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Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the “UMUC Haircuts Case Study” and be sure to take a look at the “Walmart Example.”center0Purpose of this AssignmentThis assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the concepts of the Porter Five Forces model to a specific business, develop a strategic direction for UMUC Haircuts, and identify a process that could be improved with the use of technology. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:analyze business strategy to recognize how technology solutions enable strategic outcomesanalyze internal and external business processes to identify information systems requirements.analyze business strategy to recognize how technology solutions enable strategic outcomesanalyze internal and external business processes to identify information systems requirements00Purpose of this AssignmentThis assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the concepts of the Porter Five Forces model to a specific business, develop a strategic direction for UMUC Haircuts, and identify a process that could be improved with the use of technology. This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:analyze business strategy to recognize how technology solutions enable strategic outcomesanalyze internal and external business processes to identify information systems requirements.analyze business strategy to recognize how technology solutions enable strategic outcomesanalyze internal and external business processes to identify information systems requirementsOverview of Business Environment Analysis for UMUC HaircutsUMUC Haircuts has been in business since 1995 and has seen an increase in competition from a variety of competitors, as described in the Case Study. With the news that a Hair Cuttery is likely to open only five miles away, Myra, the owner of UMUC Haircuts, is concerned and has asked you to help her assess the impact on her business and how she can deal with it. Myra is worried and is looking to you to provide reassurance that the competition will not affect the business. In addition, Myra has asked you for assistance in developing a strategy for bringing UMUC Haircuts into the 21st century and taking advantage of technology. You will analyze her business environment using the Five Forces Analysis, identify a Strategy for Competitive Advantage, and select a business process that can be improved through the use of technology.Five Forces Analysis:You know that Michael Porter’s Five Forces Model is a useful tool for analyzing a business. The Model is used to help understand the importance of the five competitive forces and determine a strategy to develop and maintain a competitive advantage. The Five Forces are described and discussed in Chapter 1 of the textbook. They are:Buyer Power Supplier power Threat of substitute products or services Threat of new entrants Rivalry among existing competitors A further discussion and examples of the five forces are included in the Reading for Week 1 titled “Porter’s Five Forces.”Strategy for Competitive Advantage:Once you have provided the five force analysis to UMUC Haircuts as a foundation for success, you will select and apply a single strategy for competitive advantage. As outlined in chapter one of your textbook, the strategies are:StrategyDescriptionCost leadershipProduce product/service at the lowest cost in the industry.DifferentiationOffer different products, services, or product features.NicheSelect a narrow-scope segment (market niche) and be the best in quality, speed, or cost in that segment.GrowthIncrease market share, acquire more customers, or sell more types of products.AllianceWork with business partners in partnerships, alliances, joint ventures, or virtual companies.InnovationIntroduce new products/services; put new features in existing products/services; develop new ways to produce products/services.Operational effectivenessImprove the manner in which internal business processes are executed so that the firm performs similar activities better than rivals.Customer orientationConcentrate on customer satisfaction.TimeTreat time as a resource, then manage it and use it to the firm's advantage. NOTE: although this is included in the textbook, it should not be used as a strategy for the organization in the Case Study.Entry barriersCreate barriers to entry. By introducing innovative products or using IT to provide exceptional service, companies can create entry barriers to discourage new entrants.Customer or supplier lock-inEncourage customers or suppliers to stay with you rather than going to competitors. Reduce customers' bargaining power by locking them in.Increase switching costsDiscourage customers or suppliers from going to competitors for economic reasons.Business Process:The final step in this assignment is to select a single business process within UMUC Haircuts business to improve using a technology solution. You only identify the process in this paper. You will continue to develop this solution in future stages of your case study. Some of the processes that Myra has identified for improvement using technology are:. Customer and Employee Scheduling. Inventory Management. Collecting Customer Information . Supply Ordering Assignment: UMUC Haircuts Stage 1: Create a document that includes: Introduction:Brief introduction providing the background of the case, why you are writing and what is to come in your paper. This should only be 3-5 sentences. Five Forces Analysis:Perform a Porter's Five Forces analysis for UMUC Haircuts, addressing each of the five forces in two or three sentences. For each of the five forces, your analysis should include:Definition of the force and what it means to UMUC Haircuts Assessment of the force’s impact (Positive, Negative or Neutral) on the business A statement as to whether it should affect Myra’s strategy for a competitive advantage (yes or no).