Written Assignments – The assignment should be a single-spaced Word document in 10 point type. Do not send me Excel files – embed what you need into a single document. Note that end appendices, exhibits, or citations (don’t forget about them…) are not included in the page limit. Most strong work assignments use appendices/exhibits for detail (hint…). Put the strategy tools in the exhibits (versus the body of the memo). Use the following format for the filename: “Last Name, First Name, Assignment Name” for example: “Kingsley, Tom, Tesla A”. For each assignment, answer the case questions only, which will be assigned.

Going over the page limit will drop the assignment by a grade. Note that appendices, exhibits or citings are not included in the page limit. Do not include a cover page.

Answer the case questions only in the assignment description. All assignments except the first (Tesla A) must be written as a “memo” reflecting your role as described in the assignment details below. Each assignment has a point of view from which to analyze and write the case. Please include an Executive Summary (not an introduction).

In evaluating your written assignments, I will look for the following:

1. Critical thinking: You should demonstrate “critical thinking.” Have you added value? Have you gone deeper than an obvious or superficial understanding of the issues (or question)?

Critical Thinking: Effective business decision-makers who critically analyze an economic or financial issue and develop a clearly supportable position/recommendation on the issue.

2. Synthesis. Have you used case, article, and/or class information to analyze and draw conclusions? Specifically, can I see examples of material from the text or articles? Have you used data from the case? Have you analyzed the financials and drawn conclusions? Have you extracted relevant information from the exhibits?

3. Business analysis. Is your logic conveyed in a crisp and concise manner? In a manner consistent with concise business communication?

o Use frameworks, tools and bulleted points to sharpen your analysis.

o Have you summarized the analysis to clarify your conclusions or recommendations?

Saw your first draft of the plan – that is good organization and start.

Couple things – first – you’ll need much more “meat and potatoes” in the plan.  Right now you have the bones and some information – so get the team going on more depth – find justification information for statements of strategy (example – Why $100? – competition, imagery, target market behavior, – profit margins, cost structures, gross sales, tax brackets – what does that price do for you?  And is that the retail price – will you have any other distribution partners?

This is just price – so you can see the other areas – Product, Promotions, Distribution – will need the same emphasis.

Now – you might already know this and are looking to beef it up – you have time and a team!

Next – what about measurements – the three categories is good (Marketing, Management, Finance) – but you’ll need to either have a measurement sub-section in each of those – or one that covers all aspects of the plan.  You need to be able to prove that your strategy is working once implemented – and it isn’t just bottom line sales – (I’ve seen companies make good sales – but missed out on more – and this allowed competition to enter the market and take some of their share!)

(Just like you are entering the market and taking share from others!)

So – ensure you can measure something to show that your strategy is reaching your objectives – see the attached – it is a good overview of the big picture.

Keep it up – you are building and like any structure – it isn’t completed until you turn over the keys for someone to open the door!

(Don’t you know I love analogies!)

PS – YOU DO NOT need all the items in the attached – it is to help you build a strong plan – some you may use – some you might not.  Just expand your thinking about what goes into a plan! (note – you can’t be wrong with more information – “if it relates” – Talking about Santa Clause, or Price of Tea in China – likely doesn’t fit.)

Attachments area

My Portion to focus more on is the operations