Final Reflection & Course Wrap-Up Assignment

Final Reflection & Course Wrap-Up Assignment Due: December 4 Points: 30 Purpose The purpose of this reflection is to synthesize your learning from the course and connect the major strategy frameworks, readings, and simulations to your overall MBA experience. This final assignment is designed to help you internalize key takeaways about how strategic thinking, value creation, and execution come together to drive competitive advantage. Instructions Please submit a 2 page reflective essay (double-spaced, 12-point font) addressing the prompts below. You may write in first person. Be specific, analytical, and connect your insights to course content, cases, and readings. Reflection Prompts 1. Integrating Strategy Concepts (10 points) Reflect on how your understanding of strategy evolved throughout the semester—from “What is Strategy?” (Porter, 1996) to execution (Kaplan & Norton, 2005). Identify two key frameworks (e.g., Porter’s Five Forces, RBV/VRIO, Blue Ocean Strategy, Balanced Scorecard, Shared Value, etc.) that you found most influential. Explain how you applied these frameworks in your case discussions, simulation rounds (DigiStrat), or group project. 2. Linking Theory to Practice (8 points) Choose one case from the semester that most resonated with you (e.g., Apple, Huawei, Solageo, Alibaba, Nissan, or Fleury Group). Discuss how that case demonstrated the intersection of theory and practice in strategic decision-making. What was the most important lesson you took away about how real-world firms build and sustain competitive advantage? 3. Strategy Execution & Leadership (6 points) Reflect on what you learned about turning strategy into action. How do the ideas from The Secrets to Successful Strategy Execution and Turning Great Strategy into Great Performance relate to your experience in DigiStrat or your team’s project? What skills or mindsets are critical for effective strategy execution in your own organization or career path? 4. Personal Application & MBA Integration (6 points) Looking across your MBA program, how has this course helped you connect the dots between finance, marketing, operations, and leadership? How will you apply what you learned in this course to your future career or entrepreneurial ventures? End with one “strategic insight” or quote from the course (case, article, or lecture) that best captures your view of what effective strategy looks like today. Formatting & Submission Length: 2 pages (excluding title page, and references) Format: 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced Include your name, date, and course title on the first page Submit to Blackboard by Wednesday, December 4 at 11:59 PM Evaluation Criteria (30 Points Total) Criteria Description Points Integration of Strategy Concepts Depth of analysis and application of frameworks 10 Link Between Theory and Case Practice Ability to connect academic theory with real-world case insights 8 Strategy Execution & Leadership Reflection Thoughtful insights on leadership and execution challenges 6 Personal & Professional Application Relevance and clarity in connecting learning to career or goals 6 Total 30