BUS 499

Week1to62019.docx

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Before starting this activity, review the Week 1 LEARN activity videos and read Chapter 1 in the course textbook. Doing this will give you the Why to include in your response to the following:

1. From the LEARN, determine which of the two primary drivers of the competitive landscape is more influential.

a. Explain your rationale.

2. From the PRACTICE activity, identify an organization that could benefit from the application of the I/O Model of Above-Average Returns (Figure 1.2 page 15 in the textbook).

a. Follow the five steps to justify your answer.

b. Do not use Apple or Walmart in this exercise, nor should the organization you select be the same as another post.

Be sure to respond to at least one (1) other student and/or myself - but do not agree with your classmates....find a way to challenge them or add something from the text book or LEARN activity to add to the discussion...just like you would do if you stood up in a traditional classroom to respond to a classmate.

EXAMPLE: Respond to Mr. Diggs

October 1, 2019 8:37:55 PM EDT 19 days ago

Michael Diggs

RE: Week 1 Discussion

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Good evening Dr. Keller in class, I like to jumpstart this weeks discussion by answering the second half of the questions using Amazon as a company that would greatly benefit from the I/O model. as Amazon continue to expand and really dominate the century it is important that they use this model in order to train their employees against culture good ethics and good business practices . Amazon is a multibillion dollar e-commerce company that services all 50 states as well as all US territories and even international countries. And they offer a wide variety of products and services and is currently trying to expand into the pharmaceutical industry . Because of the variety of products they offer and the manner in which they deliver it in some cases same day delivery it is important that they gear towards not only making money but providing exceptional customer service that will keep them out of court rooms . Amazon continues to keep a competitive edge over other e-commerce companies as it has contracts and joint ventures with other big-name brick and mortar companies to sell and promote their products .

Amazon may not be able to use all five strategies at the same time from the I/O model however so long as they keep these principles at the forefront it will continue to dominate the e-commerce industry as well as all of its future ventures .

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"Union Pacific Corporation" Please respond to the following:

Before starting this activity, review the Week 2 LEARN (e-Activity) and read Chapter 2 in the course textbook. Doing this will give you the Why to include in your response to the following:

Research Union Pacific Railroad (you are encouraged to use a myriad of reputable sources, including the company's website.) Perform an analysis of the social/demographic, technological, economic, environmental/geographic, and political/legal/governmental segments (as discussed in the textbook) to understand the general environment facing Union Pacific. Describe how Union Pacific will be affected by each of these external factors.

1. Perform an analysis of the social/demographic, technological, economic, environmental/geographic, and political/legal/governmental segments to understand the general environment facing Union Pacific.

2. Describe how Union Pacific will be affected by each of these external factors.

EXAMPLE: Respond to Ms. Fox

October 7, 2019 7:33:51 AM EDT 14 days ago

Sherwanda Fox

RE: Week 2 Discussion

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Union Pacific Corporation is a Pacific Railroad company founded in 1862 serving over 23 states across the western two thirds of the united states. The company employs over 40,000 employees and servers 10,000 customers with its 8,500 locomotives ( www.up.com ).

Economic

From 2007 – 2016 Union Pacific invested $34 billion in its network and operations to reinforce America’s transportation infrastructure( www.up.com ). The company’s product portfolio consists of agricultural products, chemicals, automotive parts, coal, industrial products and intermodal. Because the company’s customer base is so diverse economic set back in either of these arenas should not disrupt the viability and sustainability of the company.

Social

Union pacific is a social hub for customers, the company services many of the fastest growing population centers from the West and Gulf coast ports. Moreover, Union Pacific is the sole railway serving all six major Mexican gates (www.up.com). Covering such extensive territory means the company must be cognizant of social change in business, customs, and international protocol.

Technological

UNP depends on innovative technological break throughs like the CAD III (Computer Aided Dispatching system) to provided real time information concerning all the trains systems (Hitt 2011). Additionally, the fuel-efficient technology used in UNP rail systems has given the company a major advantage over its competitors has fuel prices progressively raise.