[Note] Do not identify solutions or things that Myra should do to address the forces’ impact. (The idea is to identify a measurement of the impact and if the force will affect UMUC Haircuts’ Strategy for Competitive Advantage.) Strategy for Competitive Advantage:Determine which of the Strategies for Competitive Advantage you will use to improve UMUC Haircuts for the 21st century andExplain why you selected the strategy Relate your selected strategy back to each of Porter’s five forces discussing the impact of your strategy based on your measurement of the force (positive, negative, or neutral).Business Process: Identify and select a single daily process that needs improvement using technology.Explain how the process to be improved is related to and supports the Strategy for Competitive Advantage you selected above. Explain generally how a technology solution could potentially help improve the process. (Do not provide a specific solution at this time.) Statement of Direction:At the end of your report, before the reference section, enter the following headings and complete the information using one concise phrase for each. You will be starting each subsequent stage by including this information as a method to keep us focused on the case study objectives and learning outcomes.STRATEGY FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:PROCESS TO BE IMPROVED:References:Provide at least one external resource in your paper on an area of your choice. An external resource is a resource other than those provided in the class or text book. Incorporate a properly formatted APA citation in the text of your document. Then, place an APA style resource on a reference page at the end of your document. Additional Instructions:Formatting: Stage One Business Environment Analysis submission. For academic writing, the writer is expected to write in the third person. In third person, the writer avoids the pronouns I, we, my, and ours. The third person is used to make the writing more objective by taking the individual, the “self,” out of the writing. This method is very helpful for academic writing, a form in which facts, not opinion, drive the tone of the text. Writing in the third person allows the writer to come across as unbiased and thus more informed.Write a short concise paper: 2-3 double spaced pages of content. Use at least one external resources with APA formatted citation and reference Include a title page and a reference pare your work to the rubric to be sure you have met content and quality criteria. Submit your paper as a Word document, or a document that can be read in Word. Your submission should include your last name first in the filename: Lastname_firstname_Stage_1 Additional Information:The Business Process: In determining which process you select for improvement, be sure to keep in mind the remaining projects within this Case Study. You should review Stages 2-5 to get an understanding of the future projects that build on this initial stage and to aid you in selecting a process (and later proposing a specific technology solution to improve that process) that can support the requirements of the follow-on assignments.Looking ahead to Stage 2: You will elaborate on the one process for improvement identified in Stage 1. Your paper will identify a specific technology solution to improve the business process you will be focusing on for the case study. In Stage Two, you will model (diagram) the AS IS process you have selected to improve for UMUC Haircuts, indicating the steps in the process as they currently exist. You will also create a second model that demonstrates the steps in the process once the specific technology solution is applied (TO BE). Select a process to improve that is appropriate for a technology solution.Do not start on Stage 2 until you receive feedback on this Stage. The process that you select is crucial and your instructor may recommend that you change your process or strategy so that you can successfully complete the case. You MUST incorporate the recommended changes in all subsequent Stages.The "right" and "wrong"?answers have to do with whether or not you correctly incorporated the course vocabulary and concepts from the textbook to support your choices, and that you address all parts of the assignment.?The specific process you select for a technology solution is not as important as that it makes sense in light of the course content. GRADING RUBRIC: ISFM-300 Case Study, Stage 1 Rubric: Business Environment AnalysisCriteria90-100%Far Above Standards80-89%Above Standards70-79%Meets Standards60-69%Below Standards< 60%Well Below StandardsPossible PointsFive Forces Analysis 41-45 PointsAnalysis covers all 5 forces, defining them and their impact on the business in the case study (Positive, Negative or Neutral) and whether it should affect your strategy (Yes/No); and strongly demon-strates understand-ing of course vocabulary and concepts, analysis and critical thinking. 