Strategic Management - Essay Example

Management serves to coordinate the efforts of individuals to achieve goals and objectives. Its main functions include: Planning, leading, organizing, and controlling

Question 2

CBA is a systematic approach that estimates the weaknesses and strengths of the options that fulfill the needs of the business. It incorporates the following 3 steps:

Firstly, establish the common measurement unit. Secondly, quantify the total costs and the benefits. Finally, determine the pay-back period.

Question 1

Internal Analysis of the Zip Cola International

Introduction

Internal audit is an objective and independent consulting and assurance exercise that adds value to the operations of an organization. The internal assessment of Zip Cola will be through two main approaches. The SWOT analysis applies as a strategy to determine the factors in the internal environment that will affect the organization. The SWOT analysis identifies the weaknesses, strengths, threats, and opportunities that exist in the organization. The external factors involve the opportunities and the threats of the business whereas the strengths, and the weaknesses reflect the internal factors. Further, needs assessment identifies the gaps and needs of the company that requires an address to achieve its objects. Therefore, the SWOT analysis (Strengths and weaknesses) and the needs assessment will assist the business s to attain its goals and objectives, which henotheists focus by the essay.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths of Zip Cola Company

In this particular section of the SWOT analysis, one needs to look at the internal capacities and the available resources that will position the organization as the best in both the local and international markets. The company must identify the existing resources and find out how well the company utilizes those possessions. It is essential to list all the available relationships with the customers, the assets of the firm, and the inputs. For example, the available staff with the excellent knowledge of sales concerning the existing products and the success strategies of marketing the company’s goods and products besides the reputation associated with innovation.  

Weaknesses of Zip Cola Company

The weaknesses are the specific areas that need improvement because they place the company in a vulnerable position. They in return hurt the sustainable and long-term profitability of the firm. They can involve the market pressure of the aggressive competitors. For instance, the company might have undertaken an updated client relations management and analysis though not concluded on the results. The situation puts the company in the best position as compared to the market rivals since it can refocus its strategies to target the infant prospects and productive customers. On the other hand, the company will have to look at the pricing of the products to guarantee the expectations of the clients. 

Needs Assessment needs assessment aspect is a systematic process that aid in the determination and address of the gaps or needs identified between the apparent and the desired conditions. In this case, the discrepancies that exist between the current and desired conditions must be determined to ensure the identification of the appropriate need. The approach has an emphasis on the outcomes and gathers information via established methods and procedures to inform the management of the gaps identified. In so doing, the company will realize the challenges is facing and address them. The identification of the gaps leads to the maximum allocation of resources to ensure that the needs achieve optimal address to align. The situation will align the company toward achieving its goals and objectives.

Conclusion

Thus, the needs assessment and the SWOT analysis are the focal points in the attempt to understand the internal factors that have profound effects on the company, Zip Cola International. Hence, the company’s management should have an insight into the internal factors that affect the firm, and establish the appropriate strategies to ensure a competitive advantage.