Business Strategy Reflection Essaylength2000 Words 10 Allowable E ✓ Solved

Business Strategy – Reflection Essay Length: 2,000 words (10% allowable either way, does not include title page, table of contents, appendix and references) Specific requirements: · Use a minimum of 15 references including chapter content, academic journals, papers, books sourced from the university library or other academic resources. · UseAPA7th edition or Chicago Author-Date Use either Times New Roman (12 pt), Arial (11 pt), Calibri (11 pt) · Set page margins to 2.54cm Double-space text including headings · Include page number on every page LEARNING OUTCOMES On completion of this assignment, students will be able to: 1. Evaluate strategic frameworks to inform business decision making. 2. Appraise and recommend various strategies to achieve business goals and create competitive advantage.

3. Identify, evaluate and response to risk on strategic projects. 4. Hypothesise the variation of strategic change and apply relevant approaches to change management. BRIEF Prepare a reflection essay (1,500 words) based on a business strategy you have developed or participated in implementing or supporting or a strategic analysis you have conducted ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS Reflective writing is documenting the thinking process or revisiting a practical situation and reviewing your experiences through the lenses of the concepts or theories you are studying.

In other words, reflective writing is recounting a particular experience and explore how you have changed or learned from those experiences. When engaging in reflection, you begin by recalling a situation and the thoughts and feelings you encountered during the experience. From there, you explore your beliefs, values, and attitudes that underpin these thoughts and feelings. Lastly, as you study the subject, identify one or two salient points, concepts, or theories that you can relate to your situation and discuss your insights. It is important to realise that while you are writing your reflection, the story of the incident or event is not the focus.

Rather you should focus on the insights you gained from re-examining and documenting your reactions and connecting the salient points, concepts, or theories to real-life situations. For this assignment, research and write a reflective essay based on a business strategy you have developed or participated in implementing or supporting or a strategic analysis you have conducted for an organisation or business of your choice. If you are not currently associated with a business or organisation or have not had this type of experience, you may select a recent incident or event reported in the media. When writing your reflective essay, you are not expected to review all the chapters in the subject prior to completing this assignment but rather focus on the relevant chapters that are indicated in the Key Information section of this brief.

Additionally, a reflective essay consists of a balance between your personal observations, opinions, feelings, and beliefs and conventions of academic writing, such as crafting a thesis statement and using the salient findings, concepts, or theories to support or further explain your reflection. Reflection Essay When writing your reflective essay, we suggest you use the 4Rs Model to Reflective Writing (Moon, 2006; QUT, 2010) to guide the organisational structure. Consider including the following elements in your essay 1. Introduction Paragraph For your introduction paragraph, you should include the following: a) A hook is the first sentence that sets the tone for your report. The hook should give the reader a sense of the topic you are writing about and why it is interesting. b) Provide either background information regarding the context of your experience, a summary of any key learnings you gained or introduce any salient points, concepts, or theories you will highlight in your essay. c) Thesis Statement – Include a sentence or two that summarises the main idea of your essay d) Provide a brief overview of what you have learned from your experience.

2. Reporting and Responding -Report your experience or explain what issue was involved. a) Explain the chronological story of your selected incident or event. b) Include your initial thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. c) Introduce the salient points, concepts, or theories you will use in the reflective discussion section. 3. Relating –Relate or connect between your business strategy experience with your own skills or knowledge. a) Discuss how your own beliefs, values, and attitudes influenced your thoughts and feelings. b) Explain how your incident and thoughts and feelings are connected to any salient points, concepts, or theories you have been studying. c) Discuss your current knowledge and skills that are relevant in dealing with the experience.

Did you have the skills or knowledge to deal with the issue? What skills or knowledge did you need to develop a business strategy or perform a strategic analysis? 4. Reasoning –Detail significant factors underlying the experience. a) Highlight any significant factors underlying the experience. Explain why the factors are important to understanding your specific experience or outcome. b) Connect any relevant salient points, concepts, or theories to support your reasoning. c) Are there any other perspectives you might use?

How would a knowledgeable person perceive or handle a similar situation or issue? 5. Reconstructing –Reconstruct future practice or professional understanding. a) Reflect on your experience and detail what you have learned. Explain how you would deal with the situation in the future and what might you do differently. b) Describe any different options you may use in the future. Are your ideas supported by any theories or concepts?

Provide scholarly references to support your ideas. Again, use salient points, concepts, or theories you have identified to support your ideas. c) Explain any changes you may make to benefit others. 6. Conclusion Paragraph a) Restate the main points you made in your reflection analysis. b) Summarize what you have learned and your suggestions SUGGESTED STRUCTURE The following suggested structure is provided to guide the organisation and structure of this assignment. You may use this structure or one that best features your work.