36-40 PointsAnalysis covers all 5 forces, defining them and their impact on the business in the case study (Positive, Negative or Neutral) and whether it should affect your strategy (Yes/No); and demonstrates understanding of course vocabulary and concepts, analysis and critical thinking. 31-35 PointsAnalysis covers all 5 forces, defining them and their impact on the business in the case study (Positive, Negative or Neutral) and whether it should affect your strategy (Yes/No). Minimal use of course concepts and vocabulary. 27-30 PointsAnalysis covers 1-4 forces, and/or lacks definitions and/or strategy; and may be lacking in demonstra-tion of understand-ing of course concepts, analysis, and/or critical thinking.0-26 PointsAnalysis not included, or does not address many of the 5 forces.45 Strategy for Competitive Advantage18-20 PointsStrategy for Competitive Advantage is selected based on the analysis of the Case Study, comes from the list provided in the textbook, and is fully described demonstrat-ing a strong understand-ing of course vocabulary, concepts, analysis and critical thinking. 16-17 PointsStrategy for Competitive Advantage is selected based on the analysis of the Case Study, comes from the list provided in the textbook, and is adequately described demonstrating understanding of course vocabulary, concepts, analysis and critical thinking.14-15 PointsA Strategy for Competitive Advantage listed in the textbook is identified and explained. Demonstrates minimal understanding of course vocabulary, concepts, analysis and critical thinking.12-13 PointsStrategy for Competitive Advantage does not come from the textbook, does not come from analysis of the Case Study, and/or is not adequately described and/or is lacking in demonstra-tion of understand-ing of course vocabulary, concepts, or analysis.0-11 PointsNo identifica-tion and/or discussion of Strategy for Competi-tive Advantage is provided or demon-strates little effort.20Process to Improve9-10 PointsOne business process identified is aligned with strategy for competitive advantage above; process is applicable to the Case Study and is highly appropriate for technology solution improve-ment. Demon-strates a strong understand-ing of course vocabulary, concepts, analysis and critical thinking.8 PointsBusiness process identified is aligned with strategy for competitive advantage above; process is applicable to the Case Study and is appropriate for technology solution improvement, Demonstrates a good understanding of course vocabulary, concepts, analysis and critical thinking.7 PointsProcess is identified and is somewhat applicable to the Case Study and is somewhat appropriate for technology solution improvement, demonstrating an understanding of course vocabulary, concepts, analysis and critical thinking.6 PointsProcess identified is not aligned with strategy for competitive advantage above; and/or process is not appropriate for technology solution improve-ment. Does not demonstrate an understand-ing of course vocabulary, concepts, analysis and critical thinking.0-5 PointsProcess for improve-ment is not identified or demon-strates little effort.10External Research9-10 PointsTwo or more sources other than the textbook are incorpor-ated and used effectively. Sources used are relevant and timely and contribute to the analysis. References are appropriate-ly incorpor-ated and cited using APA style.8 PointsAt least one source other than the textbook is incorporated and used effectively. Source(s) are relevant and contribute to the analysis. References are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style. 7 PointsAt least one external resource used and properly incorporated into the text. Reference is cited using APA style. 6 pointsA source other than the textbook may be used, but is not properly incorporated or used and/or is not effective or appropriate and/or is not relevant or timely; and/or does not follow APA style for references and citations.0-5 PointsNo external research is incorpor-ated or reference listed is not cited within text.10Report Format14-15 PointsReport is very well organized and is easy to read. Very few or no errors in sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; double-spaced, written in third person and presented in a professional format. 12-13 PointsReport reflects effective organization; has few errors in sentence structure, grammar, and spelling; double-spaced, written in third person and presented in a professional format. 10-11 PointsReport has some organization; may have some errors in sentence structure, grammar and spelling. Report is double spaced and written in third person.9 PointsReport is not well organized, and/or contains several grammar and/or spelling errors; and/or is not double-spaced and written in third person.0-8 PointsReport is extremely poorly written, has many grammar and/or spelling errors, or does not convey the informa-tion.15TOTAL PointsPossible100 ................
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