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Essay Instructions: MBA Reference Guides
? Competitive Advantage
? Porter's Five Forces
? Porter's Generic Strategies


The following is a highly educational interactive exercise which visually demonstrates the impact of various strategic decisions that you can make, under different kinds of industry characteristics. Play the simulation.

Tata Interactive Systems. Economics for Managerial Decision Making. http://info.umuc.edu/mba/public/TIS/economics/market/economics_market_part1.swf

NOTE: You may have to copy this link and put it directly in your browser window to reach the simulation. If you are having any difficulty accessing the simulation please contact your faculty assistant for advice.

Write a three to five page review of your playing the strategy simulation game, the decisions you made and the results of those decisions. Relate your experience to what you learned in the assigned readings. Provide sufficient detail so the reader knows which industry structure scenarios you made specific strategy decisions for and how those decisions were supported by the concepts, tools and frameworks from the assigned readings and/or from prior MBA courses.

Essay Instructions: MBA Level Global Marketing: Format Test Question. 2 pages. Use resources draft response. Please specific utilizing global marketing terminology

How can Market Research be used effectively for each of the following?
1) A U.S. retail franchise wants to open a store in Brazil.
2) Kraft is considering a package change for Macaroni and Cheese in Asia.
3) Your college is considering a distance-learning MBA program, targeting students in India

Essay Instructions: mba facmw4+7 nts 200911E 20.09.2011

1. The citation and references should be in the Harvard style.
2. The CITATION AND references should not exceed 15 %
3. Shoud be free of Plagiarism- ZERO PLAGIRISM
4. No grammatical mistakes.
5. No spelling mistakes
6. Prefer the writer : grl101 or Kiran 1976
7. Writer mirandafisher 77 should never be assigned any of my orders
8. The subject organization is : BP (British Petrolium)
9. Files submitted to the university on BP are :
A) Mba oscw4mp1 30811 oprs 200911
B) Mba oscw7mp1 220811 oprs 200911

10. First part ? deadline 22.09.2011 2300 Hrs GMT+3
11. 1000 words Max references not exceeding 6-8

12. Deadline : Second Part - max 10 DAYS ? Based on the report of the instructor for the First Part. (1.10.2011 10 Hrs Lt (GMT+3)
13. 5000 words excluding reference and topic and summary
14. Maximum references : 10-12
FIRST PART
Below is a summary of the forthcoming Module Project (MP) submission requirements in two parts. Please pay careful attention to the Note (under the Chapter 3 information below) about the background information that you will need for Chapters 3?5 of your final Module Project assignment.
Furthermore, any information that is used from your previous research must be fully acknowledged as such and appropriately referenced.

