You must select a strategic action of a company publicly traded in the United States that files an SEC 10-K report. *(Google (alphabet)) You will be analyzing why the firm is involved in or considering the specific strategic action. Your data and analysis MUST include information you obtain from, among other things, the firm’s 10-K (http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml) and the firm’s web site. (Some firm web sites offer investor information and a link to the firm’s 10-K.) Complete data from many sources will make a meaningful report easier.
Required sections of the report, in order, with section headings, and the approximate pages anticipated are: *All sections are describing the parent company, Google (alphabet)*
Identification of subject including firm name, article title, source of article (date, publication, author) [¼ page] https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/01/google-to-acquire-fitbit-valuing-the-smartwatch-maker-at-about-2point1-billion.html (article to use)
• Brief summary of above article (paraphrase, do not quote w/o quotation marks) Clearly identify the strategic action and explain why and how it is a strategic action. [1 page]
• The current Business Level Strategy of the firm for the relevant product- market and how you determined this. [1/3 page]
• The Corporate Level Strategy of the firm and how you determined this. [1/3 page]
• Describe the General Environment (as your course defines that term) of the firm. Note that you will be describing conditions that create either constraints on or opportunities for the firm, not how the firm handles a particular concern or matter. Review the risks stated in the firm’s 10-K for relevant matters. Focus on the things that drive the strategic action. [1- 2 pages]
• Describe the Industry Environment of the firm’ relevant product- market using Michael Porter’s model and other relevant course concepts. Explain why the conditions are as you conclude using the course concepts. Include all of Porter’s forces and focus especially on the things that drive the strategic action. Review the risks stated in the firm’s 10-K for relevant matters. [1- 2 pages]
• Financial/ performance analysis of the last three years. Present a three- year table of relevant figures and explain how they show why the strategic action is necessary or why it happened. Use concepts from your finance and marketing courses. [1 page]
• Table or list showing strengths and weaknesses of the firm [1 page]
• Using facts from the General Environment, the Industry Environment, the Financial Analysis and the other facts you have presented, explain why the firm is undertaking the strategic action. Identify the deficiency or problem the strategic action will solve and how. [1-2 pages]
• What would one expect as an outcome of the action? Use what you have learned in this course to judge the outcomes to expect. Apply concepts from the text, readings and lectures. Cite course concepts to support any opinions you offer. This requires careful analysis and thoughtful application of course material. [1 page]
• References- identify all sources of information [1 page]
• ATTACH PHOTOCOPY OF THE ARTICLE. YOUR INSTRUCTOR CANNOT EVALUATE YOUR WORK WITHOUT THIS SO YOU WOULD GET NO CREDIT.
Use course concepts to prepare the information above. For example, your section on business strategy should identify the business strategy for the relevant product- market using the terms you will have studied. You should identify the product- market and offer specific evidence such as product characteristics or the core competency exploited.
In many cases, you will be writing paragraphs whose topic sentence is the answer or part of the answer to a specific question. As you add the supporting sentences that demonstrate the veracity of your statement, you must use relevant course concepts. You must apply or cite course concepts in all instances in which they are relevant.
Focus upon the things that lead the firm to the specific strategic action or dilemma. Show a reader how the various facts drive the firm to its state.
Double-space using 12 point plain type and standard margins. Print on one side of the paper. Provide headings for the sections described above.
Other sources to use: *Other sources are also recommended to use*
10K Report: *Must Use the sources below*
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1652044/000165204419000004/goog10-kq42018.htm#sA4821B00C1F65450B0EF326C4BE12DCC
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/01/google-to-acquire-fitbit-valuing-the-smartwatch-maker-at-about-2point1-billion.html
https://abc.xyz/
