Introduction (this section not labeled in paper) on a new page

Include the following information in paragraph form in the introduction section, but not necessarily in this order. The introduction section should not be longer than half a page.

• Name of business

• Stock symbol (Note: A stock symbol is not the same as a logo. It is the letter

  abbreviation used to refer to the business by the stock market on which the businesss

  stock is traded.)

• Year founded

• Current CEO

• Current headquarters location

• Reason business founded

  General Environment (Use as an APA 7 Level 1 heading in the paper)

  The section on the general environment should include the following subsections. This section should include a total of eight distinct examples spread evenly throughout the four subsections. Make sure that the examples are truly unique, as opposed to one example explained two different ways. Please keep the subsections in the same order as below. Please write at least one separate paragraph for each subsection (e.g., one paragraph for economic, one paragraph for technological); however, a second paragraph (i.e., one paragraph per example) for each section is recommended if doing so is warranted and would enhance readability. Please keep the subsections in the same order as below.

  Economic (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• Two distinct examples required

• Tip: This section is about economic indices, not the businesss finances or stock price.

  Technological (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• Two distinct examples required

• Tip: This section is about how technological trends create opportunities or pose a threat

  to the business, not any technology the business produces.

  Sociocultural (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• Two distinct examples required

• Tip: This section deals not just with demographics, but also cultural aspects such as

  attitudes, values, etc. These elements are broad, so this section is not about how consumers feel about a specific type of product. If the example is about consumers relative to a specific product, then the example belongs in the consumer section.

Political/Legal (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• Two distinct examples required

• Tip: These are laws or political trends that are generally applicable, as opposed to

  specific to an industry. If the example is specific to an industry, then the example belongs in the industry regulation section in the Specific Environment.

  A logical sequence for each of the aforementioned sections is to identify and describe the environmental factor, then follow that with how the business will be impacted by the factor. Then move on to the second factor for the category and repeat the sequence. One paragraph should be suitable, but if the paragraph approaches half a page in length it would be wise to break the subsection into two paragraphs (i.e., one paragraph per example). Remember, an environmental analysis discusses how the external environment affects the business, NOT how the business affects the environment. Do not write about what the business is doing, but instead how it is impacted.

  Specific Environment (Use as an APA 7 Level 1 heading in the paper)

  The section on the specific environment should include the following subsections. This section should include a total of nine distinct examples distributed by section as detailed below. Make sure that the examples are truly unique, as opposed to one example explained two different ways. Please keep the subsections in the same order as below. Please write at least a separate paragraph for each subsection (e.g., one paragraph for customer, one paragraph for competitor); however, a second paragraph (i.e., one paragraph per example) for each section is recommended if doing so is warranted and would enhance readability. Please keep the subsections in the same order as below.

  Customer (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• Two distinct examples required

• Tip: Do not write something vague like The business depends on customers for its

  survival.

  Competitor (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• Two distinct examples required

• Tip: Do not just identify competitors, but instead write about what the competitor is

  doing that presents an opportunity or threat for the business.

  Supplier (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• Two distinct examples required

• Tip: Mention specific suppliers and/or materials, as well as the opportunities and/or

  threats. Do not write something vague like The business depends on its suppliers.

Industry Regulation (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• Two distinct examples required

• Tip: These are laws or industry-imposed regulations trends that are specific to an

  industry, as opposed to applicable to most or all companies. Examples could be laws passed by governments of any level or regulations self-imposed by businesses belonging to an industry.

  Advocacy Groups (Use as an APA 7 Level 2 heading in the paper)

• One distinct example required

• Tip: Advocacy groups seek to influence the business to comply with the objectives of the

  advocacy groups; they are likely not charities the business has chosen to work with for charitable purposes.

  Conclusion (Use as an APA 7 Level 1 heading in the paper)

  The conclusion section, which should not be longer than one or two paragraphs, should identify the most pressing factor in each of the two environmental classifications (i.e., general and specific) and explain why these two are the most pressing opportunities or threats.