Reference no: EM132314686

Assessment Task 1:

QUESTION 1 Outline a method for developing organisational values.

QUESTION 2 What is the purpose of a SWOT analysis in a strategic planning process?

QUESTION 3 Discuss each component of a SWOT analysis.

QUESTION 4 What is the purpose of a PESTLE analysis in a strategic planning process?

QUESTION 5 List four examples of questions you may ask when conducting a PESTLE analysis?

QUESTION 6 Discuss three risks that should be taken into account in implementing strategic plans

QUESTION 7 Discuss why it is important for a business to protect its intellectual property.

QUESTION 8 Discuss three strategies a business can implement to protect their intellectual property such as that documented in strategic plans.

QUESTION 9 Discuss why an organisation would take legislative and regulatory and relevant Codes of Practice into consideration during the strategic planning process?

Assessment Task 2: Organisational vision and mission project

Task summary
Assessment For this assessment task you are required in the role of Operations Manager of Native Bush Spices Australia to meet the management team to confirm the organisation's vision and mission and values and to seek approval for the development of the organisation's new Strategic Plan. You will also be required to discuss strategic directions and operational priorities.

What do students need to complete this assessment?
• Computer and Microsoft Office
• Access to the internet for research
• Meeting space
• Management team (assessor)

Instructions to students

Native Bush Spices Australia is based in Coffs Harbour, NSW.
The business was established in 2010 to cater for a demand for Australian native food products. The company has organic certification.
The company manufactures and retails a range of organic, Australian native foods including:
• Native herbs and spices
• Native herbal teas
• Native fruit jams and conserves

Currently the business is selling its products through a number of small supermarkets and health stores throughout Australia. The company also has a web site through which products can be ordered.

The company's overall business objectives for the next three years are to increase sales and create brand awareness, develop a broader product range, as well as expand into overseas markets. The company is also considering options for alliance marketing.

The company is also looking at moving into international markets, namely South-East Asia - specifically Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
The company's target customers are those that enjoy gourmet foods. The age range of Australian consumers buying products is between 35 and 65 and most consumers are health conscious, care about protecting the environment and have an average income of $80,000.

The company currently employs the following staff in its head office: CEO, Operations Manager, Marketing and Sales Manager, Administration Manager and Customer Service Officer.

Around 10 staff are employed in the factory making and distributing the products.
Although the company does not have a formal strategic plan, the following information is included on its web site about its mission, vision and values.

Mission
Native Bush Spices Australia is committed to providing the highest quality product to all its clients.

Vision
We are constantly working to establish ourselves as the most respected and sought-after supplier of native bush spices.

Values
Respect: taking time to understand and value each of our customers and respecting their choices.

Responsibility: acting with integrity towards our staff, our customers, the community and the environment.
Caring: a duty of care for our staff, customers and the environment.
Excellence: to always look to provide the best quality product and customer service.
Integrity: to act with honesty, openness and do what we say we will do.
Innovation: to be industry leaders.

1. Carefully read the scenario information, particularly the information about the organisational mission, vision and values and business objectives.

2. Conduct relevant research and complete the following:
a. Review Native Bush Spices Australia's mission, vision and value statements and compare them with other companies with the intention of deciding whether they are clear enough to guide operations. If they are not clear, you may revise them. You will need to share your thoughts and gain support for these statements at the meeting with the management team as well as listen to their ideas.
b. Review the business's long term objectives given in the scenario and commence formulating strategic goals, strategies and performance indicators for the short term (one year). You should research and make notes about best practice techniques for formulating strategic goals and strategies and performance indicators.
c. Research legislative, regulatory Codes of Practice requirements including intellectual property related to
Native Bush Spices Australia's business objectives and make note of them.
d. Research co-operative ventures and collate a list of pros and cons for consideration by the management team.

3. Meet with the management team (this will be your assessor) to discuss your research and to gain support for the organisational vision, mission and values statements. as well as strategic goals. strategies and performance indicators. In addition discuss your ideas about co-operative ventures and listen to the ideas provided by the team.

4. During the meeting, you must demonstrate effective communication skills including:

• Speaking clearly
• Responding to questions from the management team
• Asking questions to elicit feedback from the management team
• Active listening to confirm or clarify information.

5. Following the meeting, summarise the meeting outcomes and send an email confirming the details as well as the approval to proceed to developing the strategic plan.

