Week 6

1. What is meant by the term „External Analysis‟? What is the purpose of„PESTLE‟ analysis?

External analysis is the studying of marco and meso environment of business organization, in other words it is the study of factors outside of the organization. Unlike internal environment , an organization has only a little or almost no control over its external environment. Hence it is a must for any organization to conduct external analysis.

The purpose of PESTEL analysis is to take a more in depth looks at the overall external environment, to a normal person without PESTEL analysis they can see only competitors competing against them. However through PESTEL analysis one can understand we can see opportunities and threats as well.  Through PESTEL analysis we will be able to make a more detailed business strategies.

2. Read the article about Big Mart Super Store – what external
issues are the Super Markets would have to consider at this
time to have competitive advantage over others?
http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/08/01/business/bigmart-to-open-seven-stores-in-kathmandu-by-
2012/358057.html

After conducting PESTLE analysis of supermarket industry in Nepal i have come up with following results.

Political	Economical	Social	Technology	Environment	Legal
-Degree of government interference -Government instability -political parties problems	- Economic growth - cost of living - Interest rate - Inflation rate	- Cultural norms - Demographic	-R&D activities  - Information system	- climate  -Go green issue -  energy	- Consumer laws - Health and safety laws

From the above results we need to identify what will be our opportunity and limitations. Most of the threats and limitations of supermarkets industry in Nepal lies in political environment. According to many news reports and business journals the level of government red-tape and bureaucracy is every high when starting a business and expanding it. The interference from political parties is also very high, political party affiliated unions has been creating trouble in many different industry in Nepal including the supermarket stores .  

Besides this there are also some limitations in economic sector, inflation is around 10.4% according to latest government figures . This may effect the purchasing power of customers, the interest rate for business loan is also high Nepal Rastra Bank (central bank of Nepal) currently fix the borrowing rate for business loan is at 14%, this high interest rates may create problems in raising capital to expand branches in future.

Despite this there are also many opportunities despite the high inflation, there is growing level of middle income family group. The demographics in Nepal is also changing there are now smaller younger family with both spouses as working professions with higher disposable income. Unlike their parents they are more into convenience shopping in super markets. Technologically speaking there are many local software companies who are now capable of creating custom made Information System for supermarket that is tailored made for Nepalese market. IS not only streamlines the operation of supermarket but because it is locally made it saves a lot of money, IS can cost millions of dollars if done by a foreign IT companies

By carefully making a business strategy by taking the stated opportunity and threats into consideration , Big Mart in Nepal can gain competitive advantages over its rivals. .

Refernces


Mindtools . 2012. SWOT Analysis Discover New Opportunities. Manage and Eliminate Threats. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm. [Accessed 17 December 12].

PESTEL Analysis . 2012. PESTEL Analysis. [ONLINE] Available at: http://pestleanalysis.com/. [Accessed 17 December 12]. 

 

Week 5

Post  3 recent strategy job adverts on your Learning Journal. You can do these as one entry or three separate journal entries

Source http://www.jobsnepal.com/jobs.php?method=JobDetail&JobID=71335 (last accessed Dec 10 2012)

http://www.jobsnepal.com/jobs.php?method=JobDetail&JobID=71335 (last assessed 10 Dec 2012 )

                Source :- http://www.merojob.com/hotjob/DECADE_International_Vacancy_987.html#.UMiS4eRlJRU (last assessed 11 Dec 2012)

2. Discuss these jobs (or you can think about all the jobs from today). What kind of skills and traits do you need to get a job as a strategist? Were there any jobs that

you would consider applying for in the future? (explain why, or why not)

A good strategic needs to work well with the rest of the team in order to implement decision hence I should be a good team player.  As a strategist I also need to ensure there is flow of information to all level of organization so I need to be a good communicator as well. Finally I as a strategist should not only make a strategy but I need to implement what I planned as well..

I will consider apply for the 3rd job for the post of marketing manager Decade International from the 3rd picture. First and foremost that strategic job was related to marketing. Besides being the field of interest for me , marketing is also my major for my Bachelors Degree. I can also meet there education requirement easily  and there required experience is only 2 years which i think i can gain by doing internship after graduation.

. What do you want to do when you have finished this course? What skills do you
want to improve in the next year in order to help you reach your goals?

I am considering to join marketing and advertising industry by joining a Ad agency to work as marketing communicator/manager  . It is a known fact that it is one of the most lucrative industry currently and i want to get a fair share of this industry. Currently i feel that i am lacking behind in speaking and presentation skills , these are very essential for marketing. Although I have gain a lot of theoretical  knowledge in marketing , i want to improve my presentation and speaking skills in coming months.

