[u06a1] Unit 06 Assignment 1Using a SWOT Analysis for Strategic ThinkingAssignment OverviewThe organizational leadership· of your selected firm (Ford) has requested that you provide·them with an exe

[u06a1] Unit 06 Assignment 1

Using a SWOT Analysis for Strategic Thinking

Assignment Overview

The organizational leadership· of your selected firm (Ford) has requested that you provide·them with an executive PowerPoint presentation· synthesizing your internal· and external· analyses of the firm , as well as recommend· potential strategic actions the company· could take· to address· the issues raised by your analyses .

Assignment Context

By successfully completing this assignment· , you will demonstrate· your proficiency in the following course· competencies and assignment· criteria:

·         Competency 2– Analyze the fit· of the internal· elements (resources , capabilities , goals , structures , systems , and values) with the organizational strategy· .

o    Illustrate the key· strengths , weaknesses , opportunities , and threats using a SWOT table· .

o    Relate the SWOT analysis· to key· strategic actions for the selected firm .

o    Examine the internal· resources , capabilities , and competencies of the selected firm .

·         Competency 3– Analyze an organization's strategic fit· with the external· environment· and primary industry· in which it competes .

o    Analyze the firm's external· environment· , including its general· environment· , industry· , and competitive· position· .

·         Competency 4– Communicate in a manner· that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business· professions .

o    Write coherently to support· a central· idea; use· current APA style· , and correct grammar , usage· , and mechanics , as expected of a business·professional .

Assignment Preparation

If necessary , familiarize yourself with Microsoft PowerPoint and a SWOT analysis· format . Both are required to complete this assignment· . A SWOT table·template is available from several sources that you can find· on the Web , or you can create· a simple table· on your own using Microsoft Word or Excel .  

You will need to include· at least five current , scholarly , or professional resources to support· your presentation· .

Assignment Requirements

Develop a PowerPoint presentation· of 8 – 12 slides (with speaker's notes) that synthesizes the internal· and external· analyses for your selected firm . Your presentation· is to include· a well-developed SWOT analysis· , a summary· of potential strategic actions , and the following:

Summary of SWOT Analysis

·         Examine the internal· resources , capabilities , and competencies of the selected firm , using key· strategic management· tools and models such as the VRIO Framework and Value Chain .

o    Look specifically for capabilities that are required for the company's competitive· advantage· .

o    Be specific about the firm's resources (both tangible· and intangible) that seem· most strategically important· , now and in your vision· of the company's future· strategic development· .

o    Clearly state· where firmStrengths and Weaknesses are found.

·         Analyze the firm's external· environment· , including its general· environment· , industry· , and competitive· position· . Choose a strategic management· model· such as PEST analysis· or Porter's Five Forces Model to use· in this analysis· . Clearly state· where external·Opportunities and Threats are found.

·         Illustrate the key· strengths , weaknesses , opportunities , and threats using a SWOT table· . You might also develop· a SWOT figure· that depicts your findings in a way· that allows for more effective· integration· and synthesis· of your key· ideas .

Strategic Actions Based on SWOT Analysis

·         Relate the SWOT analysis· to the key· strategic actions the selected firm could take· to further its alignment· and long-term success· .

o    How can you relate· internal· strengths and weaknesses with opportunities and threats in the external· environment· ?

o    Are there capabilities that need to be· enhanced in order· to capitalize on opportunities or reduce· threats ? Are there capabilities that can be·divested because they no longer are need in the current or projected environment· ?

o    What are the strategic actions that would align· specific strengths and weaknesses with specific opportunities and threats ?

Your presentation· should be· written clearly and be· communicated effectively to organizational leadership· in a business· environment· . Keep in mind·that the audience is an upper level· leadership· audience , so formatting your content· to appeal· to that audience will help· your presentation· be· on point· .

Submission Requirements

·         References: Support your PowerPoint presentation· with at least five academic· resources from the Capella University Library . You must use· current APA style· and format for citations and references .

·         Length: 8 – 10 PowerPoint slides (with speaker's notes) , plus references and title· slide· .

·         Written communication·: Demonstrate graduate-level writing skills through accurate· communication· of thoughts that convey· the overall goals of the analysis· and do· not detract from the message· .

·         Font: Times New Roman , 12 point· .

Refer to the Using a SWOT Analysis for Strategic Thinking Scoring Guide to ensure· that you meet· the grading criteria for this assignment· .

Note: Your instructor· may also use· the Writing Feedback Tool to provide· feedback· on your writing . In the tool· , click the linked resources for helpful writing information .

Resources

·         Using a SWOT Analysis for Strategic Thinking Scoring Guide .

·         Writing Feedback Tool .

·         Case 8: Procter & Gamble's Organization 2005 Project .

·         Firm Research Information .

·         The Virgin Group in 2012 .

·         Guidelines for Effective Powerpoint Presentations .

·         Ford and the World Automobile Industry in 2012 .

·         Library Quick Start Tutorials. .

·         APA Style and Format .