.
Step 4: Submit Presentation
Once you have completed your slides and corresponding speaker notes, it is
time to submit your presentation. If you are using PowerPoint, you simply need to
save your presentation and upload this file to Sophia. If you are using another
slide presentation technology, download the slide deck as a Microsoft
PowerPoint (.pptx) and upload this version to Sophia.
B. Rubric
Depth and
Comprehensiveness of
Organization
Background (10
points)
A researched discussion
of the organization’s
history and background is
provided.
Application of SWOT
Framework (15 points)
A SWOT analysis of the
organization is
conducted.
Application of PESTEL
Framework (15 points)
A macro environmental
analysis of the
organization is
conducted.
Application of Porter’s
Five Forces Framework
(15 points)
A micro environmental
analysis of the
organization is
conducted.
Advanced (100%)
Proficient (85%)
Acceptable (75%
Background slide(s)
demonstrate in-depth
knowledge of the organization’s
history, major products or
services, and markets, and
reference relevant external
sources.
Background slide(s) demonstrate
ample knowledge of the
organization’s history, major
products or services, and
markets, and reference relevant
external sources.
Background slide(s)
demonstrate basic knowl
the organization’s history
products or services, and
markets, and reference re
external sources.
At least 4 strengths, weaknesses,
threats, and opportunities are
each identified. SWOT analysis is
specific and evidence-based
(makes reference to sources).
At least 3 of each factor are
identified at the advanced level.
Or, at least 4 of each are identified
but analysis is less specific and
may not be evidence-based.
At least 3 of each factor ar
identified, but analysis is
and may not be evidence-
At least 2 macro environmental
factors for each PESTEL category
are identified. Analysis
demonstrates a thorough
understanding of the PESTEL
framework and the macro
environment of the organization.
At least 1 macro environmental
factor for each PESTEL category
is identified. Analysis
demonstrates a moderate
understanding of the PESTEL
framework and the macro
environment of the organization.
Macro environmental fact
some, but not all, PESTEL
categories are identified.
Analysis demonstrates a l
understanding of the PES
framework and the macro
environment of the
organization.
At least 2-3 observations for
each of Porter’s Five Forces are
made. Observations demonstrate
a thorough understanding of
Porter’s Five Forces and the
micro environment of the
organization.
At least 2-3 observations for each
of Porter’s Five Forces are made.
Observations demonstrate a
moderate understanding of
Porter’s Five Forces and the
micro environment of the
organization.
At least 1 observation for
Porter’s Five Forces is ma
Observations demonstrat
limited understanding of
Porter’s Five Forces and t
micro environment of the
organization.
Strategy
Recommendations (15
points)
Strategy
recommendations are
made and supported with
evidence.
Organization Design
Recommendations (12
points)
Organization design
recommendations are
made and supported with
evidence.
Ethical Considerations
(10 points)
Ethical considerations for
strategy
recommendations are
analyzed.
Formatting and
Mechanics (8 points)
Conventions for standard
written English are
followed and sources are
included.
Advanced (100%)
Proficient (85%)
Acceptable (75%
Organization’s current strategy
is identified and defended, or
one of Porter’s three generic
strategies is recommended with
rationale. Strategy
recommendations are highly
specific and supported by SWOT
and environmental analyses.
Organization’s current strategy is
identified and defended, or one of
Porter’s three generic strategies
is recommended with rationale.
Strategy recommendations are
moderately specific and
supported by SWOT and
environmental analyses.
Organization’s current str
is identified and defended
one of Porter’s three gene
strategies is recommende
Strategy recommendation
somewhat vague or
unsupported by SWOT an
environmental analyses.
Analysis of “fit” between the
current organizational structure
and strategy is comprehensive,
and any recommendations for or
against design changes are
explained with evidence.
Analysis of “fit” between the
current organizational structure
and strategy is present but
abbreviated. Recommendations
for or against design changes are
explained with evidence.
Analysis of “fit” between t
current organizational str
and strategy is present bu
abbreviated. Recommend
for or against design chan
may be unclear or unexpl
Analysis of ethical
considerations for current or
recommended organizational
strategy is relevant and
insightful. Awareness of issues
related to business ethics is
strong.
Analysis of ethical considerations
for current or recommended
organizational strategy is present
but less well-developed.
Awareness of issues related to
business ethics is moderate.
Analysis of ethical
considerations for curren
recommended organizati
strategy is present but lim
Awareness of issues relat
business ethics is somewh
weak.
Presentation is polished and
professional, and contains one or
no grammar, spelling, or
formatting errors. At least four
sources are provided in the
reference slide.
Presentation is mostly
professional, but may contain a
few grammar, spelling, or
formatting errors. Three sources
are provided in the reference
slide.
Frequent grammar, spelli
formatting errors detract
the overall professionalis
the presentation. Two sou
are provided in the refere
slide.
C. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission:
•
•
•
All content must be appropriate for an academic context.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
Reference slide must include at least four sources.
•
•
•
•
Presentation must include speaker notes for every slide.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name and the date.
File format must be .pptx.
D. Additional Resources
The following resources will be helpful to you as you work on this assignment:
1. Purdue Online Writing Lab’s APA Formatting and Style Guide
1. This site includes a comprehensive overview of APA style, as well as
individual pages with guidelines for specific citation types.
2. Frequently Asked Questions About APA Style
1. This page on the official APA website addresses common questions
related to APA formatting. The “References,” “Punctuation,” and
“Grammar and Writing Style” sections will be the most useful to your
work in this course.
3. APA Style: Quick Answers—References
1. This page on the official APA Style website provides numerous
examples of reference list formatting for various source types.