Geographic/ Environmental

According to 2010 Census data populations increased by 11.9 percent from 2000 to 2010 in the 23 states where UNP operates (Hitt 2011). Geographically these western states are less densely populated than their east coast counter parts, yet it would seem the increase in inhabitants in these epicenters can be attributed to the rail line.

Political/ Legal

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is an independent adjudicatory and economic-regulatory agency charged by Congress with resolving railroad rate and service disputes and reviewing proposed railroad mergers (www.stb.gov). One significant federal law upheld by the agency is the common carrier obligation. This law requires rail companies to accept all financial liabilities and establish a suitable route to ensure safety and security of living areas.

Governmental

The rail industry is immensely regulated both locally and federally. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is one such agency tasked with reducing emissions from locomotives amongst other things. As UPN switch to the more fuel efficient cleaner high-speed rail carts it becomes a natural marketing tool for the environmentally savvy customer (Hitt 2011).

https://www.up.com/aboutup/corporate_info/uprrover/index.htm

Hitt Michael A 2011 Strategic Management Concepts and Cases (pp383-394)

https://www.stb.gov/stb/about/overview.html

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"Strong Brands" Please respond to the following:

Before starting this activity, review the Week 3 LEARN (e-Activity) (there are several) and read Chapter 3 in the course text book. Doing this will give you the Why to include in your response to the following:

1) 1) Many companies use their brand as a competitive advantage. Given your knowledge about the global economy, identify three brands you believe have the strongest likelihood of remaining a source of advantage in the 21st century.

a. Explain why.

2) 2) Explain the effects you believe the internet’s capabilities will have on the brands you identified in the previous discussion and what the owner of the brand should do in light of them. 3) From the LEARN (e-Activity), analyze the internal environment of the company you researched to determine that company’s strengths and weaknesses. Based on the strengths and weaknesses you discovered, determine what steps the company could take to positively impact the company’s competitiveness.

a. Explain your rationale.

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EXAMPLE:

Respond to Selinda

October 14, 2019 5:07:13 AM EDT 7 days ago

Selinda Burnett

RE: Week 3 Discussion

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Several companies use their brand as a competitive advantage. Given your knowledge about the global economy, identify three brands you believe have the strongest likelihood of remaining a source of advantage in the 21st Century and explain why.

Apple: Apple offers a large assortment of computers and consumer electronics products, including smartphones, tablets, music players, and television adaptors. They offer brand strength, innovation, supply chain management, and premium pricing strategies, which are all factors that give them a competitive advantage. Apple offers sharing between different Apple products to encourage customer loyalty. Apple iPads are now making their entrance to the food and beverage industry, which, I believe this transition will also help Apple keep up if not pass any of their competitors.

Chick-fil-a: Chick-fil-a It offers a menu full of delicious meals. A part of their menu, they offer healthy alternatives for health-conscious customers. By keeping up with the change in customer’s needs and continuing to offer outstanding customer service, they are sure to last through the 21st century on top. People enjoy going to a fast-food restaurant and getting treated like they matter. It is not only food it is and experience.

Disney: Disney Is untouchable. There is no other company that can create the experience quite like Disney. Their driving force of the company is based on animated cartoons and motion pictures. The theme parks are just a bonus. For each new show or movie that is created by Walt Disney Pictures, they can create a new attraction or ride at the theme parks, making it always new and always changing. The fact that Disney’s primary goal is to make people happy should set a good example for other businesses.

Explain the affects you believe the Internet’s capabilities will have on the brands you identified in the previous discussion and what the owner of the brand should do in light of them.

I believe that the Internet will help the companies I have chosen. Apple will continue to grow, mainly because of iTunes. They offer their products online in many different languages with access from 126 Countries, thus, expanding their revenues. Chick-fil-a is now using the Internet for ordering catering online. You can choose from many menu items and chose if you want it delivered or picked up. By Chick-fil-a offering online orders, this will hopefully increase overall sales. Disney uses the Internet to sell tickets to their theme parks, hotels, and lodging, as well as games, videos, music, and movies. They have created an online experience for kids and a safe online choice for parents to feel comfortable. Each of these businesses should offer as many options online as they can, for people are more inclined to utilize the Internet for research and purchases than going into the store or restaurant. People are busy; the Internet allows them to be online 24 hours a day.

