1. Briefly synthesize the key information presented in the case

2. Apply the historical and current theoretical marketing frameworks to analyze the situation

3. Identify the central strategic marketing issues and decisions needed to be made at the organization, business unit, or product level.

4. Identify viable alternatives to strategic decision making and discuss their consequences,

5. Defend one of the alternatives as the most appropriate for the company at the time of the case scenario.

6. Provide a reasonable implementation plan or how success will be measured. Explain a viable contingency plan.

7. Express all ideas clearly and logically in formal professional business English (written)

 

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“You work for Pendragon Plc. in its acquisitions department. Pendragon is continually assessing the possible takeover of other automotive dealers and is currently considering a major acquisition.

Write a report advising your director on the suitability of acquiring Lookers. You should focus on the market position and financial strength of Lookers, some of your colleagues are already focusing on potential synergies, the possible deal structure and the potential bidding price. You should use the CORE Strategic Financial Analysis approach and compare Lookers’ financial performance with that of Pendragon itself. Recommend whether you think such an acquisition would be a good move for Pendragon.”

Breakdown of the word count:

–Executive Summary 250 words (Enter this at the beginning of the report, clear description of what the report is about and method of analysis. Also, key conclusion and recommendations.

Report 2,000 words total (breakdown below) CORE ANALYSIS

–Context- (Internal and external) 20% of the paper

– focus on the competitive intensity in the market sector (any changes?). What is the strategy to deal with this? Any key events relevant to the companies themselves? Highlight issues that will help you interpret the financials – so strategy, investment and exceptional expenditure worth some discussion. Any acquisitions or disposals? What changes in number of dealerships?

–Overview10% of the paper

-Table “key figures” and trends, but needs a narrative! Would graphs make important trends more clear? Does the overview raise any questions to be answered by subsequent ratio analysis?

–Ratios- Calculation30% of the paper

– When interpreting ratios, look for links and trade-offs between ratio trends. E.g. for profitability – consider change in ROCE first and then explain movement in that by drilling down into secondary ratios.

–Ratios- Discussion30% of the paper

Enough ratios to explain the performance fully – but not “every ratio. Comment on their absolute level, as well as trends and comparison to benchmarks (for some key ratios with other companies in the same sector). EXPLAIN ANY LIMITATIONS

–Evaluation/Conclusion- 10% of the paper

– Conclude from ratio analysis with a clear emphasis on the purpose of report. Include information regarding final decision.

Additional Information regarding CORE Analysis:

–For ratio analysis you can use profitability rations, liquidity rations, capital structure ratios, investment ratios, and other ratios useful for the analysis (examples, CORE, EBIT, ROE,INVENTORY, ACCOUNT RECIABLES, CAPEX, NUMBER OF DEALERS, GEARING, CASH FLOW)

–make sure you state if you are using adjusted or non-adjusted figures for the ratios and please include ratio calculations in the appendix.

-For historical performance: mainly compare 2018 with 2017 for Lookers and benchmark key ratios against Pendragon. You can use graphs, tables and figures relating to the ratios.

-Be careful how you treat Directors suggestions of “underlying profits” – are they justified? What do you think?

-For comparison with market and sector ratios you can use the one’s provided from the FT or other sources.

-When assessing “historical performance” ensure you only use economic/market “context” that is relevant to 2017 and 2018 operations.

-Are “investment ratios” relevant for all users of accounts?

– Overall neatly presented report that is appropriate for the recipient. Includes appropriate graphs, diagrams and tables (small ones in the report, large ones in appendices). Good referencing (HARVARD STYLE)

– Make enough links back to the overview and context to help explain changes in financial terms and then in terms of actual operations and commercial environment (e.g. strategy changes, re-organisations, cost savings, acquisitions).

 

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MGMT 303 Principles of Management Final Exam

 

 

Week 8 Final Exam (Version 2)

Multiple Choice

1. Question : (TCO1) A CEO of a local newspaper has noticed that the advertising and subscription revenue has been decreasing. The CEO sets a goal of stopping the decline. The CEO is engaged in

2. Question : (TCO 2) State supported universities receive money from state tax payers. Harvard University'sendowment is so large that Harvard is guaranteed significant income just from the interest the fund generates.The ____ dimension of these competitors is different.

3. Question : (TCO 2) The expiration of a pharmaceutical drug patent allows generic drug makers to introducethe same chemical compound under a different name and at lower prices. This is an example of ____ for thedeveloper of the original drug.

4. Question : (TCO3) New York passed a law requiring no smoking in bars and restaurants. Owners who pressure bartenders and waiters to sell to people who are smoking in order to keep profits high are taking a(n)____ stance toward social responsibility.

5. Question : (TCO4) Coca-Cola is based out of Atlanta but reaches into hundreds of countries. The product is locally packaged, but the cola inside is essentially the same throughout the world. Coca-Cola is edging closer to being a(n) ____ business.

6. Question : (TCO4) Eric, an American, is an executive coach at Boeing. One of the executives he coaches is from India. Their diverse backgrounds add variety and create more solutions for management challenges. This illustrates the ____ argument.

7. Question : (TCO5) The ____ of Applebee's is to gain “weekly repeat guests through providing surprisingly friendly hospitality, superior quality food, and world class service and value.”

8. Question : (TCO5) GE competes in industries ranging from medical devices to appliances to television networks. GE's mixed strategy is an example of ____ strategy.

9. Question : (TCO6) Jay wants to start a new business. With which of the following methods of starting a new business will he pay a share of the income from the business in return for the use of such things as trademarks and business formulas?

10. Question : (TCO7) Sears has departments for clothing, tools, jewelry, and home goods. This is an example of departmentalization by

11. Question : (TCO7) Andrea had worked in the marketing department for 27 years. She knows the history and successes of the office better than any other employee. When change is suggested, she is reluctant because she remembers accomplishments related to the current way of doing things. As a result of ____, she is resistant to change.

12. Question : (TCO8) Fairway Green Inc. has added a lucrative retirement plan for its employees that includes medical benefits for

retirees. These benefits target which level of need in Maslow's hierarchy?

13. Question : (TCO8) A mid-level manager has power within an organization due to the management position she occupies. This kind of power is known as ____ power.

14. Question : (TCO9) You are a member of a self-managed team; the team has been experiencing interpersonal conflict among its members. Which of the following techniques could you use to eliminate the interpersonal conflict that is occurring within the self-managed team?

15. Question : (TCO10) The credit crisis and the Federal Reserve's response to it faced criticism from Congress. The Treasury Department requested a review of the central bank's structure and governance. There is now broad support for auditing the Fed using the Government Accounting Office. The change in the economic and political environment of the Fed means the Fed needs to adapt its ____ control.

 

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Problem: Write a short essay to answer the question “What is the difference between Creativity and Innovation?”

Instructions to follow:
– Your essay should have 1000 to 1500 words;
– You have to refer to at least 3 scientific articles;
– Your writing should be professional, error free, and conform to appropriate rules of English.

 

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