1. H&R Block Strategic Plan
Prepared For: Dorothy Lirio-Casa, Vallejo District Office Manager, H&R Block Vincent Largo, Walnut Creek District Office Manager, H&R Block
Dr. Bruce Hartman, Professor of Business, The California Maritime Academy
Prepared By:
Kortney Bolton, Tosca Bonardi,
Michael Schwab, and Tom Sweeney

2. World’s Largest Tax Preparation Business
Company Overview
World’s Largest Tax Preparation Business
Offer a Wide Range of Services
Tax Filing Services
Financial Advice
Investment and Mortgage
Business Consulting
Diverse Methods
In-Store
Online
Software
Portable Tax Service

3. Branch # 3499 Walnut Creek Main Office
Location
Branch # 3499 Walnut Creek Main Office
1280 Boulevard Way, Suite #103
Walnut Creek, Ca 94595

4. Recently Seen a Decline in Profit Margins
Need for Expansion
Recently Seen a Decline in Profit Margins
Need to Expand to New Markets to Stay Competitive

5. Primarily white, small Asian and Hispanic populations
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Environmental Analysis
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Upscale suburb
Primarily white, small Asian and Hispanic populations
Average age: 38.3
Employed: Professional and education industries
Income Level: 1/3 between $75,000- $149,999

6. Alternative High Schools
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Entry Point Selection
Acalanes High School District
Public High Schools
Acalanes High School
1200 Pleasant Hill Road
Lafayette, Ca 94549
Las Lomas High School
1460 South Main Street
Walnut Creek, Ca 94596
Campolindo High School
300 Moraga Road
Moraga, Ca 94556
Miramonte High School
750 Moraga Way
Orinda, Ca 94563
Alternative High Schools
Acalanes Center for Independent Study
Del Valle Campus
1963 Tice Valley Blvd.
Walnut Creek, Ca 94595
Del Oro High School

7. Competitors in the Walnut Creek Area:
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Competitive Analysis
Competitors in the Walnut Creek Area:
Strategic Business Solutions
Reed Business Solutions
The Accounting Experts
Abacus Business and Tax Service
Small Businesses
More services
Much more to offer clients
Personal Relationships
The #1 reason to work for H&R Block…

8. The Schoolhouse Program
H&R Block has been trying to implement a new service called the Schoolhouse Program.
This program would allow:
Students K-12 for FREE
Teachers and staff at schools for a flat $169 rate, and
Parents of students get 10% off
Their goal is to implement this program nationwide, depending on the success of the program.

9. Proposed Strategy
Combine the capabilities of the Laptop Program with the Community Outreach Program
Create a new service of preparing taxes to local high schools in the Walnut Creek area

10. Plan Goals
To create a program that will make the tax process easy and convenient for high school students and teachers.
To maintain professionalism while offering a friendly environment for those participating in the in-house services.
To build and retain long lasting customer relationships as well as business relationships with schools.
To fulfill the corporate objective of growing the people and growing the business.

11. Plan: Offer students free tax preparation services at their school
Student Plan
Plan: Offer students free tax preparation services at their school
Execution:
H&R Block presentation on taxes 
Provide handouts (Appendix A)
Representatives set up booths at the school
Students make appointments
2-3 times for a couple of hours each session

12. Plan: “Drop-off” stations Execution: Teacher Form (Appendix B)
Teacher Plan
Plan: “Drop-off” stations
Execution: 
Teacher Form (Appendix B)
Teachers drop off during student sessions
Preparer returns to have the teacher sign and answer or ask any last questions.

13. Financial cost does not rate as high as community outreach.
Take The Advantage
Costs
Employee Wages
Purchase Equipment
Transportation
Advertising/Marketing
Benefits
Grass-Root Marketing
Tax Education
Long-term Investment
Client Opportunity
Giving Back
Financial cost does not rate as high as community outreach.

14. 1 Year: 3-4 Years: Expansion Plans Expand to other schools
Stay within Walnut Creek Community
3-4 Years:
Expand into Walnut Creek District
Offer parent program

15. Conclusion
By combining the Community outreach and Laptop programs, it can create a business venture that will not only expand the business, but give back to the community as well.
Expanding operations to high school students and teachers is a smart decision for marketing, as well as for a long-term investment.

16. Conclusion
By implementing this program gradually, the company will focus first on getting the program known, then adding additional benefits to keep customers coming back.
The risk is low, and the possibility of profits and increased community awareness is great;

17. Questions?