The information given previously is as per the two files enclosed herewith.
General information: Accounting and finance concepts are best understood in context. This project enables you to apply these concepts and demonstrate your mastery of the cumulative subject material. While there are two deliverables (one in W4 and one in W7), the Project really spans the entire module, as it incorporates concepts and ideas from throughout the course.
You should submit your two Module Project assignments as attachments in W4 and 7. This will make it easier to incorporate illustrations, graphs, etc. However, please be selective and be careful not to include too many of these, so that the file size for your ultimate submission is not too large.
Your Instructor will provide you with interim feedback on your first W 4 submission, and you will then have a chance to amend/enhance your work, as appropriate, before using it as the basis of your completed final Module Project paper in W7.
W4 Module Project Proposal Assignment: A first Project Proposal submission of around 1,000 words in required in W4. In this, you will be expected to:
? Describe the scope, aims and objectives of the Module Project, as related to your chosen organisation and with reference to each proposed chapter of your final Project submission.
? Demonstrate an understanding of links to the related underlying academic literature that you will reference in your final Project.
? Describe key steps and milestones for your ongoing and planned research plus how you are planning to achieve these by your final W7 deadline.
This is the second part
Final Module Project Outline: The target length for your final
W7 Module Project is 5,000 words for the main body of your submission (Chapters 1?5). This excludes your front page, executive summary, indices, any appendices and your end references list.
You should remember to include a single A4 page (250-word) executive summary at the start of your finished paper. Please also include a title page, with the title of the paper, including the organisation that you have researched and the author?s name, plus a word count for the main body of your submission. Also be sure that you include page numbers, a comprehensive index, separate indices of tables and figures, all appropriate in-text references and a final references list.
Chapter 1: The accounting function in your chosen organisation
In this initial chapter, you are required to ?set the scene? for what is to come. Here are some questions and pointers that may assist you with this:
? Background of the organisation: Describe its history, objectives, size and organisational structure. Note in particular any global or transnational interrelationships.
? Stakeholders: Identify the different stakeholders who are interested in your organisation and the objectives of each with regard to your organisation.
? Key resources of your organisation.
? Corporate governance: Identify the manner in which your organisation is directed and controlled. Are the corporate governance structures in line with what you would expect?
? The role of accounting within the organisation: Financial vs. management accounting?are these functions separated?
? Is the accounting role effective in your opinion? How is it organised? Could it be improved? Has it changed in recent years? If so, why?
? What accounting software is used? Why was this chosen? Is it effective for the organisation?s needs? Might it be changed in the near future?
? How and when do the accountants interact with other managers/third parties? Is use made of external accounting advice?
N.B. You will be addressing some of these issues in more detail in your later chapters, so remember that this is intended as an introduction to your organisation; you need not go into too much detail. Please read through the subsequent chapters? requirements in order to plan your overall research paper to best effect at this stage.
Recommended length for Chapter 1: 3-4 double-spaced A4 sides
Chapter 2: A financial accounting analysis of the organisation
In this second chapter, you should concentrate on the financial accounting information that is required for the organisation that you are studying. This will clearly vary depending on the organisation?s size and the regulatory rules to which it is subject. That the information varies does not matter; indeed, it is extremely interesting to consider what different requirements might apply.
You are also required to analyse the financial status of your organisation, as portrayed by the financial statements (accounts). Here are some questions and pointers that may assist you with this:
? Does the business look healthy? Is it growing?
? How is it financed? Is it highly geared (leveraged)?
? How sound is working capital management, as indicated by the balance sheet and trends in the appropriate financial ratios?
? What do recent profitability trends suggest?
? Calculate other key ratios and interpret these.
? If your organisation is in the not-for-profit sector or the governmental sector, how are its operations assessed?
? How does the organisation compare with close competitors/industry averages/other benchmarks?
? Are there interesting issues that show up in the notes to the financial statements?
? Who requires these financial statements? What is each of the user groups particularly interested in?
? Are there qualitative factors which you consider to be important and which are not reflected in the financial statements? Do these affect resource management?
? Have the accounts been audited, and, if so, do the audit reports provide additional information?
? Are there any ethical or social (CSR) issues that have a bearing on the organisation and its resource management?
Recommended length for Chapter 2: 5 double-spaced A4 sides
Chapter 3: A management accounting analysis of the organisation
In this third chapter, you should concentrate on the management accounting information that is required for the organisation you are researching. This will clearly vary, once again, depending on the organisation?s size and the regulatory rules to which it is subject.
You are now required to analyse the internal accounting systems within your organisation (the MIS). These are the sorts of questions that you might address:
? Is there a structured management accounting system in place?
? Are budgets regularly prepared?
? How does the budgeting system work? What sorts of budgets are generated?
? Is participative budgeting in place?
? How are variances identified and analysed?
? Is the budgeting system effective?
? What sort of costing structure is in operation?
? Does the organisation use ABC? If not, might this be helpful?
? Is break-even analysis undertaken? Can you estimate the break-even point (BEP) for key products/services?
? How are prices calculated?
? How well is management accounting information disseminated and communicated in order to manage resources effectively? Do employees have access to the information needed for them to perform their jobs effectively?
? Is accounting and finance software utilised? If so, is this successful and effective?
? Have management accounting changes occurred in the recent past? Are there any in the pipeline?
? How successful do you think the management accounting system is overall? How might it be improved?
Recommended length for Chapter 3: 5 double-spaced A4 sides
Chapter 4: A financial management analysis of the organisation
In this next chapter, you should concentrate on the financial management information and strategies that are, or would be, beneficial to the organisation you are studying, plus the way in which capital budgeting decisions are made. This will clearly vary, once again, depending on your organisation?s size, type and national characteristics.
These are some of the questions you might like to consider:
? What financial management strategies are in place in the organisation that you are researching?
? Have these changed in the recent past? Are any under current review?
? How is capital budgeting undertaken?
? How are capital projects financed?
? How is capital rationing taken into account?
? How successful do you think the financial management system is?
Recommended length for Chapter 4: 3?4 double-spaced A4 sides
Chapter 5: Conclusions and SWOT analysis
In this final chapter of your Module Project, you should present your conclusions and recommendations pertaining to the accounting and finance functions within your chosen organisation. This will involve you succinctly bringing together your findings from each of your previous chapters and critically analysing these. Your narrative should be cross-referenced back to your earlier conclusions and recommendations from these previous chapters.
Consider, in particular, the organisation?s corporate governance structure and attitude towards corporate social responsibility. Does the corporate governance structure appear to be operating effectively? Does it position the organisation appropriately to be successful in the future? What actions, if any, has the organisation taken to address its social corporate social responsibilities? Do you believe these are adequate? Are there opportunities for change and improvement?
It is suggested that you incorporate a SWOT analysis as the central part of this final chapter, so that you can readily compare and contrast the organisation?s strengths and weaknesses, plus the future opportunities and any threats that it faces, from an overall perspective.
Recommended length for Chapter 5: 3?4 double-spaced A4 sides
DEADLINE : 1.10.2010 10 HRS LT (gmt+3)

Essay Instructions: MBA
Master of Business Administration

International


MARKETING MANAGEMENT

ASSIGNMENT


October 2007 – September 2008




MBA

Marketing Management Assignment 2007/2008


THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT.

