Class Meeting Summary and Group Project Instructions

Introduction

• Casual greetings and check-in among the group members: Christina, Katie, and Marina.

• Discussion about project submissions and extensions in the class.

Group Project Overview

• Group project teams have been posted in the week 16 module on D2L.

• Teams were randomly assigned to avoid instructor biases, making it equal for all.

• Importance of contacting team members promptly to start collaboration.

• Discussion about preferred communication methods:

• Email vs. D2L communication tools.

• Decision to create groups in D2L for easier interaction.

Group Dynamics Expectations

• All team members are expected to contribute equally to the group project.

• Importance of quick responses (within 48 hours) from team members to foster collaboration.

• Process for handling unresponsive members:

• If no reply by the deadline, inform the instructor to take necessary actions.

• Possible removal of non-contributing members from the group.

• Encouragement to share workload appropriately among team members.

Project Focus: Nike

• The project will analyze Nike, which is currently facing challenges in the market.

• Recent changes in leadership and business strategy have resulted in decreased market value and company struggles.

• Importance of using current events and data for the analysis.

• Relevance of external environment factors impacting the company (political, economic, etc.).

Project Sections Overview

• Outline of sections required for the group project report:

1. History of the Company

2. Industry Competitors Identification

3. Macro Environment Analysis (PESTLE)

4. Industry Analysis (Five Forces model)

5. Financial Health

6. Organizational Analysis (Mission, Vision, Core values)

7. SWOT Analysis & Recommendations

• Emphasis on the need for structured sections in report writing to aid clarity during grading.

• Financial analysis should include a comparison with industry averages and historical data.

• The SWOT Analysis should address current challenges and provide feasible recommendations for the company.

Submission Details

• Deadline for the final project and presentation is May 4.

• It is advised to complete the written report by May 1 to allocate time for presentation preparation.

• Recommendations for members on how to divide presentation tasks efficiently.

• Encouragement to present professionally, with video recordings included.

Corporate Strategies Introduction

• Transition into discussing corporate-level strategies, focusing on growth and efficiency.

• Key concepts introduced include:

• Concentration: Growth within the same industry.

• Horizontal Integration: Merging with or acquiring other companies in the same industry.

• Vertical Integration: Controlling supply chain processes either upstream or downstream.

• Diversification: Entering new industries, either related or unrelated to existing business operations.

• Explanation of advantages and disadvantages for each strategy:

• Concentration: Less risk, tighter focus.

• Horizontal Integration: Economies of scale but can lead to monopolistic practices.

• Vertical Integration: Better control but can involve high operational costs.

• Diversification: Risk reduction but requires thorough market analysis.

Conclusion and Key Reminders

• Recap of importance of team collaboration and adhering to deadlines.

• Reminder to utilize the provided resources effectively, including the analysis frameworks like the Five Forces and SWOT.

• Encouragement to enjoy the learning process during the group project.

• Confirmation of the next meeting time and ongoing support from the instructor.

Final Notes from Instructor:

• Plans to confirm group arrangements based on the merged class lists.

• Instructor will post supplementary materials on D2L for further assistance and clarity.

• Closing remarks were supportive and motivational, wishing students success in their projects.

Introduction

• Casual greetings and check-in among the group members: Christina, Katie, and Marina, fostering a positive group atmosphere.

• Discussion about project submissions and extensions in the class, including specific cases where students may need extra time due to unforeseen circumstances.

Group Project Overview

• Group project teams have been posted in the week 16 module on D2L, allowing students to see their assignments.

• Teams were randomly assigned to avoid instructor biases, ensuring a fair distribution of skills and backgrounds among group members.

• Importance of contacting team members promptly to initiate collaboration; suggestions for initial meetings to discuss project outlines were emphasized.

• Discussion about preferred communication methods:

  • Email vs. D2L communication tools, highlighting the strengths of each platform for different types of discussions.

