Trident – MGT499 Strategic Management Discussions (1-4)
Module
1 Discussions: Strategic Management Cycle
In this
module (and throughout the course) we will be discussing the strategic
management cycle. And although organizations tend to consider
organizational strategy yearly, organizational strategic plans tend to be
multi-year endeavors often looking 5 or more years into the future. Given
the typical 5 year outlook, discuss why companies go through the strategic
management cycle yearly and why this is a good (or bad) idea. Give
examples of companies that have incorporated strategies that took years to
realize and discuss how annually revisiting a companys strategic direction can
influence an organizations success in a competitive environment for longer
range plans.
Module 2 Discussions: Environmental
Assessment
As a
business student you have likely spent some time learning about applications of
PEST (and/or PESTEL), Porters 5 forces, and SWOT analysis over the
years. These are useful tools for understanding the environment in which
a given organization might find itself embedded. SWOT analysis is useful
for understanding the organization itself on a more micro-level
scale.
Discuss
to what degree you believe these tools are actually useful for different sized
businesses. For instance, what should a mom and pop computer repair store
consider doing in the area of strategic analysis? What about a medium
sized retailer?
What about
a family? Is there an optimal organizational size for applying these
tools? Give some evidence to support your key points.
Module 3 Discussions: Strategy Planning
and Formulation
Companies
can pursue a lot of different strategies for dealing with a particular
problem. During strategy formulation and planning, competing strategies
are often considered and an attempt is made to identify the optimal mix of
strategies. Lets discuss some of the technology and marketing strategies
of the major cell phone manufacturers. What are some strategies that have
been helpful in making some companies (Like Apple and Samsung) more successful
than others?
Module 4 Discussions: Strategy
Implementation and Evaluation
Strategy
implementation and evaluation are important aspects of the strategic management
process. Consider an industry rooted in innovation (such as the cell
phone industry) and the top competing companies that use an innovation
leadership strategy. How do you suppose such companies (like Apple and
Samsung) manage the implementation of continuous innovation? Discuss
implementation barriers that companies considered to be leaders of innovation
face (or have faced). Provide some evidence to support your
arguments.
Module 4 Discussions: Module 4 Reflective
Discussion
Topic List – Module 4 Reflective Discussion
(Module 1: The Strategic Management Cycle, Module 2: Environmental
Assessment, Module 3: Strategic Planning & Strategy Formulation, and Module 4: Strategy Implementation & Evaluation.
Please take some
time to reflect on what we have covered this session. Have you learned
anything that you will be able to apply at work either now or in the
future?
Trident – MGT499 Strategic Management Discussions (1-4)
Module
1 Discussions: Strategic Management CycleIn this
module (and throughout the course) we will be discussing the strategic
management cycle. And although organizations tend to consider
organizational strategy yearly, organizational strategic plans tend to be
multi-year endeavors often looking 5 or more years into the future. Given
the typical 5 year outlook, discuss why companies go through the strategic
management cycle yearly and why this is a good (or bad) idea. Give
examples of companies that have incorporated strategies that took years to
realize and discuss how annually revisiting a companys strategic direction can
influence an organizations success in a competitive environment for longer
range plans.Module 2 Discussions: Environmental
AssessmentAs a
business student you have likely spent some time learning about applications of
PEST (and/or PESTEL), Porters 5 forces, and SWOT analysis over the
years. These are useful tools for understanding the environment in which
a given organization might find itself embedded. SWOT analysis is useful
for understanding the organization itself on a more micro-level
scale. Discuss
to what degree you believe these tools are actually useful for different sized
businesses. For instance, what should a mom and pop computer repair store
consider doing in the area of strategic analysis? What about a medium
sized retailer? What about
a family? Is there an optimal organizational size for applying these
tools? Give some evidence to support your key points.Module 3 Discussions: Strategy Planning
and FormulationCompanies
can pursue a lot of different strategies for dealing with a particular
problem. During strategy formulation and planning, competing strategies
are often considered and an attempt is made to identify the optimal mix of
strategies. Lets discuss some of the technology and marketing strategies
of the major cell phone manufacturers. What are some strategies that have
been helpful in making some companies (Like Apple and Samsung) more successful
than others? Module 4 Discussions: Strategy
Implementation and EvaluationStrategy
implementation and evaluation are important aspects of the strategic management
process. Consider an industry rooted in innovation (such as the cell
phone industry) and the top competing companies that use an innovation
leadership strategy. How do you suppose such companies (like Apple and
Samsung) manage the implementation of continuous innovation? Discuss
implementation barriers that companies considered to be leaders of innovation
face (or have faced). Provide some evidence to support your
arguments.Module 4 Discussions: Module 4 Reflective
DiscussionTopic List – Module 4 Reflective Discussion
(Module 1: The Strategic Management Cycle, Module 2: Environmental
Assessment, Module 3: Strategic Planning & Strategy Formulation, and Module 4: Strategy Implementation & Evaluation.Please take some
time to reflect on what we have covered this session. Have you learned
anything that you will be able to apply at work either now or in the
future?