Assessment Task 3: Research and development project

Task summary
For this assessment task you are required in the role of Operations Manager for Native Bush Spices
There are two parts to this assessment task:

Part A - You are required to conduct a PESTEL analysis, as well as a SWOT analysis to inform the development of the Strategic Plan. Following the development of the PESTLE and SWOT analyses, students must use this research to develop their strategic plan.

Part B - In this part of the assessment task you are required to communicate the strategic plan developed in the part A to the staff (three you in your class) at native bush spices Australia

Instructions to students

Complete the following activities

1. Identify sources of information to use to research Native Bush Spice Australia's market, competitors and target customers. Note down at least 3 sources of information. You will need to record these information sources in your SWOT and PESTLE analysis.

2. Using the sources of information, you have developed, research trends and development in the industry and competitors, potential new and emerging markets, competitors and any other relevant factors.

3. Complete a risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis for the potential cooperative venture as discussed at the meeting (Assessment Task 2) with the intention of providing a recommendation to go ahead or not with the venture.

4. Develop a SWOT and PESTLE analysis that outlines all of the internal and external factors that will impact on the Strategic Plan based on your research.

5. Send the completed PESTLE and SWOT analysis to your assessor. Your assessor will review your analysis and provide feedback as required.

6. Once you have received feedback from your assessor, you may proceed to developing the strategic plan.

7. Develop the Strategic Plan using the template provided by your assessor. You will need to make sure you complete all sections of the Plan and use clear and concise English. Your strategic plan will need to include specific actions to include each of the strategic objectives.

You must include responsibilities and timelines for each action, as well as key performance indicators. Each of the actions should be ordered commencing with the most urgent action first.

8. Send your completed Plan to the Management team via email (your assessor) inviting comment and feedback. In your email, provide a brief overview of the actions that need to be taken over the next 12 months to achieve objectives, as well as the staff that will be involved.

9. Update your plan with any feedback provided by the assessor.

PART B- CONDUCT STAFF BRIEFING

INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS: Complete the following activities:

1. Ask three of your fellow students to participate in a meeting with you. The purpose of this meeting is to brief two
staff members (students) of their specific roles in the Strategic Plan. One student is to play the role of minute taker and the other two are to play the role of the staff.

Prepare a brief agenda for the meeting detailing the information for the staff and provide it to your meeting participants prior to the meeting.

Conduct the meeting ensuring you give an introduction and an overview of the strategic plan as well as the detail for the specific actions for both staff members. Provide an opportunity for staff to ask questions and seek clarification. Ask the minute taker to record the details of the meeting.

Ask each participant to sign and date the one copy of the minutes. Along with your agenda and any other documentation you prepared. submit them via email to your assessor.

Assessment Task 4: performance monitoring project

Task summary
This assessment task requires you to monitor the performance of the strategic plan for Native Bush Spice Australia, as well as evaluate the strategic planning process. You will be required to provide a report to the management team.

Instructions to students
Review the following scenario information to complete this task.

It is one (1) year since the strategic plan was implemented and as the Operations Manager, you are reviewing the performance of the business against the performance indicators identified in the plan.

Assume that the performance indicators identified in the strategic plan are as follows:
• A 20% increase in total sales revenue.
• International market identified, and exporting commenced. Sales to international markets to comprise 20% of total income.
• Suitable alliance for marketing identified and 10% increase in sales attributed to alliance marketing.
• Identify new products through review of competitors' web sites.
Data/comments from staff after 12 months from implementation of the strategic plan shows:
• Sales have increased from $550,000 to $800,000
• Product now selling in Hong Kong and Singapore. Total international sales identified as $70,000.
• No progress on alliance marketing as yet. No suitable partner identified.
• No ideas for new products. Consider primary secondary research, however, not sure what.

Now complete the following activities:

1. Develop a report to send to the management team that addresses.
a. Analyse and report on the data provided.
b. Comment on whether performance indicators have been achieved. Report on your findings.
c. Develop recommendations for year ahead based on your evaluation as above, as well as required changes to the strategic plan.
d. As you have also been asked to evaluate the strategic planning process, research best practice strategic planning processes and report on whether the organisation achieved this with the first strategic plan development and what could be improved.

2. Send your report via email to the management team (this will be your assessor).