Purpose of the Assessment

Purpose of the Assessment The purpose of this assignment is to a) test the student’s knowledge of the core concepts, models and frameworks taught in" rel="nofollow">in the module and relevant to the strategy process b) allow the student to apply their learnin" rel="nofollow">ing in" rel="nofollow">in the module to date in" rel="nofollow">in a case study analysis and to present their fin" rel="nofollow">indin" rel="nofollow">ings in" rel="nofollow">in a high level board manner that captures the key issues Assessment Task You are required to read the case on Richard Branson and the Virgin" rel="nofollow">in Group and prepare a 15 min" rel="nofollow">inute board level Powerpoin" rel="nofollow">int presentation that addresses the followin" rel="nofollow">ing questions: 1. Usin" rel="nofollow">ing appropriate academic models and concepts identify and discuss the chief in" rel="nofollow">internal and external factors that have in" rel="nofollow">influenced the Virgin" rel="nofollow">in Group and the strategies employed up to the time of the case. (30%) 2. Critically assess whether, in" rel="nofollow">in your opin" rel="nofollow">inion, there was any evidence that Richard Branson and his group management team followed a consistent strategy or not in" rel="nofollow">in the major in" rel="nofollow">investments. If so, what sort of approach might it have been based upon, and what was the role of the Virgin" rel="nofollow">in head office function? (40%) 3. Drawin" rel="nofollow">ing on resources such as FT.com, update your audience on any new Virgin" rel="nofollow">in Group activities sin" rel="nofollow">ince the case, commentin" rel="nofollow">ing on whether or not subsequent major in" rel="nofollow">investments fit in" rel="nofollow">in with your fin" rel="nofollow">indin" rel="nofollow">ings from Q2 above, or if there was any other strategic rationale. (30%) The case is available on NILE with extra in" rel="nofollow">information at: http://lib.myilibrary.com/Open.aspx?id=769583 Please prepare your submission as a Powerpoin" rel="nofollow">int document, usin" rel="nofollow">ing the notes option puttin" rel="nofollow">ing any narrative or explanatory notes underneath the slide itself. Be conscious about the maximum time allowed, and therefore the number of slides you need to create, if you were to deliver the presentation verbally. Brevity, clarity and key strategic thin" rel="nofollow">inkin" rel="nofollow">ing is key, showin" rel="nofollow">ing that you have understood the essence of the case and can communicate effetcivey with supportin" rel="nofollow">ing evidence. This will be good practice for case analysis and communicatin" rel="nofollow">ing your ideas. Your Powerpoin" rel="nofollow">int document should be submitted via Turnitin" rel="nofollow">in (see below) Assessment Breakdown The percentages above in" rel="nofollow">indicate the weightin" rel="nofollow">ing given to each section. Assessment Submission To submit your work, please go to the ‘Submit your work’ area of the Module NILE site. It is important that you submit your work to the correct module NILE site, and that your work is submitted on time. An appoin" rel="nofollow">intment will be made for you to deliver the presentation, either in" rel="nofollow">in person or via Skype. Assessment Guidance You will be expected to read the case several times to make sure you understand the context, grasp the detail and then review the key elements usin" rel="nofollow">ing the key strategy models to go through the strategy process, drawin" rel="nofollow">ing on evidence from the case to justify your views. You should carry out further research on The Virgin" rel="nofollow">in Group, however you must only use material drawn from credible sources such as: academic articles and texts;; quality newspaper and busin" rel="nofollow">iness periodicals, e.g., the FT, The Economist and the official Virgin" rel="nofollow">in website. You should not use unreliable sources such as non-reviewed websites, e.g., Wikipedia. Academic Practice This is an in" rel="nofollow">individual assignment. The University of Northampton policy will apply in" rel="nofollow">in all cases of copyin" rel="nofollow">ing, plagiarism or any other methods by which students have obtain" rel="nofollow">ined (or attempted to obtain" rel="nofollow">in) an unfair advantage. Support and guidance on assessments and academic in" rel="nofollow">integrity can be found from the followin" rel="nofollow">ing resources • SkillsHub: http://skillshub.northampton.ac.uk • CfAP: http://skillshub.northampton.ac.uk/centre-for-achievement-and-performance-cfap/ Learnin" rel="nofollow">ing outcomes The learnin" rel="nofollow">ing outcomes bein" rel="nofollow">ing addressed through this assignment are: Knowledge and Understandin" rel="nofollow">ing c) Recognise, consider and address macro-economic trends in" rel="nofollow">in a changin" rel="nofollow">ing world and their impact on busin" rel="nofollow">iness whilst evaluatin" rel="nofollow">ing competitive, organisational and ethical values. Subject Specific Skills e) Develop appropriate policies and strategies within" rel="nofollow">in a changin" rel="nofollow">ing environment for a variety of organisations, to meet stakeholder in" rel="nofollow">interests. Key Skills f) Develop and demonstrate key communication and time management skills. h) Demonstrate critical thin" rel="nofollow">inkin" rel="nofollow">ing and creativity: engage the creative processes in" rel="nofollow">in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise alternative strategies and choices.