Strategic Initiative Development Project

This final assignment challenges you to identify a strategic business problem and propose a solution. Here’s the breakdown:

  1. Problem Identification:
    • Review your previous analyses (industry structure, business strategy, corporate strategy) to identify strategic problems at the industry, business unit, and corporate levels.
    • For each problem, describe a high-level solution.
  2. Prioritization:
    • Develop a logical approach to prioritize the problems and solutions, considering:
      • Organizational culture
      • Management style of the CEO and top management team
      • Investor expectations
  3. Solution Development:
    • Select the highest-priority problem-solution pair and develop the solution further using the congruence model (explained in the “Executing Strategy” reading).
  4. Presentation & Report:
    • Create a 10-15 minute video presentation to present your work to the CEO, with the goal of securing their support (financial, human capital, and political) for your initiative. (Avoid including basic company history or facts.)
    • Use your AI assistant to role-play as an audience member to ensure your presentation is complete and clear.
    • Supplement your presentation with a 5-page written report that:
      • Provides details about the problems and solutions.
      • Explains your prioritization approach.
      • Details your strategic initiative development process.
      • Includes an appendix (no page limit) with supporting tables and exhibits as a separate document.

Research & Tools:

  • NotebookLM: Conduct your analysis using NotebookLM, populating your notebook with relevant source materials. Share a read-only link to your notebook with me.
  • Authoritative Sources: Stick to credible sources like:
    • Company 10-K and DEF 14-A reports
    • Earnings call transcripts
    • Analyst reports from reputable investment banks
    • Industry data providers (e.g., Capital IQ)

Submission Details:

  • Format: Submit your 5-page report (.docx or PDF), appendix, video presentation link (ensure accessible permissions), and NotebookLM link (ensure accessible permissions).
  • Deadline: April 22nd, 5:00 PM
  • Points: 100 points

Grading Rubric:

Rubric for Strategic Initiative Development Project (100 points)

Criteria Excellent (25 pts) Good (20 pts) Fair (15 pts) Needs Improvement (10 pts)
Problem Identification & Solutions Accurately identifies strategic problems at the industry, business unit, and corporate levels. Proposes logical high-level solutions for each problem. Identifies strategic problems but may miss some key issues or propose less effective solutions. Identifies some strategic problems, but the analysis may be incomplete or solutions may be unclear. Fails to identify key strategic problems or propose relevant solutions.
Prioritization & Rationale Develops a clear and well-supported approach for prioritizing problems and solutions. Demonstrates a strong understanding of organizational culture, management style, and investor expectations. Prioritizes problems and solutions, but the rationale may lack depth or clarity in considering key factors. Attempts to prioritize problems and solutions, but the approach is unclear or lacks a strong rationale. Fails to prioritize problems and solutions effectively or demonstrate an understanding of key influencing factors.
Solution Development & Congruence Model Develops a detailed and well-justified solution for the highest-priority problem, effectively applying the congruence model. Develops a solution for the chosen problem, but the application of the congruence model may lack depth or clarity. Attempts to develop a solution, but the solution is incomplete or the application of the congruence model is limited. Fails to develop a comprehensive solution or apply the congruence model effectively.
Presentation Quality & Content Delivers a compelling and well-structured video presentation that clearly communicates the analysis, prioritization, and proposed solution. Effectively targets the CEO and addresses their needs. Delivers a video presentation that communicates the key points, but may have some areas for improvement in clarity, structure, or audience focus. Delivers a video presentation that is unclear, disorganized, or lacks focus on the CEO’s needs. Fails to deliver an effective video presentation or the presentation is incomplete.
Report Quality & Content Provides a well-written and informative report that complements the presentation. Clearly details the problems, solutions, prioritization approach, and initiative development process. Appendix is comprehensive and well-organized. Provides a report that supports the presentation, but may have some areas for improvement in clarity, organization, or depth of analysis. Provides a report that is incomplete, unclear, or lacks key information. Appendix may be missing or poorly organized. Fails to provide a comprehensive report or the report is poorly written and lacking in key details.

Total Points: 100