strategic sourcing and vendor management

1.Pick two tactics Mr. Blevins uses to drive supplier costs down at Apple. Explain how these tactics work and why they result in lower costs for Apple.

2.Summarize the benefits for Apple from Mr. Blevins' supplier management tactics.

3.Provide one example of when suppliers chose not to support Apple and Mr. Blevins' tactics. What was the impact on the supplier that resulted from this choice?

4.Do you think Apple and Mr. Blevins' supplier management approach would be as effective if the company was not as successful as it currently is? Why or why not?

5.If Mr. Blevins left Apple and you took his place, how would you feel about continuing his tactics? Why? Would you change anything? Why or why not?