This is a practical based assignment but you should attempt to integrate theoretical models and course material into your answer. Select an organisation of your choice. This can be your own organization, a previous organization you are familiar with or, if you prefer, you can base the work on a well-known company or a local one. You must get approval from the local counselor before you start the assignment. If colleagues choose the same company or organization, you must select either a different strategic business unit of the company or different product or market categories. Again, you should consult the local counselor. If you base the assignment on a non-profit or public organization you should adapt the project and the terminology to suit. It is certainly not the intention that there should be any reproduction of an existing marketing or business plan.

The task is to investigate marketing orientation and planning processes and activities within the organization. The main learning objective is to apply knowledge from the course material and teaching sessions/materials to a practical situation that should lead to recommendations for change and improvements in marketing practice. Alternatively, you may identify limitations in the theoretical concepts introduced in the course. The task may also give you the opportunity to explore activities and issues outside the immediate and day-to-day sphere of operations. It would be a bonus if you had some fun and a lot of satisfaction from the activity.

Based on your assessment you should make recommendations about marketing activity. These recommendations should have several components:

1. Report on your assessment of the marketing orientation of the company/organization
2. Assessment of the current situation in a marketing audit. This should be supported by secondary sources of data on the market size, imports/exports if applicable, competitive activity and other relevant trends and information.
3. General recommendations on marketing activity for the organization
4. Specific recommendations in areas such as:
• The potential product improvements or new additions to portfolio.
• The potential use of new communication technologies.
• The scope for customer relationship management systems to improve added value for your customers and your organisation’s performance.
5. An outline plan of how, when and by whom your recommendations can be achieved.

Ensure that your work includes a brief introduction to the organization and the context in which it operates and has sufficient depth and detail so that your recommendations are justified. Where possible, academic material should be included to ensure that your report is both comprehensive and complete.

The written submission should be word processed and presented in report form.

This assignment is worth 50% of the total marks for this class.

Length 3000 words approximately. This excludes appendices. However you should note that anything that is included in the appendices will not count for academic credit.

You may include organizational charts or other pictures, diagrams, background and secondary material in the appendices which can be excluded from the word count.

Any company specific information will be treated in confidence.

You should include sources and references where appropriate.

There is no one right answer or correct approach in answering this assignment but you should avoid being too descriptive of what the company currently does and seek to be analytical and prescriptive using the organization that you have chosen as the basis for your analysis. Information from primary sources such as managers or salespeople can be included but it is not necessary to contact companies directly in the preparation of your answer.

PLEASE FOLLOW ASSIGNMENT OUTLINE BELOW


Organization: Coca-cola company or any other company similar product line

1. Organization Profile

Should include:

• When the Company started its operations
• The current business environment in the country
• Product portfolio of the Company
• Current estimated market size and market share
• Competitor activity (include chart in appendix)
• Current marketing organization structure

2.0 Marketing Orientation at the company
2.1 How the organization activities are focused towards customers i.e. Customer satisfying products, new product developments, distribution outlets, pricing policy and customer targeted promotion activities.
2.2 How the organizations departmental functions and activities are integrated with a view of serving customers better.
2.3 How the organization benefits from the arrangements is 2.1 and 2.2. above and equally how customers benefit from the relationship they have with the organizations.
2.4 Alertness to changes in the marketing environment i.e. customers and competitors.

3.0 Marketing Planning Process at the company

3.1 Corporate objectives and Strategy for the company

3.2 Company's Marketing Objective.

? Assume increase in Market Share of 5% within next 12 months
? Develop a system for improving customer relationship during next 12 months.

3.3 Company's Marketing Strategy
• Use Ansoff’s growth model for market development to go into unserved customers and exports to other countries



3.4 Company's Marketing Tactics/Activities

• Market Segmentation and targeting
• Product offerings to specific market targets
• Pricing levels to wholesalers, retailers and recommended prices to consumers.
• Distribution activities to specific market segments aimed at achieving 5% market share increase and good customer relation
• Promotional activities aimed at achieving the 5% market share increase and good customer relationship.

4.0 Marketing Activity Recommendations

4.1 Discuss current marketing orientation of SOBO and suggested changes and improvements its in marketing practice.
4.2 Discuss current marketing audit of SOBO i.e.

• Current Market Share
• Product performances
• Competitor activities
• Exports
• Distribution activities
•

4.3 General Recommendation

• Based on Ansoff’s model for market development
• i.e organization intergration to achieve growth in exports and expansion of Local Market through heavy distribution and aggressive promotional activities.

4.4 Specific Recommendations

• New Product Launches for beers and soft drinks
• Use of new technologies for promotional activities i.e. use of mobile phones, DSTV, and radio programmes.
• Introduction of a Customer relationship programme aimed at improving customer care/service for adding value.

4.5 Outline Plan for Implementing Recommendation

Discuss what must be done to achieve 4.4. above, how it will be done by, whom, when and give the time lines.