Assignment 7: Analyzing the firm's operational functions.

1. Create an Excel Spreadsheet that lists all of key functional strategies of the firm using the following functional areas:

Financial Function. The general control of financial operations and indicators

Marketing Function. The methods used and success of selling the firms goods or services

Technology Function (including R&D/IT). The state of the firms technology/IT and how it uses available technology/IT to achieve a competitive advantage

Human Resource Management Function. The firms management and development of its human assets, and

General Management and the Production and Operations Management Function. The ability of the management core to operate the firm.

2. Under each function list key subfunctions that impact that function (i.e. 5 P's of marketing)

3. In the next two columns (one entitled strengths, the other weaknesses) list at least one comment per subfunction

4. In the next column, on a scale of 1 - 10 (1=very weak; 10=very strong) rate each subfunction based upon your comments

5. In the next column, average your subfunctional scores for the function in question (i.e. the score for marketing would be the average score for the 5P's)

6. In the last column, bottom right, average the scores for the five major factors. Then answer the question, how functionaly strong is this firm? What improvements are the most warranted now and why?