1. Cover Page 2. Introduction a) Provide an overview of the situation or event and the salient points, concepts, or theories you will use for your reflection discussion. b) Provide a brief overview of the lessons you have learned. 3. Reflective Discussion a) Report your experience or explain what issue was involved. b) Relate or connect this experience with business strategy with past experiences, skills, or knowledge. c) Detail significant factors underlying the issue or experience. d) Reconstruct future practice or professional understanding.

4. Conclusion a) Summarise your perspective or stance and reiterate your learning b) Summarise the implications for practices and future development5.List of References6.Appendix, if needed 5. List of References 6. 6.Appendix, if needed CONSIDERATIONS Upon review of your analysis, consider how you have demonstrated critical thinking. Specifically: · » Have I identified and defined the academic concepts related to the analysis task using current academic literature? · » Have I demonstrated analysis of these relevant theories, frameworks, and findings? · » Have I demonstrated an ability to apply and integrate the relevant concepts and topics in the analysis? · » Have I developed an argument and demonstrated understanding of differing points of view? · » Have I demonstrated an understanding of considerations and implications for contemporary management practice? · » Have I demonstrated an understanding of the relevance of the chosen concepts to the overall concept of contemporary leadership practices? · » Did I produce a quality essay?

Consider the balance between academic and industry sources. Week 5 Learning Resources APA Citations ANTH 104 lab 14 evolution of genus homo - A 3D model collection by Maquisapa (@Maquisapa) . (n.d.). Sketchfab. NOVA. (n.d.). Becoming human.

PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. PBS Eons. (2018, September 11). When we first walked [Video]. YouTube. PBS Eons. (2019, January 29).

The humans that lived before us [Video]. YouTube. Smithsonian Institution. (2019, January 15). Human fossils. The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program.

Smithsonian Institution. (2019, January 15). Human family tree. The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program. Warren, K., Hunter, L., Naidoo, N., Mavuso, S., Tommy, K., Moll, R., & Hlazo, N. (2019). Early hominins.

In B. Shook, K. Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L. Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology.

American Anthropological Association. Yoshida-Levine, B. (2019). Early members of the genus Homo. In B. Shook, K.

Nelson, K. Aguilera & L. Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association. Week 3 Learning Resources APA Citations Etting, S. (2019).

Meet the living primates. In B. Shook, K. Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L.

Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association. Jaffe, K. E. (2019). Primate ecology and behavior.

In B. Shook, K. Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L. Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology.

American Anthropological Association. PBS Eons. (2018, October 16). Your place in the primate family tree [Video]. YouTube. Primate Info Net . (n.d.).

Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. Primate behavior . (2019, September 25). The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program. Week 4 Learning Resources APA Citations Cooper's Ferry Site. (n.d.). The excavation process: The tools [Video].

YouTube. King, S. S. (2019). Understanding the fossil context. In B.

Shook, K. Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L. Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association.

The record of time: Chronometric techniques: Part I . (n.d.). Palomar College - Learning for Success. The record of time: Chronometric techniques: Part II . (n.d.). Week 6 Learning Resources APA Citations Chan, K. W. (2019).

Modern Homo sapiens. In B. Shook, K. Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L.

Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association. Paskey, A. W., & Cisneros, A. B. (2019).

Archaic Homo. In B. Shook, K. Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L.

Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association. PBS Eons. (2019, May 7). When we took over the world [Video]. YouTube.

PBS Eons. (2020, January 16). The Neanderthals that taught us about humanity [Video]. YouTube. Smithsonian Institution. (2019, September 16). Human evolution timeline interactive.

The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program. Wade, N. (2007, October 19). Neanderthals had important speech gene, DNA evidence shows. The New York Times. Week 7 Learning Resources APA Citations American Anthropological Association. (n.d.).

Understanding Race. Fitzpatrick, L. (2019). Human variation: An adaptive significance approach. In B. Shook, K.

Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L. Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association. Rivera, M.

B. (2019). Race and human variation. In B. Shook, K. Nelson, K.

Aguilera, & L. Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association. Week 2 Learning Resources APA Citations Alveshere, A. J. (2019).

Forces of evolution. In B. Shook, K. Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L.

Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association. Marks, J. (2019). Evolution. In B.

Shook, K. Nelson, K. Aguilera, & L. Braff (Eds.), Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association.

PBS Eons. (2019, June 11). How Evolution Works (And How We Figured It Out) [Video]. YouTube. Welcome to evolution 101! (n.d.). Understanding Evolution.

