Strategy of Florida National University - Term Paper Example

? Florida National Strategic Management Grade (20th, Jan. Florida National Strategic Management FNU background discussion The Florida National University, located in the city of Hialeah, was started in 1988, first as the Florida International Institute, which then transformed into Florida National College in 1989, and later changed into Florida National University in early 2012 (Alonso, 2013). Thus currently, the FNU is operating as a fully fledged university, offering one master degree, 7 seven in bachelors and many others in associated and diploma programs. The Florida National University, Hialeah Campus, is located in the northwest region of Miami, with buildings and facilities that are well furnished and equipped to offer the state of the art learning. It has other of its campuses located in different regions, mostly the second floors of shopping centers, to take into consideration the ease of accessibility of the facilities by the physically challenged (Alonso, 2013). The Florida National University has a mission of contributing to the education of a diverse population, which is made up of a large percentage of Hispanic culture. In doing this, the University seeks to ensure that students are well prepared for gainful employment, through assisting them advance in the careers of their interest, while at the same time ensuring that the requisite skills and knowledge is imparted on the students, to enhance their competitiveness in the world of employment. To achieve this, the University has worked to control the size of the classes, while also providing the necessary facilities that will not only facilitate the attainment of quality education by the students, but also foster advancement in modern technology (Alonso, 2013). In line with serving the interest of the society, the Florida National University also offers cultural programs that develop the societal-cultural values of the community. SWOT analysis for Florida National University Strengths Despite having started two decades ago, Florida National University was declared a fully fledged University only early last year. This notwithstanding, there are several strengths that are associated with Florida National University. First, the University has equipped itself with the state of the art facilities, which enables students to undertake their learning in a favorable environment (Alonso, 2013). This does not only serve to support the students in their career development, but also serves to enhance their competitiveness in the world of employment, since they are taught under a modernized technology environment. The University has several vital educational facilities, which include a language lab, a media center, dental lab, an X-ray lab, a computer lab and a medical lab (Alonso, 2013). These facilities are aimed at facilitating the smooth and effective learning of the students, while also ensuring that they are well equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills that make them competent professionals in the fields of their careers. Another of the strengths of Florida National University is the fact that it specializes in small class teaching (Alonso, 2013). This is vital since it ensures that the students are well attended to by their lecturers, since the lecturer is not overburdened and overwhelmed by the class population. This is a major milestone towards ensuring that the University produces competent graduates, since they have had sufficient assistance from the lecturers during their tenure at the university, and thus are well imparted with the requisite career knowledge and skills. Additionally, the Florida National University has a strength in the fact that it seeks to enrich the society which it serves, through developing cultural programs that are aimed at fostering the cultural values of that society (Alonso, 2013). This becomes one of the strengths of the University, since such an initiative reinforces the relationship existing between the institution and the surrounding community, through absorbing and enriching the community’s cultural value. Weakness The major weakness associated with the Florida National University is the fact that it only offers few programs, more so at the degree and Masters Level, and none at all for the higher levels such as the doctorate. Florida National University offers only a single Master degree and only seven bachelor degree programs, limiting its areas of offering, and thus its career development fields (Alonso, 2013). This is a weakness in that, many students who would wish to undertake other careers have no place in the University, since its degree offerings are limited. This translates to mean that even though Florida National University strives to serve the society in which it operates as best as it can, there is some limitation to this service. The community has to continue seeking for other institutions where they can develop different lines of career, which are not offered by the institution. Another weakness associated with Florida National University is that, it fees and charges are relatively high, compared to the average nationwide tuition price (Alonso, 2013). This means that any student wishing to develop their career of choice in this institution are required to pay much more money, compared to the same career course offered in different institutions. This limits the accessibility of the University, since most people would prefer to develop their careers in an institution that charges less tuition prices, especially with the current tough economic situation, where the rate of unemployment is high. Further, the Florida National University has a weakness in the fact that it became a fully fledged University only recently, thus it may take quite some time before its credentials as a University are internalized and accepted by the society (Alonso, 2013). People are always happy to associate with renowned and popular institutions, which have heard good credentials over the years, since such