Chapter I: Introduction to Business Analysis

Group Assignment 1

Team members:

Sakis

Yiting

Adriana

Mohammed Al-janabi

Irfan

Team workflow

Day1(8.18): Discussed the company we wanted to research together

Day2(8.19): We hold a zoom meeting and discussed questions 1-4

Day3(8.20): Completed the discussion of the remaining questions

1) Please describe the organization briefly.

THESGI Farmers’ Cooperative of Thessaly was founded in 2013. Today,

THESGI numbers 72 members. The head office is situated in Larissa (Greece)
and the croplands of its members (30.000 acres) are extended throughout
Thessaly.

Since 2014 Thesgi is involved in fresh vegetable production under the brand
name “thesgi fresco”. The main products are broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce.
The total production is on average 2 million kilos.

The majority of the products is channelled to big grocery retailer stores in

Greece as well as to wholesale markets throughout the country.

(Know more about THESGI: www.thesgi.gr)

2) What is the need that should be addressed? What kind of
problem/opportunity is the organization faced with?

Currently, the coop is working with a 3rd party logistics company in order to
transport its products to its customers. Although the partnership seems to
work fine, there are some issues that need to be addressed.

● Specific pick-up time: Due to the way the logistics company functions,
the pick up of the products is made at specific hours which makes the
handling of the goods difficult.
● Time delay: Moreover, it creates delays to the delivery times at the
coop’s clients which has an impact on the product’s freshness and
quality.
● Price: After analyzing the data, the management has discovered that
logistics companies charge a lot for their services and this increases
the overall price of the products.

3) Propose a possible solution to address the need.

Solution: One way for the coop to solve this problem is by creating an
in-house logistics company and manage its own supply chain, thus having a
more efficient overall management of the products. It is also possible to
lower the transportation fees and improve the trading income.

Rent (share space) to ensure that during the three shifts the container is fully
loaded and you have some revenue savings.

4) How will it transform the organization?

Internal: Circular Economy model within the company providing all-round

Lowering costs, providing jobs, centralizing services and optimizing
processes.

External: Better services. Increasing goodwill (having a good reputation).

Increase business cooperation opportunities. Prevent delays and increase the
percentage of delivery goods.
5) Define the stakeholders that affect/are affected by the solution. Which are
internal, and which external?

Internal: Sales team, Pricing and Logistic branch

External: Farmers, local authorities, customs and clearance.

6) What kind of value will this solution bring to them? Is it tangible or

intangible?

Tangible: Cost saving and increased revenue. Increase Job opportunities

Intangible: Better quality, Services, High efficiency, optimization of processes.

Reliable corporate image

7) Describe the context (internal/external factors that can have an effect on

the organization’s approach to achieving its objectives).

Internal: Budget, new regulations and responsibilities, compliance and

security. Training new staff and adaptation of processes.

External: positioning of the brand, market research, promoting new services

with stakeholders and clients. Legal requirements, customs and clearance.

8) Now, try to elaborate on one positive scenario where the need of this
organization has been met and the solution proposed has been
successfully implemented.

a. Name some possible factors that have contributed to this.

● Finance: increase of assets and net worth of the cooperative. Revenue
increases since we have added services.
● Human resources: increasing employees/ departments, professional
training
● Logistic/operations: increased scope for distribution and areas of
impact.
b. How has the solution influenced the stakeholders?

Improve the efficiency of cooperation between farmers and enterprises

Create a more stable overall business.

 Shareholders may have increased their shares values.

Cost savings - invest in the training - improve the professionalism of

employees

9) On the other hand, there are many factors contributing to a negative

scenario that will prevent successful achievement of the goal of this
organization.

a) Name a few pain points that if ignored, might severely impact the
organization.

VUCA world: Covid-19

The new project - lack of experiences/knowledge

Local restrictions, governmental policies, responsible emissions of

CO2, taxes.

b) How would you assess them?

Hire experts in different areas to advise and structure timelines,

manuals and processes.

c) What could the consequences look like if they are not timely
addressed?

Fines and penalties failed audits.

Debt increase (interest rates)