Identify the key success factors that are the major determinants of success in Zespri’s key market segments; integrate the above two analyses to identify what are Zespri’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to market opportunities.

Strategic evaluation report

Glenda has requested that in your report you include:

1. An analyse of Zespri’s resources and capabilities to identify its’ distinctive competencies;
2. identify the key success factors that are the major determinants of success in Zespri’s key market segments;
3. integrate the above two analyses to identify what are Zespri’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to market opportunities; and
4. summarise Zespri’s situation by compiling a “priority list” of strategic issues that require senior executive attention. This summary needs to articulate Zespri’s needs, reflects the main challenges, and point towards the necessary analyses to be conducted to evaluate strategic options.

The report will need to address all four elements and how you structure the report is up to you. However, Glenda does prefer for key insights/conclusions to be delivered up-front, with no surprises. She often says “Suspense kills! If your audience knows your key conclusions from the get-go, the rest of the report can walk them through how you came to that decision, it’s easier for them to follow your line of reasoning!”

So, as a general guide, think of the report as having 5 parts:

1. Executive summary – single page that contains all the key points from your report
2. Clients distinctive competencies (resources and capabilities, this will determine distinctive competencies)
3. Key success factors for client’s key market segments
4. Analysis of Zespri’s current and future competitiveness in key market segments
5. Strategic issues – what are the key challenges facing Zespri? What are the key strategic issues that need to be addressed for Zespri to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage?

Glenda senses that you are nervous, and she takes you for a coffee to provide some guidance on what she is looking for. She notes this is not a standard “university type essay” and that you need to add value beyond just properly using a framework or two. She is after the insights you draw from the frameworks/tools not a demonstration that you can “use” a collection of tools. She notes that as an analyst your key job is to

“not to analyse but synthesis! It is your ability the put together the important pieces. It is the capacity to synthesis rather than to just analysis, it is seeing the big picture, crossing boundaries, being able to combine disparate pieces into an arresting whole. To sort out what really matters, by absorbing the detail in the data and providing back meaning. Data is useless until patterns are imposed on them. This requires you to edit, withhold, highlight, and know what to exclude as much as what to include. We add value through sense-making and sense-giving to provide others with the insights and resources to act in order to make a positive difference!

I do not care what you did or how long you worked, I only care about the insights you found and what value you can add to our client.”

She left you with your now cold coffee to digest what she had said.

General Guidelines for completing the report

The focus is on the logic of your argument and how well your report builds a clear coherent business case for decision makers. This means part of your task is to decide what information to include your report and what information is interesting but not important. The writing will need to be crisp and precise. Focus on the quality of your analysis rather than quantity. To this end, if appropriate, you can use bullet points.

Note, there are multiple potential correct answers to the case. The quality of your report comes down to how well you can justify your conclusions and how persuasive your argument/analysis is. Therefore, you will need to consider not just what you say but how you say it.

This report will require you to apply techniques covered during weeks 1-6 of MGB309. Not all the techniques will necessarily be applicable or helpful. Part of your job is to use the rights tools and techniques for the job. Note, the list of tools/frameworks we cover in class and the ones covered in the textbook are not exhaustive, so feel free to go beyond this list if there are other tools you feel will be useful.

Adequately applying all the tools will not guarantee a good grade. It is only part of the process, a good report requires that you synthesis this information to build a compelling case rather than just report findings. Using a bunch of frameworks and throwing them into your report and hoping that something sticks will get you a pass (at best).

No references are required for this report, but it does require that you demonstrate your understanding of strategic management through application of your strategic analysis knowledge. However, if you do use a framework, statistics, you do need to acknowledge where you got it from. Use footnotes to acknowledge, as these are less intrusive.

In summary, the aim of your report is to define the situation facing the client. You are demonstrating your understanding of the situation in order to establish agreement on the business-critical issues the client wants to resolve. Your report needs to articulate what short-term and long-term decisions need to be made?

Note, your recommendation for how to address the strategic issues is the focus of assessment item 2.

 Cover Page:

• Include the title of your report, your name, student number, unit code (MGB309), tutor’s name, tutorial time, and the final word count of your report.

 Length/Word Count:

The word limit for is 2000 words. This word count includes general text, headings, citations, tables, footnotes, etc. However, the word limit does not include the cover page or reference list. The word limit is 2000 words. Anything beyond 2000 words will not be read or marked.

We offer the following word count guidance as a suggestion:

1. Executive summary – single page that contains all the key points from your report   (approx 250-400 words)
2. Clients distinctive competencies  (approx. 400-500 words)
3. Key success factors for key market segments  (approx. 400-500 words)
4. Integration – Analysis of Zespri’s current and future competitiveness in key market segments (approx. 400-500 words)
5. Problem statement – what is the key challenge(s) facing the client  (400-500 words)

Appendices:

• No limit applied but will also not be assessed.
• Provided as support for conclusions provided in main body. In other words, in the report you provide what you found and the so what, and in the appendix you can provide what you did and how you found it.

Penalty for Late Submission of Assessment

Assessment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked and will receive a grade of 1 or 0%. If special circumstances prevent you from meeting the assessment due date, you can apply for an extension. If you don’t have an approved extension you should submit the work you have completed by the due date and it will be marked against the assessment criteria.