Assume the directors choose Option B. Discuss the importance to BSJ of effective strategic implementation of this option.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [Knowledge] Strategic implementation is the process that turns strategies into actions to achieve objectives
2. [Knowledge] Strategic implementation involves producing (a) business plan(s), and/or setting out how corporate culture may need to change, managing that change and preparing contingency/crisis plans
3. [Knowledge] Business plans have no set layout
4. [Knowledge] Plans may contain a summary and details of the product and market, plus plans for production, marketing, organisation and finances
5. [Knowledge] Plans enable finance to be obtained, viability of projects/changes, give a sense of direction, assess available resources and review progress
6. [Knowledge] Plans take time and resources/research to produce
7. [Knowledge] Plans will indicate which is most commercially viable and in what time scale
8. [Application] Market conditions and impact on decisions of BSJ when entering the market
9. [Application] rise of e-commerce
10. [Application] change in distribution
11. [Application] increase in forecast total sales in sector
12. [Application] new small firms entering market
13. [Application] Need to recruit employees capable of developing systems for interface with consumers
14. [Application] Problems of communication/culture, high reject rates, late for fairs
15. [Application] BSJ not thinking of changing product
16. [Analysis] Linking process of strategic management to possible objectives and plans for BSJ
17. [Analysis] Changes being considered in framework of strategic management
18. [Analysis] Framework for strategic management takes account of need to change distribution strategy and methods
19. [Analysis] Consequence of failure to implement effectively e.g. impact on sales, revenue and profits
20. [Evaluation] Requires objectives to be set
21. [Evaluation] Supported conclusion on role of strategic implementation especially regarding role of objectives, monitoring, review and contingency
22. [Evaluation] Importance for success of getting culture right
23. [Evaluation] Relative importance of constituent sections of strategic implementation
24. [Evaluation] Necessity of review/updating plans
25. [Evaluation] Importance of accurate reliable data/information