Strategic Analysis Report through Tesla case study .
TESLA STRUCTURE
Executive Summary (excluded from the word count)
Yes, it must be before the table of contents! It can be max one page and it is excluded from the word count, so please be analytic about it. Use it to impress us, make it professional. Here you need to include all the major points from every part of your report. Again, this is not an introduction, it is an executive summary
Table of contents
1. Introduction
Since you have limited word count, the intro should be very small – max one paragraph. Here you simply introduce the reader in what is this report about and what you will analyse. – It is different from the ex.summary.
2. Q1 – Analysis of the external environment
Sub-headings here e.g. 1.Macro Environment Analysis – PESTEL, 2 Micro Environment Analysis – Porter’s 5 Forces Model
Q1 – 20%:
Here you are analysing the external environment of TESLA market/industry– thus the focus is not TESLA – the focus is the micro (5 Forces) and macro (PESTEL-) environment. That means both PESTEL and 5 forces should not be about TESLA but for the industry of TESLA… Plenty of you were asking whether you should focus on UK or other countries or globally. My answer is that it is up to you. Preferably I would like to see either an external environment analysis for UK, mentioning also some essential global trends OR you can make a European/Global analysis straightforward. In any case, you will need to make that explicitly clear in your executive summary and introduction, state in which level you make your external environment analysis.
Also, here you will need first to analyse PESTEL – just mention only those relevant trends to your industry . You don’t have to go into describing every dimension. If you want to and already done it – then use tables and/or appendices and mention in the text only the most important trends.
5Forces: Use the “Structural Determinants” slide from the external environment lecture slides – 1st semester. Please mention whether every force is high, moderate or low and in the end conclude whether the industry is attractive and profitable or not.
As to industry life cycle (ILC): You can either clearly incorporate it within the “existing competition” force of 5 forces, by saying whether the industry is in a development or maturity stage along with the market growth rate (which a structural determinant of the particular force) OR you can make a short section only for the industry life cycle theory.
In any case, you will need to reference every single concept and model used above both in text and in the final list of references.
3. Q2. – Analysis of the internal environment
Sub-headings here: e.g. 1.Resource Based View of the Company, 2 Value Chain etc..
Q2-20%:
In this question we expect you to use resources and capabilities theory (R+Cs or else Resource Based view of the Company) and/or Value Chain . Yes, please, mention both theories and reference them of course. However, if you feel comfortable using only one then it is still fine – just state it clearly. So, we would like you to: present the key strategic resources. Please see examples of resources and capabilities from page 94 of our book and lecture slides. Within the financial resources you must mention some key financial indexes either of TESLAs’ Strategic Business Unit (SBU) (and/)or TESLA’s group that you can find from Google, published statements, Mintel or Bloomberg databases. As for mentioning comparative measures from a key competitor, yes you can do it. More than that, you will need to state clearly what are the core capabilities/competencies of TESLA and why they are core? E.g. financial control and economies of scale-are they core? Also do they lead to competitive advantage? If yes, is it cost leadership or differentiation or a bit of both (hybrid strategy)? In this way you are actually describing TESLA’s existing business level strategy that you need in the last question.
As for Value Chain. You don’t need to analyse highly descriptive every single activity. If you want to or have done so, please use appendices and tables to avoid the word count. Here, you need to show those linkages (combinations of primary to support activities) that either increase the customer value or reduce the operating cost. In this way, again you can conclude into what competitive advantage(s) are created for TESLA and how. The outcomes of Resources+Capabilities and Value Chain should agree.
The above are the essential ones that we want for Q2.
As for leadership, decision making, culture, politics etc. Yes, you can mention them within the resources appraisal above! OR, if you want to make a separate section/part for those (since you have a limited word count), please keep it short and practically focused. In any case, please reference properly/academically every single of those concepts. The essential part of this question is R+Cs and Value Chain.
NOTE ABOUT SWOT: We didn’t and we don’t want you to do a SWOT analysis. Essentially you have analysed OT from Q1 and SW from Q2. If you want or have already done a SWOT please use is as framework to summarize your key points from questions one and two. You can put them in a table after Q2 and before Q3.
4. Q3. – Analysis of PR crises
Subheadings again here – according to your identified crises/relevant theory
Q3-10%:
In this question you are required to identify one, two or three issues that affected the image of the company, either internal or external. You will need to briefly analyse what happened applying theories on organisational ethics theory,, corporate governance CSR concepts, stakeholder applications & reputation management concepts/metrics. Not all of them are required, but the more you apply and reference inside the PR crisis/issue the better it is. We want you to demonstrate application of relevant theories.
5. Q4. – Strategic Analysis
Subheadings here: e.g. 1. Business Level Strategy, 2. Corporate Strategy, 3. Strategies Suggested for future/Evaluation, 4. Implementation Modes/Techniques and Final Suggestions.
