Module
1 – Case

The Strategic
Management Cycle

Case Assignment

For your case assignment this session the organization you will be reviewing
is Dish. You will be considering how this organization competes within a
very competitive industry.

After reviewing the book section, presentation materials, and additional
readings, consider the organization’s mission/vision/values and key
stakeholders and discuss the organization’s position and niche in the
competitive environment.

Make sure you present the company’s mission, vision, and/or values (whatever
the company makes available to the public along these lines), and discuss the
company’s most important primary stakeholders. Indicate whether you believe the
company’s mission, vision, and/or value statements are in alignment with
stakeholder needs. That is, does the organization treat key stakeholders in a
fashion that is in alignment with its posted mission/vision/values?

Also, is the organization’s mission/vision/values in alignment with the
volatile environment in which it competes?

Assignment
Expectations

Your case assignment should be a minimum of 4 pages in length.

You are required to use APA formatting and you are required to cite and
reference your sources. There should be a minimum of three reputable
sources cited and referenced in your paper.

Please make sure you review the assignment rubric prior to writing your
assignment.

Module
1 – SLP

The Strategic
Management Cycle

Current Event Blog
1

In your SLP for this course you will be considered a strategic management
subject matter expert and will be asked to blog about important aspects of the
strategic management process and to provide examples to support your key
arguments based on current events pulled from recent articles from reputable
sources (such as a major national news source like the NY Times, Business Week,
etc.).

Your main article(s) for each of your blog entries must be no older than 4
months old. If you use an older article as your primary focal article,
you will be asked to redo the assignment. You may, of course, use older
sources to support your discussion but the current event article serving as the
main focus of your paper must be recent.

For your first SLP discuss why the mission and vision are important in
helping to shape organizational strategy and find two recent articles (no older
than four months old) that provide examples of organizations that seem to be
living up to (or failing at) fulfilling their mission and vision.

Remember that you are playing the role of a person blogging about strategic
management and the key here is to convey to the public the importance of the
mission and vision statement in a strategic management context and to provide
examples of organizations who do well (or poorly) in fulfilling their stated
missions and visions. Also remember to keep your discussion focused on
strategic management.

SLP Assignment
Expectations

Your SLP assignment should be a minimum of 3 pages in length.

You are required to use APA formatting and you are required to cite and
reference your sources. There should be a minimum of three reputable
sources cited and referenced in your paper.

Please make sure you review the assignment rubric prior to writing your
assignment.

Module
2 – Case

Environmental
Assessment

Case Assignment

In this assignment you will be asked to once again consider Dish in
responding to the following two requirements:

Why is it best for large organizations like Dish to use both PEST and
Porter’s 5 Forces analysis in helping its leaders to understand their
particular external environment? Make sure you demonstrate understanding
of both analytical processes in your discussion and give clear, Dish-related
examples to support your arguments.

Second, describe how the information obtained from the organization’s
macro-level external analysis might be used by an organization like Dish in
performing their SWOT analysis.

In short, what should an organization like Dish be doing to analyze the
external environment at the macro-level and how does that overlap with the
organization’s micro-level analysis efforts? Make sure you provide
well-reasoned and well supported arguments.

Assignment
Expectations

Your case assignment should be a minimum of 4 pages in length.

You are required to use APA formatting and you are required to cite and reference
your sources. There should be a minimum of three reputable sources cited
and referenced in your paper.

Please make sure you review the assignment rubric prior to writing your
assignment.

Environmental
Assessment

Note: This is a signature assignment that will be graded using the
special rubric below to assess Written Communication.

Current Event Blog
2

For this SLP submission you will be asked to submit your second blog entry
about another important aspect of the strategic management process and to
provide examples based on current events pulled from recent articles from
reputable sources (such as a major regional or national news source like the NY
Times, Business Week, etc.).

Recall that the main article(s) for each of your blog entries mustbe
no older than 4 months old. If you use an older article as
your primary focal article, you will be asked to redo the assignment. You may,
of course, use older sources to support your discussion but the current event
article(s) serving as the main focus of your paper must be recent.

