Suggested Outline of Report Content

(Suggested pages of text, about 10-15)

Introduction

· Purpose of analysis

· Overview/outline of written report

· Description of the company

I. Company/Organization/Internal Environment ( 6-8 pages)

**** Major thrust of the paper should be this section)************

· Brief history (suggest including a Time Line as an exhibit)

· Vision/mission statements/strategic objectives

· Describe products/services/technologies

· Organization:

· Culture (1/2-1)

Leadership (1-2) remember to include analysis of the board.

· Value Chain Analysis -

· Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Distribution

· Core competencies and Comparison

·

· Exhibits

· References

Strategic Analysis (90%)

Category (Weight)

1

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4

Score

Overview of the firm history and product, current competitive position. (10%)

Did not provide an overview of the Firm and Historical Perspective and current situation.

Provided limited provide an overview of the firm and Historical Perspective and current situation.

Some details and appropriate facts gave a good general overview of the firm and Historical Perspective and current situation.

Included good details and appropriate facts for an overview of the firm, Historical Perspective and current situation.

Internal Environment – Mission, Vision, Leadership Culture, (25%)

Analysis did not identify many of the components of an internal analysis or major trends in the company’s abilities and behavior. Limited application of concepts.

Analysis identified and evaluated some components of the internal analysis, but mainly reported information rather than analysis of the trends and issues in the industry. It is unclear if they understood the company’s leadership, culture or organization structure Data was superficial and they lacked quality and breadth.

Analysis identified and evaluated most of the major trends and issues utilizing a majority of the internal models. Ability to integrate and synthesize the breadth of data. Analysis began to show depth and quality.

Analysis indicates a comprehensive understanding of the internal operations and the the ability to utilize the models to build a good thesis of the internal abilities of the firm. They understood the company’s leadership, culture or organization structure It is clear that they understand and could apply the concepts and model.

Internal Environment Value Chain and VIRO (30%)

Analysis did not correctly identify the firms abilities or use the models.

Analysis superficially identified and evaluated some of components involved in the Value chain.

Analysis correctly identified and evaluated most of firm’s value chian, but limited understanding of the weaknesses of the firm.

Analysis indicates a thorough understanding of the firm’s abilities both strengths and weaknesses .Accurately demonstrated an understanding of how the models.

Quality of Data and Analysis

25%

Report provided little specific industry and firm data. Few observations. Narrow scope. The analysis did not provide a strengths and weakness Limited data sources used and logic is not complete. Lack of understanding of the material. Many logic errors that made following the logic of the write-up difficult.

Some data, but very superficial. Few observations and little if any interpretation. Identified few abilities and opportunities and threats. The logic was incomplete and had some major holes. Limited understanding of the models. Some logic errors and resulting argument was weak. Few sources.

Some non-obvious observations, sometimes interpreted well. Good Data and observations, but needs more analysis. Identified some elements The analysis provided adequate rationale for the these. Few logic holes with the beginnings of comprehensive understanding of the firm. Strong argument. Good data.

Excellent data and well researched, Many issues observed in depth. Reasonable interpretations of observations. Identified a number of abilities and external factors.. The analysis used well-reasoned supporting arguments. Strong understanding of the concepts and the organization. Virtually no logic errors and resulting excellent arguments. Wide variety of sources

Sub-total for Analysis

Writing (10%)

Category (Weight)

1

2

3

4

Score

Grammar/spel-ling

5 %

Many errors that interfered with understanding the write-up.

Many errors, but the write-up was generally understandable.

Some errors, but the write-up was very understandable.

Very few errors and very understandable.

Use of exhibits and bibliography, presentation

5%

No exhibits included. Disorganized and not clearly labeled sections

Few exhibits included, but only general reference made to the exhibits. Some organization (headings, labels, table of contents, framing paragraphs)

Appropriate exhibits included each of which was referred at an appropriate point in the write-up. Good organization (headings, labels, table of contents, framing and summary paragraphs )

Included exhibits that were very well designed and each was skillfully used in reinforcing the arguments in the write-up. Good organization (headings, labels, table of contents, framing and summary paragraphs )

Sub-total for Writing

Total

Strategic Analysis (75%)

Category (Weight)

1

2

3

4

Score

Income Statement Analysis and Quarter Performance

(15%)

Analysis did not identify and evaluate major trends or changes in the income statement or quarters.

Analysis identified and some of the major trends in the income statement.

Analysis identified and evaluated most of the major trends in the Income Statement and Quarters. Another Firm was used for comparison.

Analysis thoroughly identified major trends and evaluated reasons for changes or the lack of changes. Industry was used as a comparison. Demonstrated that they understood why changes occurred.

Balance Sheet Analysis

(15%)

Analysis did not identify and evaluate major trends or changes in the Balance Sheet.

Analysis identified and some of the major trends in the Balance Sheet.

Analysis identified and evaluated most of the major trends in the Balance Sheet. Another Firm was used for comparison.

Analysis thoroughly identified major trends and evaluated reasons for changes or the lack of changes. Industry was used as a comparison. Demonstrated that they understood why changes occurred.

Ratio Analysis & Industry Comparison

(20%)

Analysis did not fully identify and evaluate the firm’s ratios.

Analysis identified and some of the major trends in the Ratios.

Analysis identified and evaluated most of the major trends in the Ratios. Another Firm was used for comparison.

Analysis thoroughly identified major trends and evaluated reasons for changes or the lack of changes. Industry was used as a comparison. Demonstrated that they understood why changes occurred and what the numbers meant to the firm.

Share Price and Business Unit Analysis (10%)

Analysis identified the share price, but did not account for Business unit analysis.

Analysis identified trend in share price.

Analysis considered multiple indicators for share price movement or lack. Discussion of analysts opinion was included.

Analysis clearly identified what was happening in the share prices and what was happening in the strategic business units.

Strategic Discussion of Financial Data

(15%)

The analysis did not provide a strengths and weakness or opinion and/or recommendation.

The analysis provided a weak discussion of strengths and weakness, opinion and/or recommendation.

The analysis provided an adequate rationale for the findings from the financial analysis.

The analysis provided well-reasoned supporting arguments in the discussion of strengths and weakness, opinion, and/or recommendation.

Sub-total for Analysis

Writing and Logic (25%)

Category (Weight)

1

2

3

4

Score

Grammar/spel-ling/writing style (5%)

Many errors that interfered with understanding the write-up. Writing flow was incomprehensible.

Many errors, but the write-up was generally understandable. Writing flow was difficult.

Some errors, but the write-up was very understandable.

Very few errors and very understandable.

Logic

(10%)

Many logic errors that made following the logic of the write-up difficult. Poor understanding of the Financial Analysis.

Many errors, but the general argument and finding were understandable. Students just reported numbers.

Some logic errors, but there was little difficulty understanding the arguments and findings. Students interpreted numbers.

Virtually no logic errors and resulting argument and findings were very strong. Students used numbers to make arguments and indicate findings.

Use of exhibits

(10 %)

Not all exhibits included.

Appropriate exhibits included, but only general reference made to the exhibits.

Appropriate exhibits included each of which was referred at an appropriate point in the write-up.

Included exhibits that were very well designed and each was skillfully used in reinforcing the arguments in the write-up

Sub-total for Writing

Total