Learning Activity 1 – Theme 1

As mentioned last week the planning process begins with an
environmental scan of the business and its relationship to vision
and mission statements. Using the expanded case study of LLB below
and the SWOT tool complete a business environmental scan.

Mohammed Abul and his family own the Long-lasting Boot (LLB)
store. LLB is a specialty boot store located in the downtown area
in a medium sized Scottsdale, Arizona and sells a broad line of
boots to all members of the family including a novelty pet line.
The store sells boots for work and recreation as well as a line of
expensive cowboy boots for the tourist trade. The business is
twenty-five years old. It has a reputation for being the best place
to get boots in the community because of the selection, quality,
and customer service. They will even work with custom designed
boots for people with unusually sized feet or medical problems. The
boots in some instances, work boots in particular, are considered
expensive by middle class buyers but the construction quality is so
long-lasting that it makes the higher prices seem worthwhile. Abul,
who is 32 years old and just out of the military after 10 years of
service, has returned to find the business at a crossroad.

The store is successful but sales are very slow growing at the
moment. The family is looking to boost sales by developing a
competitive edge for the future. The business has up till now been
successful because of its ability to anticipate changing boot
styles. In the past three years sales have remained constant but
growth has waned. Despite sales, loyalty reward cards and staying
open late revenue has not grown. Yet total sales in the Central
City metropolitan area including the suburbs have grown
substantially. Volume stores like Wal-Mart and large shoe chain
stores like Payless have boot sales that pull in three times the
sales of LLB.

Abul and the family are planning for the next three years and
want to find ways to increase sales. They have come to you for
advice. As their consultant you want to cover the following ideas
in your reply:

What is meant by long-term planning?

The tools and information needed to evaluate the future
goals.

The conclusions you have drawn from evaluating the information
and analysis of the facts of this case.

The recommendations that you would make.

Learning Activity 2 – Theme 2 & 3

In the planning phase, managers create a detailed action plan
aimed at the organizational goals. Strategic management, or what
you will learn as strategizing, is what an organization will do or
not do to achieve the goals and objectives that lead to meeting the
stated mission and vision. Using the vision, mission, and SWOT
analysis created in week three and LA1 complete the following:

Create three long term goals and objectives (3
each) for the business (2 years forward);

Create three medium term (operational) goals and
objectives (3 each) for the business (usually accomplished
within the year);

Create three short term (day, week, month) goals and
objectives (3 each) for the business; and

Create at least three contingency goals in the event the current
strategy would fail.

You will be in teams for both activities as well. Please post
the results on Friday and the comments Saturday. Sunday will be
complete follow up on both weeks.

Learning Activity 1, Theme 1

Pro webpage :
http://managementstudyguide.com/planning_advantages.htm

Con webpage:
http://managementstudyguide.com/planning_disadvantages.htm

Planning can be good because it provides a platform for
objectives of an organization to come to light, meaning a way to
jump start progess and can encourage co-ordination and improve
morale. However, if planning is not done correctly itcan do the
reverse of what management intended. For instance, if management is
not flexible with the planning stage it can limit employees such as
input/ ideas and can hinder innovation.

Learning Activity 2, Theme 2

Vision Statement: Where we value our customers and all their
needs, Long-lasting Boot has proudly served the great Scottsdale,
Arizona community with customized boots for all members of the
family, including our four legged members, in fashion design and
medical needs. We are continually advancing with top of the line
products to ensure our customers boots are meant for walking.

Mission Statement: Here at Long-lasting Boot, we strive to
produce a one-of-a-kind boot designed by and for the customers. We
aim to provide the most sought out boots in Arizona by ensuring
that our boots are made with top of line materials and each boot is
checked for quality workmanship. Our employees are family to us as
well as our customers.