This is an individual assessment that requires students to demonstrate an understanding of key business analysis
frameworks by applying them to the selected company.
You are required to conduct a structured analysis of the chosen company’s external and internal business
environment using the following strategic tools:
PESTEL Analysis – to examine the macro-environmental factors affecting the company.
Porter’s Five Forces – to evaluate the competitiveness and structure of the industry in which the company
operates.
SWOT Analysis – to identify the company’s internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities
and threats.
Your analysis should:
– Be well-structured and clearly presented.
– Demonstrate understanding of the analytical models.
– Include relevant examples and evidence to support your points.
– Be referenced appropriately using an academic referencing style (e.g., Harvard).
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step-by-Step Writing Guide
Step 1: Choose a Company
Select a real, well-documented company (e.g., Tesla, Amazon, Unilever, Netflix, Zara) so you can easily access financial data, industry reports, and company strategy.
Step 2: Structure Your Report Clearly
Follow this suggested format:
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Introduction
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Brief overview of the company (industry, market position, mission)
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Purpose of the report: to analyze its internal and external business environment
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PESTEL Analysis
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Political: Government stability, trade regulations, tax policies
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Economic: Inflation, interest rates, GDP trends, consumer income
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Sociocultural: Demographics, lifestyle trends, consumer behavior
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Technological: Innovation, digital transformation, R&D trends
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Environmental: Sustainability regulations, climate change
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Legal: Labor laws, compliance requirements
Tip: Use real data and industry news. For example, how are changing environmental laws affecting Tesla or how is inflation impacting retail? -
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Porter’s Five Forces
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Threat of New Entrants
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers
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Bargaining Power of Buyers
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Threat of Substitutes
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Industry Rivalry
Explain how competitive the industry is. Use examples—like how Netflix faces high rivalry from Disney+ and Amazon Prime. -
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SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: What internal capabilities give the company an edge? (e.g., brand reputation, tech leadership)
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Weaknesses: Where does the company fall short? (e.g., high costs, supply chain issues)
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Opportunities: What external trends could benefit the company? (e.g., emerging markets, digitalization)
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Threats: What external risks does it face? (e.g., new regulations, disruptive competitors)
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Step 3: Use Real, Recent Evidence
Support each section with facts:
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Use company annual reports, news articles, industry databases, and analyst commentary.
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Cite every data point or direct insight using Harvard referencing style.
Step 4: Conclusion (Optional but Recommended)
Wrap up with a brief reflection on:
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What the analysis reveals about the company’s strategic position
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Which factors are most critical for its success in the near future
Step 5: Reference List
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Include a list of all sources used (properly formatted in Harvard style).
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Use academic or business sources—avoid blogs or informal opinions.
Useful Resources for Your Analysis
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