Week 4 (3/17/2013)
1. Who is a strategist? Describe the
main types of jobs that have a strong strategy element.
Answer
Strategists are the individual people in an
organization who are responsible for making strategies to achieve the long term
objectives which are apparently based with the vision of an organization.
Strategists are directly responsible with the success or failure of the
company. Formulation, implementation and evaluation of good strategies lead the
organization to the success.( www.forbes.com)
The types of jobs that have strong
strategy element in their job responsibility are:
Ø
CEO / COO/ MD
Ø
Director / Executive
Ø
Consultant / Business
Analyst
Ø
Leader / Associate
Ø
Owner / Founder
2. What’s the difference between a
strategic planner and a strategy consultant? (Use your own
words or referenced
quotes)
Answer
Strategic Planners are
the employees within an organization who are responsible for making and
implementing strategies for the organization. Their strategy is totally
responsible for maintaining the correct pace of profit and growth of an
organization. They help to grab the benefit from lucrative market and to
counter the competitor move in market.
Strategic consultants are the experts related to
strategy from outside the organization. They are hired in company to make
effective plan and for the settlement of strategic change in an organization.
They study and analyze the environment and they pin point the relevant options
and issues proper strategy for the organization. Basically they are hired for
short terms projects.
3. What were your answers to
question 1 and 2 on the group exercise this week?
Answer
I mentioned the following five
strategists for question 1 due to the following reasons:
a) Business leader
Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of
Amazon.com
He is pioneer in the world of
internet commerce. He discovered the concept of “predictive analytics” leading
the online commerce more profitable and making online shopping a better
experience.
b) Inventor or Scientist
Stephen William Hawking
He is a modern physicist and a
cosmologist. He has discovered various theories about black hole and
radiations, despite the fact that he is suffering from motor neuron disease and
is almost entirely paralyzed.
c) Sport manager
Jose Antonio Camacho
He made long term strategy to take
the Chinese national football team to the level of Japan and South Korea.
d) Civil
rights campaigner
Pushpa Basnet, Founder of Early
Childhood Development Center (ECDC)
She works to strengthen the rights
of children living behind bars with their imprisoned parents.
e) Musician,
writer, film-maker or artists
Shahrukh khan, Indian superstar
Due to his entrepreneurship venture
and brand endorsement he has labeled himself as a “Brand
SRK”
4.You need to start preparing for week
5. See if you can find your first strategy job advert right now and post it as
a picture or attachment to this week’s learning journal entry.
Answer
Below is a job advert I found for a
strategy job as a strategy consultant in New York, USA.
Position: Strategic Analyst – Full Time
The Company
OPENLANE is the leading online auction company in North America
for automotive dealers to buy and sell wholesale vehicles. The company offers
proven, end-to-end auto remarketing solutions to auto manufacturers, captive
finance companies, lease and daily rental companies, financial institutions and
wholesale auto auctions throughout the United States and Canada. Since 1999,
OPENLANE’s products and services have enabled customers to reduce cycle times,
costs, and achieve greater profitability. Recently our company was
acquired by KAR Auction Services (NYSE: KAR). Joining the KAR family greatly
increases the growth potential of the company itself as well as our employees.
We are currently looking for new, talented team members to grow with the
company. We offer a dynamic, challenging, and fun atmosphere with a competitive
salary and generous benefits.
Primary Role
We are looking for a
Strategic Analyst for our Toronto office. In the role you will assist in the
continued entrenchment of OPENLANE as the leading online auction company in
North America for automotive dealers and consignors to buy and sell wholesale
vehicles by focusing on data-driven decision support via the compilation,
interpretation and application of quantitative measures; as well as the
collection of business intelligence to support existing and new business
initiatives.
In addition to working
independently in the execution of assigned duties, you will also interact with
clients and internal personnel to fully understand information requests and
effectively communicate findings.
The company has three
locations – Toronto, Ontario, Mesa, AZ and Redwood City, CA; some travel may be
required
Key Responsibilities
- Develop
and deliver key company and client reporting for the measurement of
program results; supported by succinct analyses as required
- Leverage
a solid understanding of relevant data sources and reporting metrics to
proactively investigate and analyze potential opportunities and/or
significant deviations from existing trends.
- Perform
quantitative data analysis, research competitive strategies, pricing
models and program attributes in order to make intelligent comparisons and
recommendations.
- Liaise
with various cross functional groups concerning programs and special
projects.
- General
business development support activities and other ad hocs as required
Qualifications
- Bachelors
degree in a Quantitative / Analytical / Business discipline.
- 0
- 2 years of experience in business/analytics an asset
- Advanced
knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Access is required
- Good
working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of applications (Excel,
Word, Power Point, Outlook, etc.)
- Basic
knowledge of Relational Databases is required
- Working
knowledge of standard data collection systems and Business Intelligence
(BI) software (ie. Cognos, Salesforce, etc); knowledge of SQL an asset
- Demonstrated
aptitude for interpreting business requirements into measurement-oriented,
results-focused metrics and analytics
- Superior
analytical and interpersonal skills with proven ability to effectively
interpret and communicate quantitative concepts to diverse audiences
- Detail
oriented with proven ability to meet deadlines, balance projects and
operate proactively in a highly flexible fast paced environment
- Strong
analytical and problem solving skills and attention to accuracy with
detail
- Proven
ability to prepare and deliver professional documents and presentations to
all levels of an organization.
- Strong,
effective communication skills; both verbal and written.
- Strong
planning and organizational skills, with the ability to anticipate
problems and opportunities, and develop effective strategies with clear
objectives.
- Excellent
organizational and time management skills to meet deadlines and handle
changing priorities.
- Ability
to work in a cross functional team at the divisional and corporate level
- Demonstrated
ability to work independently without constant supervision
References:
(n.d.). Retrieved from www.forbes.com: http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml
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