A thought leadership article (Task 1) A business Strategic Consultancy Report (Task 2) Task No. Assessment Type Title Format Requirements Word Count Referencing Style Task 1 Thought Leadership Article Competing in a Globalised
Assignment Tasks Submission Format: A two-part professional portfolio comprising:
A thought leadership article (Task 1) A business Strategic Consultancy Report (Task 2) Task No. Assessment Type Title Format Requirements Word Count Referencing Style Task 1 Thought Leadership Article Competing in a Globalised World: Strategic Complexities and Opportunities Professional article format with clear headings, subheadings, and visuals (e.g. charts, infographics, images)
Appropriate for publication in a business journal (e.g. Global Business Quarterly)
Include introduction, critical analysis, contemporary examples, and conclusion with recommendations. PDF 2,500–3,000 words (excluding references and appendices) Harvard Referencing Task 2 Strategic Consultancy Report Developing a Global Strategy for Diageo plc Formal business report format including Title page, Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Structured Sections, Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations.
Use of strategic models (e.g. McKinsey 7S, CAGE, Bartlett & Ghoshal)- Visuals and diagrams where appropriate-Appendices (if needed) PDF 2,500-3,000 words (excluding references and appendices) Harvard Referencing ✓ AI use: If you are using AI for any purposes, all "prompts used" should be shown after the references section to avoid any AI related academic misconduct.
✓ All work must be referenced using the Harvard system and include a full bibliography. Submissions must be academically sound and demonstrate critical engagement with appropriate sources such as Textbooks, Journals, and credible websites.
✓ While there is a word count defined with this assignment, you will not be penalised for exceeding it.
✓ Use clear headings and subheadings. Include a title page, headings, and a reference list. Avoid bullet points unless summarising. Formal tone: Avoid conversational language; write with clarity, authority, and neutrality.
✓ Note: Academic integrity: All work must be your own. Plagiarism, fabrication of data, or improper referencing will be treated as academic misconduct. To be submitted over totara as one single .pdf file.
© 2024 UniCourse Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Issue 2 – 2025/26 | Page 1 of 5
Vocational Scenario or Context You have recently joined Vantage Stratagem, a leading London-based global management consultancy renowned for supporting FTSE350 clients in navigating the complexities of international expansion and strategic transformation. The consultancy specialises in market intelligence, strategic risk management, organisational design, and global value chain optimisation. Its client portfolio spans multiple sectors, including consumer goods, healthcare, energy, and digital commerce.
One of your primary clients is Diageo plc, a British multinational and the world's largest producer of premium alcoholic beverages. With operations across more than 180 countries, Diageo owns globally recognised brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Tanqueray, and Smirnoff. Despite its strong international presence, Diageo is currently contending with a range of strategic challenges: navigating post-Brexit trade policies, responding to regional economic instability, addressing disparities in regulatory and cultural norms, and maintaining ethical and sustainable supply chain practices across diverse global markets.
In your role as a Global Strategy Analyst, you have been tasked with supporting Diageo's Global Strategy and Operations Division in refining its approach to global competitiveness and organisational alignment. Your responsibilities include conducting detailed macroeconomic and sectoral research, evaluating strategic and operational risks, and formulating evidence-informed recommendations that enhance Diageo's strategic responsiveness in a volatile global landscape.
To demonstrate your capabilities, you have been asked to produce two professional outputs as shown in the tasks below. These tasks are not only essential for your own professional development but also serve as a foundation for guiding strategic decision-making at board level. Your outputs must reflect high levels of analytical thinking, contextual awareness, and relevance to contemporary global business dynamics.
Task 1 Learning Outcomes Covered: LO1 and LO2 Task 1: Thought Leadership Article – Globalisation and Strategic Complexity. Task Instructions:
Prepare a thought leadership article (2,500-3000 words) to be published in Global Business Quarterly. Your article must provide:
A critical analysis of the key factors (e.g. cost, market, environment, competition) that are driving globalisation. An evaluation of how these factors create opportunities and challenges for businesses. An examination of the strategic complexities involved in operating globally, including issues such as risk, diversification, and supply chain management. Use real-world examples and relevant academic models (e.g. PESTEL, Porter's Diamond, Global Value Chains) To achieve the higher grades, ensure you:
Present critical evaluations (not just descriptions) Integrate theoretical perspectives with practical insights. Use evidence-based reasoning from scholarly and industry sources. © 2024 UniCourse Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Issue 2 – 2025/26 | Page 2 of 5
Task 2 Learning Outcomes Covered: LO3 and LO4
Task 2: Strategic Consultancy Report for Diageo plc Assessment Format: A professionally written consultancy report (2,500–3,000 words) addressed to Diageo's executive board.