For your second SLP submission, describe why environmental analysis is
important and find two recent articles that demonstrate how
one or two organizations have reacted to a turbulent or competitive environment
in a fashion which indicates they have leveraged their strengths, overcome
weaknesses, taken advantage of opportunities, or successfully faced threats to
maintain a competitive edge. What is/are the lesson(s) to be learned that you
want your blog readers to take away from your analysis?

SLP Assignment
Expectations

Your SLP assignment should be a minimum of 3 pages in length.

You are required to use APA formatting and you are required to cite and
reference your sources. There should be a minimum of three reputable sources
cited and referenced in your paper.

Please make sure you review the assignment rubric prior to writing your
assignment.

Written Communication Rubric –
SLP

Criteria	Level 4 Excellent	Level 3 Proficient	Level 2 Developing	Level 1 Emerging
Context and Purpose for Writing	8 points Demonstrates a thorough understanding of context, audience, and purpose that is responsive to the assigned task(s) and focuses all elements of the work.	7 points Demonstrates adequate consideration of context, audience, and purpose and a clear focus on the assigned task(s) (e.g., the task aligns with audience, purpose, and context).	6 points Demonstrates awareness of context, audience, purpose, and to the assigned tasks(s) (e.g., begins to show awareness of audience’s perceptions and assumptions).	5 points Demonstrates minimal attention to context, audience, purpose, and to the assigned tasks(s) (e.g., expectation of instructor or self as audience).
Content	6 points Uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to illustrate mastery of the subject, conveying the writer’s understanding, and shaping the whole work.	5 points Uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to explore ideas within the context of the discipline and shape the whole work.	4 points Uses appropriate and relevant content to develop and explore ideas through most of the work.	3 points Uses appropriate and relevant content to develop simple ideas in some parts of the work.
Adherence to Conventions in Specific Disciplines	6 points Demonstrates detailed attention to and successful execution of a wide range of conventions particular to a specific discipline and/or writing task (s) including organization, content, presentation, formatting, and stylistic choices	5 points Demonstrates consistent use of important conventions particular to a specific discipline and/or writing task(s), including organization, content, presentation, and stylistic choices	4 points Follows expectations appropriate to a specific discipline and/or writing task(s) for basic organization, content, and presentation	3 points Attempts to use a consistent system for basic organization and presentation.
Sources and Evidence	3 points Demonstrates skillful use of high-quality, credible, and relevant sources to develop ideas that are appropriate for the discipline and genre of the writing	2 points Demonstrates consistent use of credible, relevant sources to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.	1 point Demonstrates an attempt to use credible and/or relevant sources to support ideas that are appropriate for the discipline and genre of the writing.	0 points Demonstrates an attempt to use sources to support ideas in the writing.
Syntax Control and Mechanics	4 points Uses graceful language that skillfully communicates meaning to readers with clarity and fluency, and is virtually error-free.	3 points Uses straightforward language that generally conveys meaning to readers. The language in the portfolio has few errors.	2 points Uses language that generally conveys meaning to readers with clarity, although writing may include some errors.	1 point Uses language that sometimes impedes meaning because of errors in usage.
Timeliness	3 points Assignment was submitted on time or delivered late with instructor’s approval.	2 points Assignment was submitted 1-2 days after module due date.	1 point Assignment was submitted 3-4 days after module due date.	0 points Assignment submitted 5 or more days late or not submitted/received.
Overall Score	Level 4 27 or more	Level 3 24 or more	Level 2 21 or more	Level 1 0 or more

Module
3 – Case

Strategic Planning
& Strategy Formulation

Case Assignment

In this case assignment, consider some key strategies recently implemented
by Dish in its effort to succeed and compete in its current competitive
environment. Discuss the strategic direction of the company and whether you
believe the organization to be on the right track. Make recommendations
that you believe would help Dish to gain market share (that is, hypothetically
formulate what you think would be useful strategies for Dish to
consider). Also comment regarding whether you believe Dish operates in a
socially responsible manner and whether their CSR record helps or hinders their
success.

Assignment
Expectations

Your case assignment should be a minimum of 4 pages in length.

You are required to use APA formatting and you are required to cite and
reference your sources. There should be a minimum of three reputable
sources cited and referenced in your paper.

