Implementing Strategic Change
You are randomly assigned the role of Vice President of one of the following five major functional areas:
Assigned functional area – R&D/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
The materials for this module are the Toy Industry/Jakks Pacific case reading from Module 3 (as well as your analysis and understanding of Jakks and their industry), the ‘UPDATE on Jakks’ provided in the Module 4 folder, and Chapter 10 of the textbook.
Review the Toy Industry/Jakks Pacific reading
Read the UPDATE on Jakks
You can do PART 1 with just the two readings above (and your understanding of your functional area’s role business).
ASSIGNMENT
PART 1 – This is an INDIVIDUAL assignment.
Think as if you are the Vice President in charge of your functional area of Jakks. Write a brief memo addressing the following tasks/questions:
1. What do you believe are the most valuable ways your functional area can contribute to the success of this new strategic direction?
2. With which other functional area(s) will you need to coordinate with, get support from, or give support to in order for your area to be effective in supporting this new direction? Explain the important cross-functional relationships you identify.
3. Does this change require your area to do something new? If so, describe any new, additional resources or capabilities you believe your functional department needs to be effective in this new strategic context.
Important that you demonstrate: (a) understanding and addressing the assignment; (b) quality and depth of thinking about relevant functional implications (requires reasonable understanding the functional role, Jakks as a business, and the industry); (c) clarity and quality of writing/communication.
