Expert answer:I need help with a business and finance assignment
Answer & Explanation:Use the “NAB_ Company_ Portfolio” find on google.Write a three to six (3-6) page paper in which you provide the following information below.Operations Plan (1 – 2 pages)Note: Remember to assign a dollar amount to each operational cost you find, as you will need these figures for your income statement and cash flow.1.Create an operations plan for your NAB company using the template in the text as a guide. Extract appropriate information from the NAB Company portfolio, where applicable. Other required items in the template should be filled in using your personal preferences.2.Provide a rationale for the competitive advantages section using appropriate functional-level and business-level strategies to explain the competitive advantages.Note: Much of the research pertaining to the hints provided here can be found in the NAB company portfolio.Hints: Consider whether you will rent or buy your facilities or outsource production to an existing company.Hints: One of your biggest expenses as a startup non-alcoholic beverage company will be transitioning from a small batch prototype of your beverage to production on a large scale. Research the equipment you will need (vats, refrigerators, burners, ovens, bottling equipment, and so on), whether you will rent or buy, how you will maintain and clean it, and so forth. Consider how you will ensure quality control. What capacity do you intend to reach?Hints: Deliberate your inventory control. Where do your supplies come from and what is your turnaround time to produce your beverage once you have received an order?Hints: Consider your distribution method. Refer back to your notes for the SWOT analysis assignment in Week 2 of class.Hints: How will you stay abreast of new developments in your industry? What new products do you have in development now, in addition to your flagship product?3.Describe your research and development activities and explain how they will contribute to the company.Technology Plan (1 – 2 pages)4.Create a technology plan for your NAB company using the template in the text as a guide (p. 227 | Technology Plan Preparation Form ). Extract appropriate information from the NAB Company portfolio, where applicable. Other required items in the template should be filled in using your personal preferences.5.Provide a rationale for the personnel needs section by incorporating appropriate functional-level strategies.Hints: Consider the type of technology your company will use to conduct the following activities: manage personnel; take, fulfill, and track orders; manage inventory; communicate with customers and provide customer service; and produce your beverage.Management & Organization (1 – 2 pages)6.Create a management plan for your NAB company using the template in the text as a guide (p. 248 | Management Plan Preparation Form ). Extract appropriate information from the NAB Company portfolio, where applicable. Other required items in the template should be filled in using your personal preferences.7.Using the flow charts on p. 242 as a guide, outline your company’s management hierarchy. Note: Charts or diagrams must be imported / included in the MS Word document.8.Provide a rationale for the management structure and style section by incorporating appropriate functional-level strategies.9.Format your assignment according to these formatting requirements:a.Cite the resources you have used to complete this exercise. Note: There is no minimum requirement for the number of resources used in the exercise.b.Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.c.Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:Create a plan to implement a firm’s strategy and manage the change from current operations.Describe strategic planning techniques used to formulate alternative strategies designed to achieve stated business goals.Use technology and information resources to research issues in strategic management.Write clearly and concisely about strategic management using proper writing mechanicsPart 2This assignment consists of two (2) sections: a draft of your business plan and an income statement containing your business plan financials.You must intend to raise money for your startup company. You can start with money from friends and family but at some point you will need funds from outside investors, either angels or venture capitalists, depending on how much money you project you will need to raise. Another possible angle is to develop money through crowdfunding, assuming your product meets the demand of such audiences.Before you can raise money, you must develop a business plan that convinces an investor that your company will succeed.Section 1: Business Plan (MS Word or equivalent)Write an approximately fifteen to twenty (15-20) page draft of your business plan in which you:1.Revise the components of the following previously submitted sections based on the feedback you have received.a.Company Description (Assignment 1)b.Industry Analysis and Trends (Assignment 1)c.Strategic Position & Risk Assessment (Assignment 1)d.Target Market (Assignment 2)e.Competition (Assignment 2)f.Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy (Assignment 2)2.Create an Ethics & Social Responsibility Plan.Note: The Ethics & Social Responsibility plan should account for approximately three to five (3-5) pages of the Business Plan Draft.a.Describe the ways in which your company is committed to being a good corporate citizen.Hints: Consider the following areas:Creating jobsFollowing the laws of every jurisdiction in which your company operatesFair and honest treatment of employeesNon-discrimination of employees and increasing diversity of your work forceHints: If your company is designed as a social venture—in which you have a primary purpose of achieving a social or environmental goal—describe what that goal is and what aspects of your company are designed to reach that goal. Provide a rationale for why you have or why you have not chosen this to be a social venture.b.Discuss how your company’s activities will affect the environment and identify the steps you will take to mitigate any negative impacts.Hints: As a beverage company, consider such issues as your choice of packaging, disposal of bottles / packages by consumers, and your use of resources, such as water in areas where water may be scarce. c.Determine any health issues / claims related to the product you are making, whether negative or positive. Suggest the strategy your company will use to mitigate any negative issues, and to ensure any positive claims are true.d.Many beverage products have negative health impacts on certain segments of a population (e.g., children, pregnant mothers, etc.). Suggest your company’s plan, through advertising, distribution, and / or other methods, to target and reach only appropriate market segments.3.Format your assignment according to these formatting requirements:a.Cite the resources you have used to complete the exercise. Note: There is no minimum requirement for the number of resources used in the exercise.b.Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.c.Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.Section 2: Business Plan Financials (MS Excel worksheets template)4.For year one, revise and submit the Income Statement, Cash Flow Projections, and Balance Sheet sections from the “Business Plan Financials” MS Excel template (see: Course Required Files in Week 1).-The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:-Describe strategic planning techniques used to formulate alternative strategies designed to achieve stated business goals.-Create a plan to implement a firm’s strategy and manage the change from current operations.-Analyze strategies for exerting the internal leadership needed to drive the implementation of strategic initiatives and improve operating excellence.-Use technology and information resources to research issues in strategic management.-Write clearly and concisely about strategic management using proper writing mechanics.bus599_assignment1.docx599__assignment_2.docx599__assignment2_marketing_budget.xlsx
bus599_assignment1.docx
599__assignment_2.docx
599__assignment2_marketing_budget.xlsx
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Running head: THE ORCHARD COMPANY
1
The Orchard Company
Assignment 1: Company Description and SWOT Analysis
This company is the most preferred supplier of homegrown smoothies and the producer
for premium quality fresh juices, fruit smoothies and natural sparking lemonades as well. It is
based in a juice factory in Co. Limerick where they produce juices and smoothies to deliver in
THE ORCHARD COMPANY
2
Ireland. This company was setup in 2000 by Diarmuid who sought to shift from carbonated soft
drinks and pushed for healthier products. The company produces the best quality products and
they suppose that this strategy will help them stay ahead in terms of competition. The company
has been trying to diversify its products and have added more juices as a result and also formed
partnerships with Irish food producers to promote sales as well (Orchard, Yang, Ali, 2005)..
They use a natural ingredient which does not involve adding colors or preservatives and artificial
stabilizers.
The company has a team that oversees the sales and who have vast knowledge of the
current products, and this is not all, they also have been able to establish customer relationships
which have enables them always keep up with the consumer demand and pay attention to their
preferences.
Some of the trends that are being observed in the beverage industry include: individuality
where consumers prefer beverages that are unique and special for the use by their families in
events (Bergman, and Packaged Facts, 2005). People are turning to healthier habits and
environmental conscious and resourceful behavior which implies that carbonated drinks are in
trouble. Another trend is that individuals are now making decisions on the products to take based
on the opportunity to connect more people and customers online. This involves the use of
innovative packaging which connects them to online resources such as scan able bar codes,
special passwords among others. Consumers are also considering convenience in that they prefer
beverages that are ready to drink in terms of shape taste and temperature. Cons8mers are also
considering sustainability in the sense that they are turning to ways of production that are
environmentally conscious. They are looking for non-alcoholic products that can be reused,
recycled and repurposed (Martinez, and Garcia, 2013). This implies that beverage companies
THE ORCHARD COMPANY
3
need to focus on new sustainable packaging which will enable them keep up with consumer
demand.
