Format and Content Instructions:

1. Individually      write a 1 page (3/4 to 1 page) single-spaced “company analysis” (plus      cover page, references, and appendices) in Microsoft Word (see below for      example of a cover page).
2. Use legitimate      sources (published articles, company web site, and recognized print and      on-line news organizations); there should be at least  3      cites (not including the textbook). Theories from      the textbook can be incorporated as an additional source.
3. Research one of      the following companies and determine the current state of the organization:      Walgreens, CVS, Amazon, Wal-mart, Facebook, Starbucks, Intel, Marriott,      Chick-Filet, or Buffalo Wild Wings. Specifically, identify and thoroughly      discuss the key issues facing the organization (based on your analysis)      and provide specific recommendations for top management to address these      issues.
   • Research: After       analyzing the company (reviewing the company’s web site and reading       articles about the company) and performing the SWOT analysis, identify       the top issues facing the company you have chosen (these may be problems       and/or opportunities).

· Review and use the material in chapter 6 (particularly creating a competitive advantage in an industry).

· Conduct a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) (see section 5.9b and Exhibit 5.8), as the basis for your analysis. The main SWOT analysis can be included as an appendix, but is only one tool for understanding the current state of the organization. That is, the report should incorporate the results from your SWOT analysis, but should include additional analysis as well.

· For each issue, discuss the relevant causes and impacts, and provide sound reasoning to support your views.

o Recommendations: Provide your recommendations for the organization’s leadership. In other words, what specific actions should management take to efficiently and effectively address the issues you have identified? Again, it is critical that you provide sound reasoning to support your positions.

Style Instructions:

1. The assignment      will be graded based on content and presentation.
2. The report should be professional and have no apparent      grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.
3. Word choice is extremely important. Students are      expected to use relevant business terminology in this report.
4. Submit the assignment as a single Microsoft Word      document (1 file only).
5. Use the Grading Rubric for Assignments (see appendix C)      for further guidance.

Report Outline:

1. Cover page (Cover      page (see Getting Started Module)
2. Body of report      (suggested outline) will likely be 4-6 paragraphs, but kept to 1      single-spaced page:
   • Introduction:       briefly explain the purpose of the report (why is this important),       definitions and descriptions of topic/issues, and outline of paper (1       short paragraph).
   • Research: based       on information from legitimate publications and includes some of       your conclusions from your SWOT analysis (2-3 paragraphs); however, the       full SWOT analysis should be included in the appendix as supplemental       material. Please refer the reader to the appendix (e.g., see appendix)       for additional details.
   • Conclusion:       summary of key findings and implications for the organization and provide       any recommendations or actions managers should take to improve the       organization (1-2 paragraphs).
3. References      (separate page)
4. Appendices      (separate pages)

Assignment Grading

The report will be graded based on the following (review the Report Writing Guidelines handout posted on the Getting Started page):

1. Grammar/punctuation/word      choice, spelling, sentence and paragraph structure, using active voice,      avoiding pronouns (I, me, you), being direct and concise, and overall      writing.
2. Presentation      (does it look professional): follow APA (margins (1”), page numbers,      etc.), include a cover page, and references (should be in APA format)—see      web links for a list of web sites for help; the only exceptions are that I      want it single-spaced and don’t require a running head for a 1 page      report.
3. Correctness of      the assignment (did student follow directions).
4. Content (depth      and thoroughness) and clarity of writing.