Topic Netflix: - The paper will be your groups analysis of a publicly traded firm (i.e., the entire company, not just a division or brand). The firm may be traded on any exchange (U.S., non-U.S.). The firm must be publicly traded so that you will have access to financial and other information needed for analysis. Your group will prepare and present its findings in the way a management consulting team would.
Use reputable source material (e.g., Businessweek, Industry Week, Forbes, industry-specific publications, etc.). Access source material online from the Kean Library. The barcode on the back of your student ID is the password for remote access to the library. URLs, blogs, and company websites are unacceptable citation sources.
1) Paper outline
a) Abstract: A summary of the paper - not a history of the company. Include only the main issues - current strategy and performance, the firm's options, problem areas. This section should be written only after the paper is completed.
b) External Analysis: Analyze external Opportunities and Threats (e.g., industry-competitive, economic, demographic, political-legal, technological, etc.).
c) Internal Analysis: Analyze internal Strengths and Weaknesses (e.g., resources - financial and non-financial, tangible and intangible). Include financial trend data - available from finance.yahoo.com and edgar.sec.gov. Use financial ratios over time (3 years) to analyze performance.
d) Strategic Options and Recommendations: Synthesize your findings from #b and #c to identify options. Use SWOT. Do not use far-fetched or unworkable alternatives to make your final recommendation appear more attractive. Make reasonable assumptions relative to your recommendations, but do not invent facts. Identify feasible options you can evaluate with objective criteria (e.g., if you recommend something, can your firm get the financial or other resources needed to carry out your recommendation?).
e) Implementation Steps: Identify the sequence of steps needed to put your recommendations into action. Identify how you will get required resources, how you will deal with resistance to change, provide financial projections based upon your recommendations.
2) Format the Paper Correctly: 15 pages double-spaced APA format (excluding cover, TOC, and appendix). Page numbers. Use headings in the paper to identify sections. Use an appendix for financial data, tables, or charts, and reference these in the body of your paper.