Q4 – 30%
This is obviously the most important question. Here you need to:
a) Identify the business level strategy of TESLA (this could be also been found/linked from question 2. That is either cost leadership or differentiation or hybrid (both). Of course you will need to reference all concepts such as “Porter, 1985”.
b) Identify the corporate level strategies. These could be growth: e.g. market penetration, market development, product development, vertical/horizontal integration, related/unrelated diversification. Here you can use the Ansoff’s matrix/directional policy table (it is essentially the same). Of course there are turnaround corporate strategies (e.g. downsizing, liquidation, divesture etc) and stability strategies ( no-change strategy, pause, etc)
So in a) and b) you can identify/record plenty of strategies but please use the terminology and reference properly every concept.
c) Suggest strategies: Either you can suggest sustaining the existing ones, or developing the existing ones, or developing new.
d) Choose two (advisable)-three (max) strategies to evaluate them according to certain criteria. These can be:
– suitability – acceptability – feasibility, that is SAF (highly recommended, simple and straightforward)
-STAIR model
-SUITS model
-RACES model
– or any other properly referenced model.
You don’t need to use more than one of the above
6. Conclusions – Yes, this can be as part/sub-heading of the previous point – it is up to you.
7. Full list of References / Bibliography (excluded from the word count)
8. Appendices. (excluded from the word count)
And here are some extra guidelines;
Report Briefing (4000 words +/- 10%)
You are going to be a Senior Analyst in the related of Tesla industry. You have been asked to do an independent strategic review report for the CEO. You have been given an initial dossier containing the case study mentioned above and related info. You are encouraged to do further secondary research to support your case analysis. The CEO will ask you to cover the following in the analytical report:
1. Provide an in-depth analysis of the competitive forces and strategic elements of the external environment shaping the company.
Advisory notes:
• Approximately 900 words excluding use of supplementary appendices
• You should use any relevant strategic models to complete your analysis including macro-frameworks, Porter’s 5 forces and Industry (ILC) theory. Please avoid listing and descriptive content. It must contain structured critical evaluation.
2. Undertake an internal strategic analysis of the company using appropriate organisational & strategic models to complete your critical assessment.
Advisory notes:
• Approximately 1,100 words excluding use of supplementary appendices.
• Your strategic analysis should concentrate on the internal aspects of the compant as an organisation. This can include financial & resource appraisal and value chain linkages and other relevant learning gained from lectures.
• Aspire to being critical. Do not outline any theories in an explicit fashion. Simply apply them to the context of the case.
3. The CEO is concerned about various PR crises that have impacted the company since 2008. Therefore, you are required to identify the external stakeholder issues that Tesla faces and critically assess their impact on the corporate reputation and brand equity of it.
Advisory notes:
• Approximately 700 words excluding use of supplementary appendices
• This requires the critical application of organisational ethics theory, CSR concepts, stakeholder applications & reputation management concepts/metrics.
4. Based on sections 1-3, you are required to summarise the strategic options (strategies) that are appropriate to the company and make definitive recommendations for it to sustain its future position in the its industry.
Advisory notes:
• Approximately 1,300 words. No supplementary appendices should be used in this section. It is not appropriate.
• This requires the application of the strategic options approach based on one of the lectures & seminars.
Assessment Criteria
Q.1. 20%
Q.2. 20%
Q.3. 10%
Q.4. The quality of the strategic options analysis & final recommendations (30%)
Overall presentation, structure, writing clarity and use of secondary research sources (20%)
Questions and Evaluation Explained
In Q.1. have you looked at industry level (this is not specific toTesla) using macro & relevant 5 forces analysis? (20%)
Q.2. Have you analysed relevant internal issues using appropriate strategic and organisational concepts & models? These should include the application of financial, value chain & organisational concepts. (20%)
Q.3. Have you critically examined Tesla’s stakeholder engagement using appropriate ethical, CSR & reputation management concepts? (10%)
Quality of strategic options analysis and final recommendations (30%):
Have you used preceding issues from Q.1- Q.3. to justify a set of possible options (ideally 4-6 options)
Have you thoroughly applied the SAF or STAIR (or any related) evaluation model?
How specific and well justified are your final recommendations for Tesla?
Overall presentation, structure, writing clarity and quality of secondary research sources (20%):
Report format required. Use of a proper executive summary, annotated contents & appendices. These are NOT part of the word count.
Reformulate questions into report headings
paragraphed & formatted your work properly? Size 12 readable font, 1.5 spacing
Assessment Grading
1st (70%+):
1st Class (70%+): Implicit application of strategic & organisational theory to develop your arguments
Very effective use of evidence based argument using metrics, case and other secondary sources – all properly referenced according to Harvard Style
Demonstrates financial awareness in analysis & resource based view
Very effective application of any strategy evaluation model and application of strategic logic
Very specific and well justified recommendations
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