Please make sure you review the assignment rubric prior to writing your
assignment.

Module
3 – SLP

Strategic Planning & Strategy
Formulation

Note: This is a signature
assignment that will be graded using the special rubric below to assess
Information Literacy.

Current Event Blog 3

For this SLP submission you will
be asked to submit your third blog entry about another important aspect of the
strategic management process and to provide examples based on current events
pulled from recent articles from reputable sources. (You will need to use at
least five peer-reviewed articles for this assignment.) Peer-reviewed
articles can be located by using the Trident Online Library. Please make sure
that you cite/reference correctly in APA.

For this Signature Assignment,
the articles for your blog entry must be no older than 12 months old.

For your third SLP discuss the
importance of the strategy formulation and planning phase. Identify
five recent peer-reviewed articles that discuss a recent major strategic
effort on the part of an organization. What would you have recommended if
you were sitting at the strategy planning table? Examples of such an effort
might include mergers, buy-outs, sell-offs, introduction of innovative
products, strategic marketing campaigns, and the like.

Discuss to what extent you believe
this effort will succeed given the organization’s external
environment. What is the takeaway for your reading audience? That is,
what strategic planning lessons can be learned from the situation you
highlighted in your blog entry?

SLP Assignment Expectations

Your SLP assignment should be a
minimum of 3 pages in length.

You are required to use APA
formatting and you are required to cite and reference your sources. There
should be a minimum of five reputable sources cited and referenced in your paper.

Please make sure you review the
assignment rubric prior to writing your assignment.

Information Literacy Rubrics for
SLPs

Criteria	Level 4 – Excellent	Level 3 – Proficient	Level 2 – Developing	Level 1 – Emerging
Determine the Extent of Information Needed	8 points Effectively defines the scope of the research question or thesis. Effectively determines key concepts. Types of information (sources) selected directly relate to concepts or answer research question.	7 points Defines the scope of the research question or thesis completely. Can determine key concepts. Types of information (sources) selected relate to concepts or answer research question.	6 points Defines the scope of the research question or thesis incompletely (parts are missing, remains too broad or too narrow, etc.). Can determine key concepts. Types of information (sources) selected partially relate to concepts or answer research question.	5 points Has difficulty defining the scope of the research question or thesis. Has difficulty determining key concepts. Types of information (sources) selected do not relate to concepts or answer research question.
Access the Needed Information	6 points Accesses information using effective, well-designed search strategies and most appropriate information sources.	5 points Accesses information using variety of search strategies and some relevant information sources. Demonstrates ability to refine search.	4 points Accesses information using simple search strategies, and retrieves information from limited and similar sources.	3 points Accesses information randomly, retrieves information that lacks relevance and quality.
Evaluate Information and its Sources Critically	6 points Thoroughly (systematically and methodically) analyzes own and others’ assumptions and carefully evaluates the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.	5 points Identifies own and others’ assumptions and several relevant contexts when presenting a position.	4 points Questions some assumptions. Identifies several relevant contexts when presenting a position. May be more aware of others’ assumptions than one’s own (or vice versa).	3 points Shows an emerging awareness of present assumptions (sometimes labels assertions as assumptions). Begins to identify some contexts when presenting a position.
Use Information Effectively to Accomplish a Specific Purpose	3 points Communicates, organizes, and synthesizes information from sources to fully achieve a specific purpose, with clarity and depth.	2 points Communicates, organizes, and synthesizes information from sources. Intended purpose is achieved.	1 point Communicates and organizes information from sources. The information is not yet synthesized, so the intended purpose is not fully achieved.	0 points Communicates information from sources. The information is fragmented and/or used inappropriately (misquoted, taken out of context, or incorrectly paraphrased, etc.), so the intended purpose is not achieved.
Access and Use Information Ethically and Legally	4 points Students use correctly all of the following information use strategies (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution) and demonstrate a full understanding of the ethical and legal restrictions on the use of published, confidential, and/or proprietary information.	3 points Students use correctly three of the following information use strategies (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution) and demonstrates a full understanding of the ethical and legal restrictions on the use of published, confidential, and/or proprietary information.	2 points Students use correctly two of the following information use strategies (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution) and demonstrates a full understanding of the ethical and legal restrictions on the use of published, confidential, and/or proprietary information.	1 point Students use correctly one of the following information use strategies (use of citations and references; choice of paraphrasing, summary, or quoting; using information in ways that are true to original context; distinguishing between common knowledge and ideas requiring attribution) and demonstrates a full understanding of the ethical and legal restrictions on the use of published, confidential, and/or proprietary information.
Timeliness	3 points Assignment was submitted on time or delivered late with instructor’s approval.	2 points Assignment was submitted 1-2 days after module due date.	1 point Assignment was submitted 3-4 days after module due date.	0 points Assignment submitted 5 or more days late or not submitted/received.
Overall Score	Level 4 27 or more	Level 3 24 or more	Level 2 21 or more	Level 1 0 or more

