Business Policy & Strategy
Unit 1
                Business Policy
Business Policy defines the scope or spheres within which decisions
can be taken by the subordinates in an organization. It permits the
lower level management to deal with the problems and issues
without consulting top level management every time for decisions.
Business policies are the guidelines developed by an organization to
govern its actions. They define the limits within which decisions
must be made. Business policy also deals with acquisition of
resources with which organizational goals can be achieved. Business
policy is the study of the roles and responsibilities of top level
management, the significant issues affecting organizational success
and the decisions affecting organization in long-run.
           Nature of Business Policy:
•   Specific: If a policy is not specific, implementation becomes inconsistent and
    unreliable. For example, "Employees may not park in the guest parking lot."
•   Clear: A business policy has no ambiguity. It is written in easy-to-understand
    language. For example, "Immediate release of employment is the result of
    company drivers having two points on their driving record."
•   Uniform: The policy should be a standard that everyone can follow from the top
    management to the plant workers. For example, "Anyone entering the
    construction site must have a protective hat, shoes and glasses on at all times."
•   Appropriate: Business policies should be relevant to organizational goals and
    needs. For example, "Discrimination and sexual harassment accusations are
    investigated with disciplinary action applicable based on investigation findings."
•   Simple: Policy must be understood by all that it applies to within the business. For
    example, "No smoking within 100 feet of welding operations designated by the
    painted yellow floor lines."
•   Inclusive: A business policy isn't something relevant to a small group in the
    business, it must cover the wide scope and include everyone. For example,
    "Business attire is required at all times in the office or meeting with clients."
•   Stable: This refers to implementation. If an incident arises, the policy should be
    stable such that there is no indecisiveness about following it. For example, "Cell
    phones are not permitted in the conference room."
             Policy Vs. Strategy
• Policy is a blueprint of the organizational activities which
  are repetitive/routine in nature. While strategy is
  concerned with those organizational decisions which have
  not been dealt/faced before in same form.
• Policy formulation is responsibility of top level
  management. While strategy formulation is basically done
  by middle level management.
• Policy deals with routine/daily activities essential for
  effective and efficient running of an organization. While
  strategy deals with strategic decisions.
• Policy is concerned with both thought and actions. While
  strategy is concerned mostly with action.
• A policy is what is, or what is not done. While a strategy is
  the methodology used to achieve a target as prescribed by
  a policy.
                 Forecasting
• Forecasting is about predicting the future as
  accurately as possible, given all of the
  information available, including historical data
  and knowledge of any future events that might
  impact the forecasts.
• Forecasting is a common statistical task in
  business, where it helps to inform decisions
  about     the    scheduling      of    production,
  transportation and personnel, and provides a
  guide to long-term strategic planning.
              Types of Forecast
• Short-term forecasts
     are needed for the scheduling of personnel,
     production and transportation. As part of the
     scheduling process, forecasts of demand are often
     also required.
• Medium-term forecasts
     are needed to determine future resource
     requirements, in order to purchase raw materials,
     hire personnel, or buy machinery and equipment.
• Long-term forecasts
     are used in strategic planning. Such decisions must
     take account of market opportunities,
     environmental factors and internal resources.