Try and post one advert to the blog – try to make sure it’s new and not already
posted. Put a note in your learning journal entry if you managed to do this

Job Opportunity

Islington College a leading education providing top class  IT and Business degree with partnership with UK university is looking for young , dynamic and motivated talent to expand its reach.

Post :- Marketing Coordinator (1)

Responsibilities -          Analyzing of current  sales trends in education industry -          Regular marketing activities -          Studying the viability of student market in different cities of Nepal , for future expansion -          Formulating a strategic plan for future market in different cities of Nepal ( The marketing coordinator will be directly reporting to the marketing director with regular updates and feedbacks. This job requires frequent travelling and one should be prepared to travel to different cities across Nepal in regular basis )

Qualification -          Minimum  Bachelors in Business Administration  preferably marketing specialization, other specialization also acceptable -          Experience minimum  2years for BBA and 1 year MBA(Marketing), those with corporate marketing experience will be highly preferred   -          Ability to use internet ,email and office is a MUST -          Age 21-35

Remuneration -          Salary is negotiable and there will be no bar for talented and deserving candidates. -          Extra travel and living allowances will be compensated when travelling outside Kathmandu. -          Health benefits -          Extra bonus when sales target is reached

Post your CV to our mailing address Kamal Pokhari , Kathmandu Nepal  PO BOX 2321 No telephone inquires will be entertained

References
Dr Gurutej . 2012. Strategies Choices and Impacts. [ONLINE] Available at: http://fserver.islingtoncollege.edu.np/. [Accessed 12 December 12]
 
JobsNepal. 2012. JobsNepal. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.jobsnepal.com/jobs.php?method=JobDetail&JobID=71335. [Accessed 05 December 12]. 

Week 4

1.      Who is a strategist? Describe the main types of jobs that have a strong strategy element

Strategists in action

Strategists are key group of people that takes actions and decisions to help the organization to reach its goals. The consists of  senior executive team, middle and front line managers , specialists , consultants and academicians .There are many different types of job that have strategy elements and in most cases those job title don’t even have the title “strategy”.  For example CEO, executive director , consultant , managing director etc.

2 What’s the difference between a strategic planner and a strategy consultant? (use your own words or referenced quotes)

Strategic planner is done in house by the organization own management team, It collects and analyze information that they obtain. Strategic plan is usually formulated as a special project.

Strategy consultant is from external organization that is specialized in strategy management. They generalize various options for its clients and advice the best move. Experience and knowledge of consultant is transferred to its client, and they help to implement strategic change in its client organization.

3.What were your answers to question 1 and 2 on the group exercise this week?

 


Business Leader:  Min Bahadur Gurung : He started with one room shop, fire burned down his shop and was uninsured and had to sell his wife jewels off in order to recoup what he lost in fire.Eventually  with hard work and good vision he is now owner of Bhatbhateni Super Market, the biggest department store in Nepal with numerous branch with billions of rupees turnover. 

Inventor or scientist:  Steve Jobs:  He might not be a scientist per se , but he was the brains behind all the innovative product that Apple Inc produced .He also had vision ahead of his competitors , he was able to envision the importance of people wanting music,internet, camera , gaming and work in a  phone so he came with Iphone smartphone. Hence for me his is one of the greatest inventor in modern age.

Sport manger: Sir Alex Ferguson: : He is the football manager for Manchester United , he has been in that club for last 26years and have brought so much success. What i admire about him is his excellent man management skills and his great talent in scouting potential in people. 

Civil Right Campaigner: Anuradha Koirala: the founder of Maiti Nepal who fights for women and children rights.  She is fearless and does not hesitate to go to border of Nepal-India herself to stop trafficking of women and childern. She was the winner of CNN hero award. 

: 

Writer Endi Blyton :- She was a famous children story writer . Personally growing up i used to read a lot of her story books. Her series of famous five was one of my earliest memories that i had when i was actually interested in reading  

Question 2

I am looking to be a business strategy in future currently my lack of experience is a real disadvantage but in coming year i am hoping to learn a lot from this module 

3.You need to start preparing for week 5. See if you can find your first strategy job advert right now and post it as a picture or attachment to this weeks learning journal entry 

source :- http://www.jobsnepal.com/jobs.php?method=JobDetail&JobID=71335

Source :- http://www.jobsnepal.com/jobs.php?method=JobDetail&JobID=67507

References
Dr Gurutej . 2012. Strategies Choices and Impacts. [ONLINE] Available at: http://fserver.islingtoncollege.edu.np/. [Accessed 05 December 12]

JobsNepal. 2012. JobsNepal. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.jobsnepal.com/jobs.php?method=JobDetail&JobID=71335. [Accessed 05 December 12].