Environmental Scans

Environmental Scans

Environmental Scan
Introduction
There are many companies that face challenges with environmental problems.   According to Business Dictionary, “an environmental scan is the vigilant monitoring and evaluation of a firm’s external and internal environments for detecting early signs of opportunities and threats that may influence current and future plans” (BusinessDictionary.com, 2011).   In strategic planning, an environmental scan can help organizations increase its understanding of external and internal environmental issues that help the company achieve its long-term goals.   This paper will attempt to recognize and explore the internal and external issues of two successful companies, Apple and Coca-Cola.   This paper will further discuss and examine the strategies and competitive advantages used by Apple and Coca-Cola.   Also, this paper will take a look and measure the guidelines used to validate the effectiveness of its guidelines strategies.
Internal and External Environments
The internal and external environments shows the beneficial knowledge for managers that want to increase its long-term efficiency and develop a strategic plan for its business.   Any organization is broken down into internal and external departments.   Internal controls are compiled of elements that are directly related to the inner workings of the company.   Included in the internal structure are the stakeholders, managers, employees, and the culture of the organization.   The external environment includes any factors that are beyond the company’s control.   These factors include but not limited to technological, political, economic, and legal factors.  

Environmental Scanning
There are many factors that help determine a company’s internal requirements.   A scan helps identify the company’s assets and requirements, internally.   An external scan can help a company evaluate and correct environmental issues it incurs.   Environmental scanning is also vital in helping...