The Orchard brand image has played a major role in advertising the company’s brand and
products. A good brand image is meant to create stimulation to the customer’s buying decision.
A consumer wants to be adequately informed, inspired and tempted by the sensual impressions
of a products image. The brand image should be very persuasive to any customer who comes
across the product. This is the reason why a product’s appearance should have eye catching
impression. Its design, color and shape should comprise of creativity that will attract customers
from far. The product’s appearance should efficiently communicate to customers since
consumers want a product that will appeal to his senses before they buy it. All these factors aim
at reinforcing their customer’s consumption behavior as they offer additional information about
that benefits that come with the consumption of that product. It strengthens the company’s
relationship with it consumers and prospects among other important stakeholders (Hill, and
Sims-Bell, 2010).
There are few factors that impact the firm’s operations and these are the market risks,
competitive risks technology risks, product risks and global risks. Some of the contributors of
these include the water scarcity issue at the firm, poor quality threatening their product sales,
changes that are taking place in the non-alcoholic beverages business environment, the global
credit issue , increased levels of competition , inability to enter and penetrate emerging markets,
the current fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates, fluctuation in interest rates, bad
relationships with bottling partners, increase in income tax rates, new indirect taxes, increased
costs, shortage of ingredients, changes in the legal and regulatory environment in foreign
countries, climate change among others. They have also been affected by restrictions on imports
4
THE ORCHARD COMPANY
and exports and sources of supply and adverse weather conditions and prolonged labor strikes
which are affecting their advertising effectiveness and changing their label requirements. In
order to control this, the firm is monitoring operations with the main objective of minimizing the
impact to the overall business that could arise from the above risks.
They should also consider diversifying in healthy and food business which stands the
chance of increasing the offerings of the company to their customers. This could also increase
their revenue through the cross selling of products. Improving their supply chain would also
serve at reducing the increasing transportation costs and the cost of distribution as well.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
Weaknesses
Excellent staffing
Competition with Pepsi
Strong internal communications system
Low product diversification
Business reputation of being innovative
Too much stock in inventory and higher
inventory cost
Strong customer relationship
Infrequent cash flow system
Fantastic marketing strategies
Distribution network
Customer loyalty
Opportunities
Threats
5
THE ORCHARD COMPANY
Diversification
A downturn in the economy and people
spending less.
Developing nations
High demand for product
Intense competition
Customers loyalty
New advertising campaign by competitors
Similar product being of poor quality and more
expensive
References
THE ORCHARD COMPANY
Bergman, S., & Packaged Facts (Firm). (2005). Baby boomers and the U.S. food and beverage
industry: Trends and opportunities in health, natural/organic, gourmet, ethnic, and
convenience foods & beverages. New York: Packaged Facts.
Hill, K., & Sims-Bell, B. (2010). Career opportunities in the food and beverage industry. New
York: Ferguson.
Martinez, M. G., & Garcia, Marian. (2013). Open innovation in the food and beverage industry.
Oxford: Woodhead Pub Ltd.
Orchard, B., Yang, C., & Ali, M. (2005). Innovations in Applied Artificial Intelligence. Berlin:
Springer.
6
Running Head: MARKETING STRATEGIES
The Orchard Company
Assignment 2 Marketing Strategies
Our firm, The Orchard, a fresh juice and beverages producer will be aiming at
achieving the largest market share and this will ensure that we are performing at our best levels
1
MARKETING STRATEGIES
in the right track to achieve our goals and objectives that is to make profits, survive and grow.
The firm will target all kinds of people as their market but will also focus on major groups who
will form the main market for an effective supply chain. Below is the main target that will be the
market for our products.