institutions tend to be widely recognized. The essence in this fact is that the employers and other career stakeholders tend to trust some institutions than others, when it comes to the development of certain specialized skills and professions, based on the history and credentials of such institutions (Roy, 2009). Therefore, it will definitely take some time before the Florida National University develops itself and reaps the benefits of good credentials. Opportunities Notwithstanding the weaknesses and the threats facing Florida National University, there are several opportunities that are open to the institution, which it can take advantage of. First, there is an opportunity for specialization and differentiation of the institution. Considering that the institution offers few degree programs compared to other major university, Florida National University can take advantage of this and specialize only on these limited fields, and thus become a differentiated institution for offering certain career training programs only. This would make it more attractive, since it will catch the attention of interested parties, as the institution that offers such specializations (Roy, 2009). Secondly, social-cultural appeal is an opportunity that the University can capitalize on. The Florida National University has the opportunity of attracting the attention of the society as the institution developing the fundamental cultural values of the society it serves, considering that its mission is to enrich the cultural value of the society it serves (Alonso, 2013). This is an opportunity is the sense that; if the University manages to display its commitment to advance and inculcate the social-cultural values that are highly esteemed by the society, the society will easily identify with the institution, and thus support it in every possible way. Threats Competition is one of the major threats facing the Florida National University, mainly arising from the other institutions that serve the same society. Considering that some of them have a long history as recognized institutions, people have a tendency of wanting to enroll in those institutions, thus limiting the chances for Florida National University. The major threatening institutions include University of Miami, Everest University of Pompano beach and Keiser University Ft Lauderdale (Alonso, 2013). These institutions appear to have an upper hand compared to Florida National University, since they have build their reputations over time as Universities, while the Florida National University was just a college. Some of the surrounding universities and institutions of higher learning also tend to offer relatively low tuition price charges, thus attracting the community to enroll for their programs. The limitation of the degree programs offered by Florida National University also serves to make the other surrounding institutions which offer a wide range of career training gain an upper hand (Alonso, 2013S). Suggested Strategy The suggested Strategy for Florida National University is career path specialization, and social-cultural differentiation. In career path specialization, Florida National University should continue to specialize in the degree programs it is offering, and ensure effective and efficient inculcation of sufficient knowledge and skills on the students undertaking its degrees. This will serve to make it a specialized institution, which produces competent professionals in certain fields, thus making it attractive to the students interested in such careers, as well as fostering its recognition by the employers and other career stakeholders (Roy, 2009). This will go a long way in improving the image, reputation and recognition of the University, while making it even more prosperous. Social-cultural differentiation is yet another strategy that would see the University walk in the path of recognition and prosperity, through a continued support and enrichment of the social-cultural values of the society. Instilling such values on the students would mean that the society identifies with the institution even more, thus supporting it in every aspect. This would see the institution beat its competitors. In-depth analysis of strategy Strength of the strategy The career specialization and social –cultural differentiation strategies have the strength of making the institution stand out among its competitors, while appealing to the society, the employers and the other career stakeholders. The advantage/pro associated with this strategy is that Florida National University will emerge as a specialized and social building institution. Weakness of the strategy The weakness associated with this strategy is that specialization in just a few degree programs may limit the chances of Florida National University of attracting many students, who would opt for other institutions that are offering a wide range of career programs. This would mean that the institution will not be attractive either to the community or the employers, while also limiting the chances of growth of the institution, which could be realized through the expansion of career programs offering. Thus the disadvantage/pro of this strategy is that it could limit the growth and expansion of the institution. Opportunity of the strategy The opportunity presented by this strategy is that of differentiation, where the Florida National University can appeal to the society and employers from a different angle, through specialization is lean program offering, as opposed to its competitors. Threat The strategy would create a loophole through which the competitors could beat Florida National University, since they could attract students wishing to undertake diversified career programs. This would increase the threat of competition that is already being felt by Florida National University. References Alonso, J. (2013). Florida National College (FNC) is now Florida National University (FNU). PR Newswire. Roy, D. (2009). Strategic foresight and Porter's five forces: Towards a synthesis. Mu?nchen: GRIN. Read More