Task Brief:
Prepare a strategic consultancy report for Diageo plc, commissioned by your consultancy firm, Vantage Stratagem. The report will inform senior executives of the organisation on how to enhance global strategic effectiveness and responsiveness in complex international environments. Your report should:
Evaluate the impact of global market operations on Diageo's organisational structure, leadership, culture, and governance. Critically examine how ethics, sustainability, and cultural diversity influence strategic decision-making across Diageo's global operations. Apply analytical models such as McKinsey's 7S, CAGE, or Bartlett & Ghoshal's Typology to guide your evaluation and recommendations. Propose strategic objectives that reflect Diageo's diverse stakeholder expectations and regulatory environments. Develop a comprehensive and integrated global strategy that strengthens Diageo's competitive advantage while promoting agility and ethical compliance in multi-market contexts. To achieve higher grades, you must:
Demonstrate critical engagement with global strategy literature and practical models Provide well-justified recommendations grounded in research and real-world examples Maintain clarity, structure, and analytical depth in line with professional consultancy standards Sources to support you with this Assignment Textbooks ➢ BARTLETT, C. and BEAMISH, P. (2018). Transnational Management: Texts, Cases, and Readings in Cross-Border Management. 8th Ed. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill.
➢ DANIELS, J. D., RADEBAUGH, L. H. and SULLIVAN D. P. (2018) International Business Environments and Operations. 16th Ed. Harlow: Pearson.
➢ DERESKY, H. (2016). International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures. 9th Ed. Harlow: Pearson.
➢ PENG, M. (2016) Global Business. 4th Ed. Cengage Learning
You are expected to use relevant academic textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, and other credible sources to support your analysis throughout. Please ensure you are familiar with the use of in-text citations and the Harvard referencing style, and apply these consistently across the entire assignment.
❖ Professional Conversation Selected assignments will require a video conference to assess understanding before final grades are issued. All Grades remain provisional subject to the awarding body external moderation. © 2024 UniCourse Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Issue 2 – 2025/26 | Page 3 of 5
Websites: Website Description Global Strategy (General Reference) World Business Culture Country Profiles (General reference) World Trade Organization Document, Data and Resources (General reference) VelocityGlobal Resources Case studies (General reference) Links This unit links to the following related units:
Unit 1: The Contemporary Business Environment
Unit 50: International Marketing
Unit 56: Tapping into New and International Markets
HN Global © 2024 UniCourse Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Issue 2 – 2025/26 | Page 4 of 5
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria Pass Merit Distinction LO1 Analyse the key factors which drive globalisation P1 Analyse key factors of cost, market, environment and competition that drive global commerce and trade. M1 Critically analyse the impact that key factors have on the global business environment in terms of opportunities and challenges. LO1 and LO2
D1 Critically evaluate the global business environment, including the opportunities and challenges faced by organisations. LO2 Determine the strategic complexities associated with operating in a global environment P2 Examine the complexity of strategic challenges faced by organisations when operating in a global environment, supported by specific examples. M2 Evaluate strategic challenges in context of risk and diversification and the supply chain flow. LO3 Evaluate how operating in a global market influences an organisation's structure, culture and functions P3 Evaluate the influences of globalisation on organisational governance and leadership, structure, culture and functions.
P4 Discuss the influences of ethical and sustainable globalisation on organisational functions. M3 Critically evaluate influences of globalisation on organisational structure and culture and functions. D2 Make valid and justified recommendations of how organisations should adapt their organisational structure and strategy to support decision making in a global context. LO4 Develop a global strategy to support decision making for a given organisation. P5 Evaluate the different ways that decision making can work effectively in a global context.
P6 Devise objectives and strategies to support global decision making to meet business objectives. M4 Devise strategies that meet a range of different stakeholder perspectives in a global context. D3 Develop strategies that embed an integrated approach across different countries to achieve competitive advantage. © 2024 UniCourse Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Issue 2 – 2025/26 | Page 5 of 5
Note: This report is provided as a sample for reference purposes only. For further guidance, detailed solutions, or personalized assignment support, please contact us directly.