STrategic plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

STrategic plan - Assignment Example It has background in events sponsorship through the MINI Challenge. However, so far, MINI Australia has not yet had exposure to the gym and fitness industry. This report explores the possibility for the creation of the MINI chain of gyms throughout Australia, and analyses the potential success of this project for the purpose of securing the participation of other investors in this long-term undertaking. Analysis of external environment Prior to considering the company’s internal capabilities, it is necessary to look at the Australian automotive industry as a whole. The automotive industry is comprised of two sectors, namely the automotive manufacturing sector and the automotive retail, services and repair sector. The automotive manufacturing sector is dominated by three large vehicle manufacturers (i.e. General Motors, Ford and Toyota), as well as three large truck manufacturers (i.e., IVECO, Kenworth, and Volvo Commercial Vehicles). The automotive manufacturing sector produce s for both the domestic market as well as for the export market; in 2008, production totalled 324,684, or which just slightly over 50% (162,728) vehicles were sold locally, and the remaining 161,956 were exported. In that year, automotive industry exports rose by 14%, with the largest target export market being the Middle East, accounting for 38.1% of export sales. (MSA, 2009). PESTLE Analysis Political Australia is a mature democracy supported by a stable economy. While it has a stable party system, the ruling parties have not historically enjoyed clear majorities in the Senate (Parliament’s upper house). This disadvantage may cause some barriers or introduce delays in having important bills passed. Furthermore, in the recent 2010 election yielded inconclusive results that ushered in once more a coalition government, casting widespread doubts on the ability of this administration to remain in power for the full extent of its three year term (BMI, 2011) Economic Australia enj oys a modern and stable economy backed by a sound financial system and a workforce with a high level of education. There is continuity in policy making, which reduces investors’ risks as well as the vulnerability of the economy to regime change in the government. A measure of economic weakness is introduced, however, by the relatively high current account deficit. This increases the economy’s vulnerability to capital flows and tends to induce greater fluctuations in the currency exchange rate. This in turn causes fluctuations in the prices of commodities and increased apprehensions among the buying public. (BMI, 2011). There are likewise opportunities presented by the country’s economy, as a result of the rapid, region-wide expansion of Asian economies. The region has proven itself resilient to the recent economic recession triggered by the U.S. subprime crisis, and its strong position has created new impetus for diversification of trading ties from the core EU markets. Furthermore, Australia has a relatively lower level of government debt than most developing and developed countries, allowing it greater flexibility in the determination of fiscal policy, in order to provide support for local consumers and business until the global economy recovers from the recent downturn

Strategic Management, Organisational Strategic Analysis on Barclays Essay

Strategic Management, Organisational Strategic Analysis on Barclays PLC - Essay Example Introduction Barclays PLC is a major global financial service provider that is engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking, and wealth management with an extensive international presence – Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas (Barclays, 2011). The company has its roots in the UK, which has remained as its major market in terms of income, personnel – about 60,000 – and other resources. As a big financial services provider the company is structured as follows. First it is divided into the three major categories: (1) retail and business banking; (2) corporate and investment banking, and wealth management; and (3) group centre. The retail and business banking is further subdivided into four business segments: UK Retail and Business banking, Europe Retail and Business banking, Africa Retail and Business Banking and Barclaycard. Corporate and investment banking is subdivided into: Barclays Capital, Barclays Corporate and Barclays Wealth. Global centre comprises of all the other operations at the company’s head office (Barclays, 2012a). In 2010, the group had made a total income of  £31,440 million and had nearly 147,500 employees globally. This research paper shall focus on the company’s UK Business Banking segment.... The retail and business banking is further subdivided into four business segments: UK Retail and Business banking, Europe Retail and Business banking, Africa Retail and Business Banking and Barclaycard. Corporate and investment banking is subdivided into: Barclays Capital, Barclays Corporate and Barclays Wealth. Global centre comprises of all the other operations at the company’s head office (Barclays, 2012a). In 2010, the group had made a total income of ?31,440 million and had nearly 147,500 employees globally. This research paper shall focus on the company’s UK Business Banking segment. According to Antony Jenkins, the Chef Executive of Global Retail Banking, the company’s strategic goals are â€Å"Happy customers, strong profit growth, good returns (Barclays, 2011, p.18)†. However, this may prove to be quite a challenge considering the effects of financial crisis of 2008 and the current recession in most of Western Europe (the UK included) which ar e major markets for the company. One key change that the bank will have to contend with is increased stakeholder involvement and expectations as depicted in Appendix A. 2.0. Analysis of the Internal and External environment PESTEL analysis enables a company to analyse its macro-environment. From the macro-environment the company’s strategist can then figure out which factors are more likely to change and which amongst these will have the greatest impact on their organisation (Gillespie, 2007). Five forces analysis helps a company to understand the structure of its industry and stake out a position that is less vulnerable to attack and more profitable (Porter,