You are an entry-level business analyst working for one of the world-renowned, boutique strategy consulting firms, whose high-fee, advisory services are frequently retained by major publicly listed companies for advising the companies to optimize their long long-term performance.
One of the principal consultants at your firm has asked you to carry out a preliminary research on a prospective client (i.e., your assigned company). After doing an extensive preliminary investigation on the company based on archival research, you will be required to write an internal report to a panel of principal consultants at your firm. Your report will provide an overview to your assigned company.
In addition, you will develop a basic financial model for the assigned company, as a starting point for a more complex financial modeling at a later stage by your firm’s senior consultants, should the prospective client agree to retain your firm’s services. Memo #1: Nestle Profile Required Tasks and Outline (Include at least the following headings and content) • Cover Page: (Nestle name, image of company logo, student name, class information, date, etc.).
Note: It is not necessary to have a table of content page. • Introduction: o Motivation (purpose: Why you write this memo). o Nestle history (a brief, 1 paragraph, history of the Nestle). o Roadmap for the upcoming sections. • Nestle Overview: o Description of the company’s business (what the Nestle does, what business/industry it is in, what market sector it services). o Nestle’s vision testament, mission statement, and statement of values. o Nestle’s goals and objectives (specific goals that Nestle wants to achieve). o
The Nestle’s industry (who are Nestle’s direct competitors? what are the main drivers of the industries?). o Business competitiveness: (the core competencies that Nestle believes it has; what makes the Nestle’s business competitive with other businesses; what are the company’s competitive advantages). o Descriptive financial analysis (analysis of key variables in company’s basic financial information over the last 4-5 years; analysis of sales/revenues breakdown based on products and geographic markets; etc.). o Business model (how does the firm make most of its profits?).
o Corporate strategy activities (e.g., diversification, vertical integration, horizontal integration, organic growth, acquisitions, international expansions, etc.). • Management & Ownership: o Shareholders/ownership structure (ownership percentages and structure). o Strategic partnership (if any, and reasons for strategic alliances). o Directors (top management team – name(s) and any interesting background/experience, etc.). o Management structure (an organogram may be added showing the management structure and reporting hierarchy).
o Number of employees (nationally and internationally); location of headquarters, existing international operation(s) (if any), etc. • Recent Developments: o A brief summary of key trends and challenges identified by management in the company’s latest quarterly earning calls. o Very recent and significant developments about the company in the news (if any). • References • Appendices
