1.       Industry Research Report Overview

The research report will require careful examination of the current structure and performance of the industry. Based on this research, there must be identification of a specific business opportunity that exists within the industry. More than one opportunity may be examined if they are complementary.

Please note, these are DISCUSSION POINTS ONLY to kick start your thinking. Do NOT simply answer each issue with short statements. I am looking for an in-depth analysis of the industry.

The key to a strong industry report is a focus on the INDUSTRY itself and not on a proposed solution.

The second key is to provide meaningful analysis and not just report the facts or data

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3.       Summary Statement and Abstract

·         The summary focuses on the purpose and objectives of the research project

·         This section MUST provide a scope for the research project

·         Provide an overview of the project you are undertaking and the benefits it should provide an organization

·         Do NOT focus on your proposed solution

4.       Situation Analysis

·         What are the key issues/challenges/opportunities facing the industry?

·         What are the underlying causes?

·         What are the KEY SUCCESS FACTORS in the industry

                                                               i.      Are these stable or changing?

·         What are the drivers and rate of change in the industry

5.       Industry Analysis

·         Industry Overview

·         Structure and Performance

                                                               i.      Size of industry

                                                             ii.      Profit margins

                                                            iii.      Economic/Market structure

                                                           iv.      Seasonality (if any)

                                                             v.      Sensitivity to economic cycles

·         This must include Porter’s Five Forces

·         Stage of Product/Industry Lifecycle

·         Environmental Analysis (PEST)

·         Recent (past) trends in the industry

·         Future Directions

6.       Market Analysis 

·         Focus your discussion on the market that will most likely be impacted by the opportunity or problem being addresses

·         Who is the target market

                                                               i.      Is this a B2C or B2B market

·         Undertake a demographic analysis

·         Undertake a psychographic analysis

·         Discuss and analyse consumer behaviour

                                                               i.      Benefits sought (or problem solved) from the industry

                                                             ii.      Where do they find information on the product 

                                                            iii.      Price value equation

                                                           iv.      Distribution (supply chain) channels in the industry

·         Prevalent marketing strategies in the industry

7.       Competitive Analysis

·         Who are the major players in the industry

                                                               i.      Who are the strongest and weakest

                                                             ii.      Which companies are adapting to the changes in the industry

                                                            iii.      Who needs to change the most (or fastest)

                                                           iv.      Where are they located

·         What is their market share (what is the trend)

·         What makes them successful?

·         What are their core and distinctive competencies

·         What is their sustainable competitive advantage

8.       Completed Project Plan

·         Identify all of the activities, required to complete the final project successfully.

·         Assign both deadlines and owners to each activity

9.       Bibliography