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GPS 401 · Unit 6 of 6

Global Portfolio Strategy and Execution

Global Strategy and Multinational Management

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Unit overview

This unit develops global portfolio strategy, sequencing, and execution discipline using Solara Foods as the anchor. You will apply BCG global portfolio, divestiture readiness, capital sequencing, execution drumbeat to a live decision: Five-year global portfolio moves with quarterly execution gates

Learning objectives

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

  • Explain core vocabulary for global portfolio strategy, sequencing, and execution discipline in plain language with Solara Foods examples
  • Apply BCG global portfolio to structure options, assumptions, and tradeoffs
  • Build reconciled evidence tables with leading indicators and guardrail metrics
  • Produce a decision memo with kill criteria and stakeholder dissent

Solara scenario

CFO Lina Morales demands a portfolio review after FX losses and underperforming Central Europe lines. Solara weighs exiting two Central Europe legacy sauce lines to fund Africa dairy alternative push

Lessons in this unit

  1. Foundations and framing
  2. Concepts, mechanics, and operating rhythm
  3. Frameworks, evidence, and tradeoffs
  4. Applied decisions, case analysis, and executive synthesis

Assessment

Complete the unit knowledge check and applied exercise after Lesson 4. The exercise asks for a two-page memo on Five-year global portfolio moves with quarterly execution gates with reconciliation checks and kill criteria.

Unit assessment

Complete each section below. Score 80%+ on the quiz to finish this unit's assessment.

50% applied project30% case work20% knowledge checks

Exercises

Apply what you learned in this unit with structured practice.

ExerciseApplied practice: Global Portfolio Strategy and Execution45 min
Complete a focused practice exercise on **Global Portfolio Strategy and Execution**. 1. Choose a real company, product, or situation you know. 2. Apply one core framework from this unit to analyze it. 3. Write your analysis in 300–500 words with a clear recommendation. 4. Cite at least one credible source.

Deliverable

300–500 word analysis document saved to your portfolio under GPS 401.

Rubric

  • • Framework applied correctly (not just named)
  • • Specific evidence from a real example
  • • Clear recommendation with tradeoffs acknowledged
  • • Professional writing with source citation
ExerciseDrill: Global Portfolio Strategy and Execution30 min
Work through the practice problems in the unit lesson without looking at notes. Then check your work against the lesson and write a short reflection: - What you got right - One mistake you caught - One concept to review before the next unit

Deliverable

Problem solutions + 150-word reflection in your GPS 401 workbook.

Rubric

  • • Attempted all practice items before checking answers
  • • Honest reflection on errors
  • • Identifies a specific review action

Case analysis

Analyze a case using frameworks from this unit.

CaseCase analysis: Global Portfolio Strategy and Execution60 min
Analyze a real business case through the lens of **Global Portfolio Strategy and Execution**. Choose a public company event, HBR-style case, or documented decision. **Deliverable structure:** 1. Situation summary (150 words) 2. Analysis using this unit's frameworks (400 words) 3. Recommendation (150 words) 4. Risks and what would change your mind

Deliverable

2-page case write-up in your portfolio.

Rubric

  • • Case facts are accurate and sourced
  • • Analysis uses unit frameworks explicitly
  • • Recommendation is justified with tradeoffs
  • • Risks are specific, not generic

Knowledge quiz

Check your understanding before marking the unit complete.

1. Solara Foods faces: CFO Lina Morales demands a portfolio review after FX losses and underperforming Central Europe lines. Which framing best matches executive decision practice?

2. Which evidence label is correctly applied for Solara Foods?

3. Omar Haddad asks which framework fits Solara weighs exiting two Central Europe legacy sauce lines to fund Africa dairy alternative push. Best answer?

4. Finance challenges a $65M-scale recommendation in GPS 401. What passes scrutiny?

5. Which kill criterion is strongest for global portfolio strategy, sequencing, and execution discipline?

6. Stakeholder dissent is healthiest when:

7. Best one-sentence decision ask for this unit?

8. Solara Foods operates in 42 markets. What mistake should you avoid?

Final unit complete.