Homework: Leveraging Technology to Drive Competitive Advantage
We start studying the Reynolds Tool & Die case, so read it carefully.
One important distinction as you read the case; an acquisition is different from a joint venture. In the latter, the acquired entity ceases to exit, though the brand may live on. As such, the acquired entity typically falls under the purchaser's strategy and capital investments are made accordingly. In a joint venture there is no merger or acquisition; neither party is obligated to change anything from a capital investment standpoint.
Reynolds has engaged in both JV and acquisition. What are the competitive advantages, and how does IT play a role?
For this homework, you are assuming the role of senior IT manager. Reynolds Tool & Die has decided on a set of competitive advantages it would like to pursue. The company has asked you to provide a 2 pages executive summary outlining how you believe the company can leverage IT to achieve as many of these advantages as possible.
Instructions
Read the course scenario for Reynolds Tool & Die. Based on the scenario, write a 2-page executive summary describing how you, as a senior IT manager, plan to leverage technology to achieve a competitive advantage for the company.
Title
Your paper should start with the title Executive Summary: Leveraging Technology to Achieve Competitive Advantages.
Introduction
An introductory paragraph should include the goal of the summary, which is how IT will leverage technology to achieve a competitive advantage.
Headings
Your headings should include:
1) Competitive Advantages
What are the competitive advantages the business would like to achieve? Don't choose a lot of topics. Focus on three or four competitive goals. These could include:
a) Lower cost of products or services
b) Greater internal workflow efficiency
c) Expansion into new markets
d) Introduction of a new product or service
e) Company re-organization, which could include creating separate divisions, a merger, or consolidation
2) A Current Assessment of the Internal IT Resources
Topics to address should include:
a) Current hardware, software, and services (third party, outsourcing, etc.)
b) Suggested changes, upgrades, and additions to the environment
3) The Plan to Leverage Technology to Achieve Competitive Advantage
Be specific when addressing your plan for leveraging technology. A good way to approach this topic will be to merge Headings I & II. For example:
a) Achieving lower costs of products or services might be achieved by upgrading aging data center equipment, virtualizing file servers, and, thus, reducing maintenance expense in the long term.
b) Investment in workflow software may eliminate time consuming manual processes, thus setting the stage for workforce reduction, which will lead to cost savings.
c) Updated or new Customer Relationship Software may help in developing new markets.
d) Updated or new ERP software may help facilitate new and better production techniques.
e) Cloud services could create a more nimble, flexible IT organization, quickly enabling mergers, acquisitions, or consolidations.
4) Conclusion
Your concluding paragraph should be a brief statement reinforcing your position regarding leveraging technology and briefly summing up the document.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Attachment:- Scenario.rar