Alan Firmin Ltd Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Alan Firmin Ltd - Essay Example Another form of strategy may involve availability of large warehouses to take goods closer to customers. This assists in cutting down the cost of operation and subsequently increasing profits. Alan Firmin Ltd explains what mission, vision, goals, objectives, and core competencies are. In most companies, it is difficult to distinguish between missions and visions. However, the two have a difference if one does a proper analysis. While the mission focus on what the business intends to do currently, vision focus on future achievements. For instance. Alan Firmin Ltd has a main mission of delivery goods and services to the customers at the right time while mitigating environmental pollution. Its vision has been to ‘become a global transport and logistics company.’ however; vision is an extension of the main mission of the company. In most cases, companies may have missions but no vision (Fahey 1999, p.87). To achieve the mission of the company, objectives and goals become imp erative. Objectives objective ways or strategies, which the business must use to reach the mission of the business. Objectives are related to goals with only exception being that the latter are more refined and specific to the mission of the company. ... Question 2 Strategic planning is a long process involved in focusing on the overall assessment of the company. The main questions are ‘what needs to be done, why, to whom and when?’ the aim is to make the company more effective and competitive in the market. It is the process where rational objectives are highlighted to assist in achieving the mission and vision of the company. Question 3 The SWOT analysis and PESTEL are the most suitable planning techniques or tools used to achieve the strategies. In the first category, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the business are analyzed. Under this, the competitor analysis for instance can provide a company with strategies needed to make the business more competent. PESTEL involves the analysis of political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors, which may affect a business. Question 4 The economic downturn has contributed to many challenges within the world of business. For th e 2007/2008 economic depression prompted many companies to downsize in order to reduce the cost of operation. On the other hand, companies had to reduce the scope of their businesses due to reduced revenue. However, companies should go beyond their normal business activities and include others that are closely related (Lorenzen 2006, p.56). The selected business activities however must reduce the cost of operation and increase the business revenue. For the purpose of this company, two main activities ought to be included within the strategic structure. Outsourcing and construction of large warehouses are the two main activities proposed. The two play an important role of providing the business with a competitive edge over its main competitors. The