Company’s market target
The company will target all type of people because the drink is not limited to particular
group of people, region or a certain age group. The drinks can satisfy many people and would be
reliable to all types of people in our society. Based on the fact that we shall be selling our
products at a relatively low price and this will be an effective market strategy to win more
customers (Bergman, and Packaged Facts, 2005). The products will be marketed in restaurants
and hotels where beverages and soft drinks are consumed by many people during meal times.
The other places where we shall market our products are the fast food shops and canteens that
sell food and beverages to clients such as students and average workers during lunch time and
during break time.
The customers whom we are targeting have all the capabilities in purchasing these
products due the favorable price that we have set (Martinez, and Garcia, Marian, 2013). The
customers are within reach because we shall be marketing in major towns and shopping centers.
The drink will favor all genders because it is not limited to any of them and the level of
satisfaction which will be given to each and every person regardless of their gender will be the
same. The drink will be favoring all people regardless of what they earn because it is affordable
to all regardless of their class and financial background. This means we shall target men, women
and children as they all fit to be our customers.
2
MARKETING STRATEGIES
Market competition
The market has various challenges and the main one which we shall encounter is stiff
competition and our company being a startup firm will be highly affected due the fact that we
have not yet settled effectively. The stiff competition is one of the threats that we focused on in
our strength, weakness, opportunity and threat analysis. Based on the fact that many people are
dependent on juices, soft drinks and beverages for refreshment, many firms have emerged and
settled in the market effectively and have a large market share due to their dominance and this
could lead to market failure for a new startup firm if the right marketing strategies are not
adapted. Therefore our main competitors are the already existing firms such as Coca Cola and
Pepsi.
The competition with these firms will be based on the prices and quality of our products.
We shall ensure that our prices are quite cheap and the quality we offer in terms of our drinks
will be high. The other strategies we shall use in marketing for effective competition against
these firms is the use of professionals and experts who will develop ideas which we shall use to
compete in the market and win more customers each day. The other strategy we shall use in
competition is advertising our products through leaflets, social and mass media and in the daily
papers. The competitors have applied these strategies but we shall come up with same but better
tactics to create awareness in the market. We shall ensure that we have a close customer
relationship so that we can get reliable feedback which is important in competition (Hill, and
Sims-Bell, 2010). Future competitors would be other upcoming firms and in case our marketing
strategies are not effective these firms could be a great threat in future and we have to be careful
in dealing with them. There are various barriers to entry and they include regulations and pricing
3
MARKETING STRATEGIES
strategies where price ceilings might lead to losses in case the production costs are higher than
the revenue.
Company’s message to the market
The company’s marketing message through our marketing team will be based on the Five
F’s which are functions, freedom, finance, feelings and future. In this case we shall focus more
on one of the above messages offered to the market and this message is the freedom message
where the customers will be informed of the various choices that the firm will be offering to
them. The firm will ensure that it has offered the customers the freedom to choose from the
various products that the firm will be offering.
Many customers want to buy products from which they will be able to choose from based
on their tastes and preferences. These messages will be a major step towards an effective
marketing strategy because our products are cheap and when customers have more to choose
from they will definitely buy from us and we shall be having a good customer base which is
essential in marketing.
Marketing vehicles to use in marketing
Marketing vehicles are the tools used in marketing and advertising our products. The best
marketing strategies to use in this campaign is adverts. The adverts which we shall make will be
posted on bill boards across the roads and major streets where the target can easily access them.
The other methods which we shall use is leaflets where the firm will distribute major papers and
catalogues concerning our products on the streets to our target customers and in these papers we
shall describe our products and ensure that the public has adequate information. The other
adverts will be made on social and mass media and based on the fact that most people are always
4
MARKETING STRATEGIES
5
online they will have access to the adverts and our strategies will be effective. Other methods we
shall use include product promotion where we shall come close to our customers and through
that we shall be able to collect feedback which we shall use to develop and compete effectively.
An example of a firm which uses such tactics is Coca Cola which has many adverts online
inform of Google Ads and from this the firm has secured a large market share (Orchard, Yang,
and Ali, 2005).