  • Decision made to create groups in D2L for easier interaction and to facilitate quick updates among members.

Group Dynamics Expectations

• All team members are expected to contribute equally to the group project, ensuring that the workload is evenly distributed to maintain accountability.

• Importance of quick responses (within 48 hours) from team members to foster collaboration and maintain project momentum.

• Process for handling unresponsive members:

  • If no reply by the deadline, team members will document attempts to contact and inform the instructor for necessary actions.

  • Possible removal of non-contributing members from the group, ensuring that all active participants are engaged and contributing.

• Encouragement to share workload appropriately among team members, considering individual strengths to optimize overall productivity.

Project Focus: Nike

• The project will thoroughly analyze Nike, currently facing various challenges in the market, such as increased competition and changing consumer preferences.

• Recent changes in leadership and business strategy have correlated with decreased market value and overall company struggles.

• Importance of using current events and data for the analysis, including stock performance and marketing campaigns.

• Relevance of external environment factors impacting the company (political, economic, social, and technological), illustrated through real-world examples and current news articles.

Project Sections Overview

• Outline of sections required for the group project report:

  1. History of the Company

  2. Industry Competitors Identification

  3. Macro Environment Analysis (PESTLE)

  4. Industry Analysis (Five Forces model)

  5. Financial Health

  6. Organizational Analysis (Mission, Vision, Core values)

  7. SWOT Analysis & Recommendations

• Emphasis on the need for structured sections in report writing to aid clarity during grading, helping professors follow the group's logic.

• Financial analysis should include a comparison with industry averages and historical data, preparing graphs or charts for visualization.

• The SWOT Analysis should address current challenges and provide feasible recommendations for the company, including innovative strategies for growth.

Submission Details

• Deadline for the final project and presentation is May 4, giving ample time for review and adjustments.

• It is advised to complete the written report by May 1 to allocate time for presentation preparation and rehearsal.

• Recommendations for members on how to divide presentation tasks efficiently, suggesting roles based on comfort with public speaking and content expertise.

• Encouragement to present professionally, with video recordings included for quality assessment, ensuring a well-rehearsed delivery.

Corporate Strategies Introduction

• Transition into discussing corporate-level strategies, focusing on growth, efficiency, and the alignment with company objectives.

• Key concepts introduced include:

  • Concentration: Growth within the same industry, leveraging existing strengths.

  • Horizontal Integration: Merging with or acquiring other companies in the same industry to enhance market share.

  • Vertical Integration: Controlling supply chain processes either upstream (suppliers) or downstream (distributors) for better operational control.

  • Diversification: Entering new industries, either related or unrelated to existing business operations, to mitigate risks and capture new markets.

• Explanation of advantages and disadvantages for each strategy, with examples from well-known companies:

  • Concentration: Less risk, tighter focus; R&D investment in a niche market.

  • Horizontal Integration: Economies of scale but can lead to monopolistic practices; antitrust concerns can arise.

  • Vertical Integration: Better control but can involve high operational costs; case studies on manufacturers integrating suppliers.

  • Diversification: Risk reduction but requires thorough market analysis; firms branching into tech and lifestyle sectors.

Conclusion and Key Reminders

• Recap of the importance of team collaboration, timely contributions, and adhering to deadlines to ensure project success.

• Reminder to utilize the provided resources effectively, including the analysis frameworks like the Five Forces and SWOT, to guide decision-making.

• Encouragement to embrace the learning process during the group project, fostering personal and professional development.

• Confirmation of the next meeting time and ongoing support from the instructor, inviting questions and offering additional resources as needed.

Final Notes from Instructor:

• Plans to confirm group arrangements based on the merged class lists, checking for any conflicts or changes.

• Instructor will post supplementary materials on D2L for further assistance and clarity, including examples of past successful projects.

• Closing remarks were supportive and motivational, wishing students success in their projects and encouraging them to reach out with any concerns.