SUBDOMAIN 329.2 - EXECUTING ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY

Competency 329.2.1: Strategic Thinking and Execution - The graduate applies strategic thinking to the challenge of executing a strategic plan and demonstrates the ability to manage strategically.
Competency 329.2.3: Responsibility Centers and Balanced Scorecards - The graduate designs responsibility centers and develops a balanced scorecard system to improve strategic success.

Introduction:

In this task, you will analyze the “Utah Symphony and Utah Opera: A Merger Proposal” case study. You will develop a proposed action plan for the new leader, Anne Ewers, to help her in the development of a new strategy to measure the success of the ongoing merger process. The strategic goals for the first year of the merger include the following:

• Integrate the business processes of the two companies

• Reduce overall expenses as a percentage to profit

• Retain key employees

• Maintain audience base for both the Utah Opera and the Utah Symphony

• Identify and pursue synergistic opportunities between the two companies

Task:

A. Develop an action plan for Anne Ewers by doing the following:

1. Analyze the financial and leadership strengths and weaknesses of the Utah Symphony before the merger.

a. Recommend the key steps Anne should take to address these weaknesses to ensure a successful start of the merger.

2. Analyze the financial and leadership strengths and weaknesses of the Utah Opera before the merger.

a. Recommend the key steps Anne should take to address these weaknesses to ensure a successful start of the merger.

3. Analyze the four aspects of the scorecard from the attached “Business Scorecards” for each company. Consider the following in your analysis:

• How do these scorecards represent the differing cultures and visions of the companies?

• Do the