As an aside – My personal belief is that concepts and theories are of little value to each us if we do not learn to apply them to the real world. For this reason, we will have applied activities as often as possible.  We are always learning together, myself included.  Please feel free to call or email me if you want to discuss further.

This SIA assignment requires you apply a concept or theory we have learned to a subject that is current in the ‘real’ world. The assigned topic for Application Assignment 2 is:  Sears OR JC Penney OR Kmart (select JUST one)

In Chapter 11, we examine and explore strategic change. 

Your assignment (read carefully): Read the following article: https://www.businessinsider.com/why-department-stores-sears-jcpenney-are-struggling-2018-10

Conduct research on organizations that have re-invented themselves (making strategic changes to remain competitive in a changing global business environment).  There are MANY examples available for study.  Remember, examples do not have to come from the same stores or even the same industry.  Using our textbook and your own research write at least two pages of analysis and discussion on key findings/elements of companies that have been successful in ‘reinventing’ themselves to remain competitive in a changing global market environment.  You must incorporate at least 5 quality sources. 

Next, based on your findings, prepare a minimum one-page recommendation for the board of directors of Sears, JCP, or Kmart to address the problem in the article in the link at the start of the assignment.  Include specific recommendations that that include the discussion and implementation plan for at least 3 new initiatives Sears/JCP/Kmart can pursue to reinvent themselves.  Put these together in one document for a MINIMUM three total pages of content (not including reference and title pages).  Please follow APA format guidelines. 

In other words, after writing an analysis evaluating what companies have successfully done to reinvent themselves (2+pages), you should be in a position to make recommendations for the Sears/JCP/Kmart board (1+pages). Act as if you are a consultant, hired to help the company progress. What advice or guidance would you offer them based on the information you ascertained during your analysis?

*Remember, this is your ability to show off what you have learned as well as your ability to apply it to a real world situation.

**Do not confuse this assignment with the change discussed on page 4 of Chapter 11 ~ this is different and should be based on the content of the article in the link above.

** Please link chapters to the assignment**