Organization Analysis & Strategic Recommendations

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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.
In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled work will result in a Plagiarism Detected alert. Review Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines for more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert. For guidance on the use of generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.

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

 

 

 

Sample Solution

Organization: Apple Inc.

Title Slide

Apple Inc.: An Analysis of Internal and External Factors, Strategic Recommendations, and Organizational Design

Executive Summary

Apple Inc. is a global technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. The company is considered one of the most valuable and innovative companies in the world. However, Apple is facing increasing competition from other technology companies, as well as challenges from emerging markets. In this presentation, we will analyze Apple’s internal and external factors, recommend strategic changes, and discuss organizational design considerations.

Organization Background

Apple Inc. was founded in Cupertino, California in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The company’s first product was the Apple I computer, which was followed by the Apple II and the Macintosh. In the 1990s, Apple faced financial difficulties and was on the verge of bankruptcy. However, the company was saved by the introduction of the iMac in 1998. Since then, Apple has released a string of successful products, including the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad.

Internal Strengths

  • Strong brand reputation: Apple is one of the most valuable brands in the world. The company’s products are known for their high quality, innovation, and design.
  • Loyal customer base: Apple has a very loyal customer base that is willing to pay premium prices for the company’s products.
  • Strong financial position: Apple has a very strong financial position with a large cash reserve. This allows the company to invest in new products and technologies.
  • Innovative culture: Apple is known for its innovative culture. The company is constantly developing new products and services that surprise and delight customers.

Internal Weaknesses

  • High reliance on iPhone sales: Apple is heavily reliant on iPhone sales for its revenue. This makes the company vulnerable to changes in the smartphone market.
  • Limited product diversification: Apple’s product portfolio is relatively limited compared to other technology companies. This could limit the company’s growth potential.
  • High employee turnover: Apple has a high employee turnover rate, which can be costly and disruptive.

External Opportunities

  • Growth of the wearable technology market: The wearable technology market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Apple is well-positioned to take advantage of this growth with its Apple Watch.
  • Expansion into new markets: Apple has the potential to expand into new markets, such as China and India.
  • Development of new technologies: Apple is constantly developing new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality. These technologies could create new opportunities for the company.

External Threats

  • Increased competition: Apple is facing increasing competition from other technology companies, such as Samsung, Google, and Huawei.
  • Economic slowdown: A global economic slowdown could hurt demand for Apple’s products.
  • Changing consumer preferences: Consumer preferences are constantly changing. Apple needs to be able to adapt to these changes in order to remain successful.

Macro Environment Analysis: PESTEL

  • Political: Apple is subject to a variety of political factors, including trade regulations, intellectual property laws, and environmental regulations.
  • Economic: Apple is affected by economic factors such as interest rates, inflation, and unemployment.
  • Social: Apple needs to be aware of social trends and preferences in order to develop products that appeal to consumers.
  • Technological: Apple is at the forefront of technology development, but it also needs to be aware of new technologies that could disrupt its business.
  • Environmental: Apple is committed to sustainability and is working to reduce its environmental impact.
  • Legal: Apple is subject to a variety of legal regulations, including antitrust laws, consumer protection laws, and labor laws.

Micro Industry Analysis: Porter’s Five Forces

  • Bargaining power of suppliers: Apple’s suppliers have a significant amount of bargaining power due to the company’s reliance on a small number of key suppliers.
  • Bargaining power of buyers: Consumers have a moderate amount of bargaining power due to the availability of a wide range of smartphones and other electronic devices.
  • Threat of new entrants: The threat of new entrants is moderate due to the high barriers to entry in the technology industry.
  • Threat of substitute products: The threat of substitute products is high due to the availability of a wide range of smartphones and other electronic devices.
  • Competitive rivalry: The technology industry is highly competitive, with a number of major players competing for market share.

Generic Strategy Recommendations

  • Differentiation: Apple should continue to focus on differentiation by developing innovative products and services that meet the needs of its customers.
  • Focus: Apple should focus on its core markets and products where it has a competitive advantage.

Organization Design Recommendations

 

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