To complete this assignment, pick one of these companies: Intel, McKesson, or Wa

ID: 385887 • Letter: T

Question

To complete this assignment, pick one of these companies: Intel, McKesson, or Walmart, and explore their website to answer each of the below questions. Many times, the following website sections will contain the type of information required: about us, corporate governance/leadership, investor relations, sustainability/social responsibility, and media relations. If any of the pages or sections are not made apparent, you could also search for information using the company's search box which will sometimes provide a link to a page several layers into their website.

Provide your answers with a separate, numbered response to correspond to each of the following items:

Define the three types of planning for this company and identify the related level of management responsible for each type of plan. Assuming that you were a manager at each level, identify what your role would be in the planning process.

Briefly describe the mission of your chosen company using your own words. Next, conduct a SWOT analysis and identify at least one (1) of each of the following: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats either in a table format or a list. The information used in your internal analysis and external analysis can usually found by reviewing the Annual Report (see Investor Relations section), Corporate Governance section, as well as the consumer section of the website.

Based on the results of your SWOT analysis, develop at least one strategy which will accomplish the organization’s mission. Make sure to identify if your strategy is based on a business-level or on a corporate-level approach and explain the type selected (i.e. cost leadership, etc.). Next, provide at least one example of a related tactical plan which would be developed by middle management to support your strategy and an example of at least one operational plan developed by operational management that will support the tactical plan.

The intent of the managers involved in the planning and operation of an organization is for the process to occur without incident or interruption. In reality, there could always be an issue, situation, or crisis which could change the original timeline or planned outcome. When this occurs, a well-prepared manager will have a contingency or crisis management plan available. Based on your strategy developed in the third requirement, outline a contingency plan which would address the inability to implement the strategy based on a specific event (e.g. natural disaster, economic downturn. increased competition, etc.).

Explanation / Answer

A. The three types of planning at Wal-Mart are as follows:

1. Strategic planning

2. Tactical Planning

3. Operational planning

The strategic planning at Walmart would be done by President and CEO of Wal-Mart International.

The role played by the president and CEO would include the following:

· Define the next target countries for business expansion and entry in those countries. Based on the market information, global economic data, and after analysis study Growth rate of various countries.

· He would also be primarily responsible to present the strategy for business expansion to the board of directors.

· He would also assign the global expansion plans to various key team members like the head of business development, head of the supply chain, and head of finance to make a project report for presenting to the board on the cost-benefit analysis of the strategy planned.

· He has to ensure the bottom-line of the organization is maintained within the framework and laid down policies.

The tactical plan is the plan each department would make according to the strategic planning of the organization. In case of Wal-Mart, once the market expansion plan is shared the supply chain team, the business development team, the finance team will start working on the tactical plan to finalize the steps to enter the planned country. It would include finalizing the business partner, options in terms of locations, the resources required, the workforce allocation etc.

The tactical planning will be done by second level managers with the head of each division. They would break the strategic planning into many tactical plans to work on the most cost-effective and efficient methods to enter the new country.

The role would include the following:

· Creating a work breakdown structure

· Make the project plan.

· Define manpower and resources required

· Plan the increase in supplies.

· Plan the logistics.

· Inform the Director of potential risks and any contingency plans required.

The operation planning will be done at the lower management level whereby each task is assigned with deadlines. Setting up the Shanghai store in China by December 2018. The operation team will be asked to submit a plan get budget a approved and move on the task to achieve the deadline given. The role of the manager here is to ensure that his team works together to achieve the deadline. He has to highlight in case he feels it will be delayed.

The mission of Wal-Mart is “to help people save money so that they can have a better life.” They achieve this by giving good discounts bundled offers and many weekdays and weekend offer to provide goods at less price.

Their SWOT analysis is as follows:

SWOT

Strengths

Largest multi-brand retailer in the world with extensive market reach and scale of operations. As of 2017, they have 2.3 million employees

Weaknesses

There reputation for not treating the employees properly and they are known to put small stores out of business.

Opportunities

They can enter countries in Africa and Asia and could also add on a range of medical supplies to their existing supply chain.

Threats

Extensive competition from retail chains like Target and Costco. There negative image of paying fewer wages and making workforce work extra hours.

The strategic or corporate level pan would be to expand their base and number of retail stores in China. The strategy is based on a business level approach. It is made to add value to customers, increase market penetration and gain a competitive advantage.

They follow a cost leadership strategy because of the following reasons:

· Bargain good prices with suppliers because of bulk buying

· Having a large customer base due to a large customer base and global presence.

· Low operational and overhead costs passed on to the end customers

Value deals are offered daily and the customers get good prices and save money which is their mission statement helping customers save money and improve their standard of living.

The tactical plan based on the strategy to enter China will identify the key locations and make a Work breakdown structure with deadlines and schedule. The entire plan will be uploaded for management approval to the respective country head who will get approvals and finalize key locations, manpower requirement, supplies required, logistics planning, warehousing, etc.

The operations team will be given specific tasks with deadlines as follows:

· Appoint 15 management trainees by 15th October-Task assigned to China HR manager

· The store opening date is 31, December 2018-Task assigned to Shanghai project manager

· The stocks should be in the warehouse by 29th November 2018-Task assigned to Asia supply chain manager.

· The furniture should be in place by 25th September 2018.-Tsak assigned to assistant manager interiors based out of China

The contingency plan in case of a natural disaster near the Atlantic Ocean and the goods are on the high sea.

The supply chain manager will immediately make a list of excess supplies in neighboring areas and warehouses of suppliers and start moving goods immediately to China. Many goods on high sea going to south-east Asia and the middle east will be diverted to China to ensure the Shanghai outlet will be operational as per deadline. It would increase the cost by 30% but it can be made up by the end of the first calendar year. It is critical to open a store on time to maintain brands credibility and reputation.