Week 1 Learning Resources APA Citations Early theories of evolution: Darwin and natural selection . (n.d.). Palomar College - Learning for Success. Shook, B., Nelson, K., Aguilera, K., & Braff, L. (2019). Explorations: An open invitation to biological anthropology. American Anthropological Association.

Human Fossil Record Report Name: ______________________ Human Fossil Record Report Due end of Week Seven Please complete all sections of this report template and submit to your online assignments folder by the due date. Provide a bibliographic list of all sources (including our course materials) used to complete your report. Part I. Comparing hominids (hominins) · Select five of the following fossil forms of early humans (or human ances tors): · Ardipithecus ramidus · Australopithecus anamensis · Australopithecus afarensis · Australopithecus sediba · Paranthropus boisei · Homo erectus · Homo heidelbergensis · Homo neanderthalensis For your selected fossil species, complete the Comparison Chart .

Please include genus and species names; time frame and geographic region for fossil species. For each of your selected fossil species, please summarize the 3 physical characteristic categories and 1 cultural category. Comparison Chart Selected species Genus and species Time frame and geographic area (continent) where found Physical characteristic: Brain size (cranial capacity) Physical characteristic: Specialized skull and anatomical features Physical characteristic: Height and weight Cultural characteristics: Tools or tool use or other evidence of culture Species 1 Species 2 Species 3 Species 4 Species 5 Note: You may not have evidence for all categories of data for each of these hominins. Where data are absent, simply leave the space blank or note that so far nothing has been found.

You may also wish to include other categories of comparison in your chart. Make sure that you cite all sources (including your course materials) used to prepare your fossil comparison chart and include in your bibliographic list of sources at end of your report. Part II. Evolutionary Relationships of Hominin Species · Time Order: List the order (or time sequence) in which your 5 selected fossil hominin species appear in the fossil record. Using the phylogenies presented in our textbook, describe the evolutionary relationships of each species to modern humans. · Based on the fossil evidence, did more than one kind of hominin live on earth at the same time?

We are currently the only type (species) of human on the planet, but has it always been this way? Use your 5 fossil selections to support your answer. · How does the hominid (hominin) fossil record show “ mosaic evolution â€? Define the term and provide an example from hominin fossil record. If possible, use example(s) from your 5 fossil selections to support your answer. Part III: Conclusions and Reflections · Trends and Patterns : Summarize major pattern or trend in physical traits of hominids (hominins) seen in the current fossil record.

Summarize major pattern or trend in cultural traits (e.g., tools) of hominids (hominins) seen in the current fossil record. · New Fossil Finds ; How do new fossil finds expand or redefine our understanding of human evolution? Use example of new paleoanthropological finds (e.g., “Hobbits†of Flores) to support your answer. Part IV: Bibliography · Please list all sources used to prepare this report (including course materials, internet sites, etc). Present in APA style.

Paper for above instructions

Introduction

In the world of business, strategic planning and implementation serve as the cornerstone of organizational success. Developing a business strategy is not merely a task; it is a continuous learning process that requires one to reflect on past experiences and adapt to changing circumstances. This reflective essay aims to dive into a business strategy I once helped implement—a strategy focused on expanding market reach through digital transformation in a mid-sized retail company. As I evaluate the process, I will reflect on the strategic frameworks employed, the lessons learned, and how these experiences have shaped my perspective on business strategy, encompassing concepts such as competitive advantage, risk management, and change management.
The strategic framework I applied was a combination of Michael Porter’s Five Forces Model and Value Chain Analysis, focusing on understanding the competitive landscape while optimizing operational efficiency (Porter, 1985). Through this reflective exercise, I will emphasize the need for flexibility, the importance of stakeholder engagement, and the impact of technology in developing a competitive edge.

Reporting and Responding

In 2020, I participated in the implementation of a digital transformation strategy aimed at enhancing the retail experience for customers. This strategy emerged in response to market research indicating a significant shift towards online shopping among our target demographic, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process began with organizational assessments conducted to understand the current market positioning and consumer trends, revealing significant opportunities for growth.
Initially, I felt apprehensive about the shifting dynamics. Questions arose regarding my capability to adapt to technological advancements and my understanding of the digital landscape. However, the apprehension quickly transformed into motivation to engage actively in the process, knowing that the company's future depended on our ability to pivot. According to Kotter's Change Model, the initial stages of change involve creating urgency and forming coalitions, which we undertook through workshops and information-sharing sessions (Kotter, 1996).
From the onset, my thoughts gravitated towards how to effectively merge digital strategies with traditional retail practices. Porter’s Five Forces Model guided our understanding of the competitive forces at play, prompting us to reassess our value propositions in the context of evolving consumer preferences. We understood that the threat of new entrants was high, leading us to invest in SEO and targeted online marketing to solidify our market presence.
Additionally, the insights from the Value Chain Analysis required us to critically evaluate each step of our operational processes. It was vital to ensure that our external suppliers were equipped to handle the increase in demand associated with online purchases—this involved reshaping our vendor relationships and logistics framework (Porter, 1985).