References
MARKETING STRATEGIES
Bergman, S., & Packaged Facts (Firm). (2005). Baby boomers and the U.S. food and beverage
industry: Trends and opportunities in health, natural/organic, gourmet, ethnic, and
convenience foods & beverages. New York: Packaged Facts.
Hill, K., & Sims-Bell, B. (2010). Career opportunities in the food and beverage industry. New
York: Ferguson.
Martinez, M. G., & Garcia, Marian. (2013). Open innovation in the food and beverage industry.
Oxford: Woodhead Pub Ltd.
Orchard, B., Yang, C., & Ali, M. (2005). Innovations in Applied Artificial Intelligence. Berlin:
Springer.
6
Your Company Name
WARNING!
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Excel 2007 for Windows:
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If you do not see the “Security Warning” along the top of this page, scroll down for more detailed instructions, under
“Excel 2010 and Excel 2013 on Windows – Enabling Macros”
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of Business Plan Financials from PlanningShop.
Your Company Name
Excel 2007 on Windows – Enabling Macros
Your Company Name
Excel 2010 and Excel 2013 on Windows – Enabling Macros
Your Company Name
WARNING!
XCEL’S MACRO CAPABILITY ENABLED. THESE FINANCIAL WORKSHEETS WILL NOT
FUNCTION WITHOUT MACROS ENABLED.
ning that appears at the top of this page.
rity Warning that appears at the top of this page.
ng the top of this page, scroll down for more detailed instructions, under
nabling Macros”
rity Warning that appears at the top of this page.
ng the top of this page, scroll down for more detailed instructions, under
bling Macros”
Visual Basic, so there is no way to enable the macros. Please obtain a Mac 2008-only version
Your Company Name
07 on Windows – Enabling Macros
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Your Company Name
Excel 2013 on Windows – Enabling Macros
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Excel 2013, even though the Excel 2013 has a slightly different
look than these screenshots.
1. In the upper left corner of the Excel Ribbon, press the “File” tab.
2. Select Options, in the lower left
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5. Select “Macros Settings”
from the left side menu
6. Select the “Disable all
macros except digitally
signed macros” radio button.
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Welcome to Business Plan Financials!
Thank you for purchasing Business Plan Financials from PlanningShop. These worksheets will help you develop clear, compelling financial projections for your
business. If you are unfamiliar with the business planning process, we encourage you to refer to our book, Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies , by
Rhonda Abrams, for comprehensive, step-by-step guidance. It is available through our website, www.PlanningShop.com.
First, a few tips to get you started:
SAVING A BLANK WORKBOOK, TO ALLOW FOR RECOVERY FROM MISTAKES
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your PlanningShop directory. Make a copy of this file (just in case you might need to start over yet again), and then start editing the copy.
NAVIGATING THE WORKSHEETS
You installed the Windows version of Business Plan Financials. The Excel Ribbon now contains a “PlanningShop” tab, that contains controls to let you navigate
between worksheets. The PlanningShop Ribbon looks slightly different in Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, but the functionality is the same.
Excel 2007 for Windows:
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Instead, to navigate between worksheets and charts, use the Excel worksheet tabs along the bottom edge of the Excel window.
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FOR MORE HELP
For more in-depth help and assistance, click on the “Business Plan Financials Help” menu in the toolbar. The help files contain extensive information about each
worksheet, along with a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ).
To get started, click on the right-pointing arrow in the PlanningShop toolbar to reach the “Setup and Assumptions” worksheet, where you’ll enter some basic
information about your business.
Version 2.8
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Setup Assumptions
Setup and Assumptions
COMPANY INFORMATION
What is your company’s name?
Your Company Name
What month will you officially start your company?
January
What year will you officially start your company?
2013
SALES ASSUMPTIONS
The Worksheets can accommodate sales projections for up to 10 major
product/service lines. How many major product/service lines do you plan
to have for your business?
Most businesses sell at least some of their products/services on credit
(e.g., “net 30” as opposed to cash). What percentage of your sales will
be made on credit?
For sales you make on credit, what term …
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