Module
4 – Case

Strategy
Implementation & Evaluation

Case Assignment

Please note that this assignment is unique in that your written
communication skills will be assessed. This assignment also includes a
specialized rubric focused specifically on written communication.

After reviewing the book section, presentation materials, and additional
readings you will be asked to compose an argumentative essay where you will
argue for or against the thesis identified below regarding the implementation
process of a strategic management plan. Here is the thesis statement you
are expected to support or refute using well-reasoned arguments:

The successful implementation of the strategic management plan in a large
corporation like Dish is highly reliant on measurement and evaluation efforts
during and after the implementation phase.

In responding to this assignment you should continue your review of the
information available on Dish. Identifying strategies over the past
couple of years that did not work out so well versus strategies that succeeded
might be helpful in supporting key arguments. Some questions to ask
yourself in formulating your arguments might include: What barriers might have
gotten in the way of any less successful strategies? And what type
of strategic evaluation efforts do you think are necessary to keep an eye on
progress in a large company like Dish? How does measurement of
implementation processes help assure success? How does the evaluation
process help to assure future success?

In this assignment, make sure you clearly identify the position you are
taking with respect to the thesis. Your essay should include an
introduction, and well developed arguments in support of your position.
You should wrap up your essay with a conclusion.

Assignment
Expectations

Your case assignment should be a minimum of 5 pages in length.

You are required to use APA formatting and you are required to cite and
reference your sources. There should be a minimum of three reputable sources
cited and referenced in your paper but more is preferred.

Please make sure you review the assignment rubric prior to writing your assignment.
Keep in mind that this rubric is a different rubric from what you are used to
as it focuses on the assessment of your writing skills.

Strategy
Implementation & Evaluation

Current Event Blog
4

For this SLP submission you will be asked to submit your fourth blog entry
about another important aspect of the strategic management process and to
provide examples based on current events pulled from recent articles from
reputable sources (such as a major national news source like the NY Times,
Business Week, etc.).

Recall that the main article(s) for each of your blog entries must be
no older than 4 months old. If you use an older article
as your primary focal article, you will be asked to redo the assignment.
You may, of course, use older sources to support your discussion but the
article serving as the main focus of your paper must be recent.

This final blog entry will be related to your case assignment in that it
will deal with Comcast. For this assignment consider the short news
article related to Verizon by Albanesius (2014) and the Nakashima (2014)
article that discusses a deal made between Disney and the Dish Network.
The articles deal with plans to provide video content on mobile devices and on
home televisions in an a la carte manner. As you know, Cable
companies tend to bundle programming to cause customers to want to buy more
premium packages to accommodate their home entertainment desires. The
players in the industry have been avoiding the a la carte approach to
programming in order to cause customers to pay more through the bundling
strategy.

Your assignment will be to present to your blog reading audience an argument
as to whether you believe that Comcast is strategically poised to compete with
upcoming changes in the environment related to providing an a la carte
approach to programming. What should large cable companies like Comcast be
doing now so as not to go the way of Kodak?

Make sure you provide at least two very recent articles to support your key
points (no older than 4 months old).

SLP Assignment
Expectations

Your SLP assignment should be a minimum of 4-5 pages in length.

You are required to use APA formatting and you are required to cite and
reference your sources. There should be a minimum of three reputable
sources cited and referenced in your paper.

Please make sure you review the assignment rubric prior to writing your
assignment.