Relating

This experience significantly broadened my understanding of the complexities involved in strategic decision-making. I realized that my personal belief in collaborative teamwork played a crucial role in sustaining morale throughout the process. Engaging various stakeholders, such as employees, customers, and suppliers, became paramount as we navigated through uncertainties. Awfully aware that my previous experience in project management equipped me with the necessary skills to coordinate tasks effectively, I also acknowledged that gaps in digital skills among team members presented challenges.
Moreover, my understanding of strategic theories such as the Resource-Based View (RBV) became relevant. The RBV framework articulates that organizations can achieve sustainable competitive advantage through unique resources and capabilities (Barney, 1991). The digital tools we invested in not only improved operational efficiencies but also differentiated us from competitors, a realization that significantly reshaped my understanding of competitive strategy.
Connecting this experience to my own knowledge led to recognizing that my competencies should align with emerging market trends and technologies. I initially lacked a deep understanding of data analytics, which became essential for decision-making. As a result, I took the initiative to enroll in basic data analytics courses, recognizing that staying relevant in the rapidly changing digital landscape was not optional.

Reasoning

Several critical factors underpinned the complexity of executing the digital transformation strategy. The most prominent factor was the organization's cultural reluctance to adopt new technologies. Employees were accustomed to traditional approaches, and the fear of change often manifested itself as resistance. This resistance necessitated the creation of a change management plan incorporating Kotter’s stages, which emphasized the importance of continuous communication to alleviate concerns and reinforce commitment throughout the transition (Kotter, 1996).
Understanding these factors was significant in reframing the overall implementation approach. Engaging team members in training sessions and fostering an inclusive environment encouraged them to contribute suggestions, thus enhancing the project's overall acceptance. By relating theories of change management to our corporate culture, I managed to establish a clearer vision for the team, reinforcing how digital transformation played a pivotal role in maintaining our competitive advantage.
From a risk management perspective, identifying potential pitfalls was instrumental in navigating challenges. Identifying misalignment with technological investment and customer needs could have derailed our progress; therefore, we prioritized customer feedback during the implementation phase, leading to adjustments in strategies. Recognizing that agility in strategic execution remains crucial reinforced the need for an adaptable framework beyond theoretical models.

Reconstructing

Reflecting on this experience, I recognize that the lessons learned are invaluable for personal and professional growth. In managing similar strategies in the future, I would prioritize stakeholder engagement from the outset, acknowledging the concerns of employees early in the transition process. My approach would incorporate more structured workshops to facilitate knowledge sharing around the new digital tools, thus mitigating any apprehension regarding the unknown.
Moreover, embracing flexibility in adapting strategy based on ongoing assessment would be a core tenet of future initiatives. The experience taught me that continuous feedback loops enhance strategic execution and yield better outcomes as environmental changes emerge. Grounding future practices in literature regarding dynamic capabilities Paul (1997) will better prepare the organization for navigating change.
Finally, I aim to foster a culture where proactive learning is embraced. Creating knowledge-sharing platforms that encourage employees to learn and adapt promotes a collective understanding, making technological transitions smoother and more efficient.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the digital transformation strategy in the retail environment has revealed profound insights regarding strategic frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive change management. In summary, I have learned that effective business strategy entails continuous learning and agility in response to market shifts. My experience highlighted the value of integrating both academic theories and practical applications for an effective strategy.
As organizations regularly confront changing market dynamics, fostering a proactive learning culture and embracing technological change is not merely advantageous; it is essential for sustainable success. Future endeavors will undoubtedly leverage these experiences, emphasizing engagement and adaptation to meet ever-evolving consumer needs.

References

Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustainable competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
Kotter, J. P. (1996). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.
Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. Free Press.
Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey-Bass.
Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319-1350.
Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B., & Lampel, J. (2005). Strategy Safari: A Guided Tour Through the Wilds of Strategic Management. Free Press.
Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (1996). The balanced scorecard: Translating strategy into action. Harvard Business Review Press.
Thorp, J. (2016). Digital Transformation: A Leadership Perspective. International Journal of Information Management, 36(6), 825-829.
Zott, C., & Amit, R. (2010). Business model design: An activity system perspective. Long Range Planning, 43(2-3), 216-226.
Dyer, J. H., & Singh, H. (1998). The relational view: Cooperative strategy and sources of interorganizational competitive advantage. Academy of Management Review, 23(4), 660-679.