From the e-Activity, analyze the internal environment of the company you researched to determine that company’s strengths and weaknesses.

The company that I have researched is Abercrombie & Fitch. They are an American retailer that focuses on casual clothing and accessories for kids and young adults. Along with the brand Abercrombie & Fitch, they also operate Abercrombie Kids, Hollister Co., and Gilly Hicks. For over 100 years, they have been creating and offering All-American preppy clothes for the coolest people.

Strengths : They currently have over 1,100 store locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the United Kingdom. They also offer online shopping at each store with shipping to these five countries. This allows A&F to offer its products internationally as well as build a more extensive customer base. They have an excellent way to advertise their brand. By using beautiful people in great shape to model and advertise their product. They are capturing the image people wish they could look like. They have a good reputation and high-quality products.

Weaknesses : They are known to discriminate against their employees, resulting in multiple lawsuits. There is a stiff competition causing limited market share. They have a limited customer base.

Opportunities : They can expand into other countries. They could lower their costs to become more competitive. They can expand their product line to meet new fashion needs.

Threats : Competitors offer similar products at lower prices. Other companies are beginning to make fake products resembling Abercrombie’s products. Counterfeits are selling for less than half the price allowing customers to look the same on a budget. People do not want to pay high dollar for clothing and accessories in high school or college.

Based on the strengths and weaknesses you discovered, determine what steps the company could take to positively impact the company’s competitiveness. Explain your rationale.

Abercrombie and Fitch (AF) Could lower their prices to make it more affordable for customers and to stay in the competition with American Eagle and Aeropostale. I prefer to shop at Abercrombie, but American Eagle always has better prices. They only time I buy something at Abercrombie, it has to be on clearance. I understand that their products are of better quality, but it all comes down to cost. I rarely shop on Abercrombie.com because the shipping is just as expensive as the clothes. If AF offered discount shipping online. I feel more people be inclined to make purchases. They mention on their website how vital diversity is in their culture. If they could stick to their commitment, then perhaps customers would not stray away because of their unethical behavior.

Abercrombie SWOT. MBA Skool. Retrieved October 13,2019, from http://www.mbaskool.com/brandguide/lifestyle-and-retail/3186-abercrombie-and-fitch.html

WEEK4

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Before starting this activity, review the Week 4 LEARN (e-Activity) (there are several) and read Chapter 4 & 5 in the course text book. Doing this will give you the why to include in your response to the following:

"Business-Level Strategy" : In a single response, respond to the following:

1. From the first e-Activity, assess your satisfaction with the company you researched

. Make recommendations about how that company could modify its business-level strategy to both increase your overall level of satisfaction and to attract new customers.

. Provide specific examples to support your response.

· Analyze the five business-level strategies discussed in Chapter 4 to determine which strategy the company you researched most likely applies.

· Determine how your experience with that company might change if it switched to one of the other four strategies (your choice). Explain your rationale.

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EXAMPLE: Respond to Selinda

October 21, 2019 11:46:01 AM EDT 3 hours ago

Selinda Burnett

RE: Week 4 Discussion

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From the first e-Activity, assess your satisfaction with the company you researched

· Make recommendations about how that company could modify its business-level strategy to both increase your overall level of satisfaction and to attract new customers.

· Provide specific examples to support your response.

The company I have chosen to research is Disney. Disney is a multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate and is the world's second-largest media corporation in terms of revenue. As a Disney customer, I enjoy their Marvel and Star Wars franchises as well as their network stations ABC, ESPN and newly acquired 21st Century Fox and Hulu. Disney has done a lot of things well as far as the quality of their products and services however as an African American woman who is the mother to three little girls and also a wife it would be inspiring to see more people of color in a family setting featured in their programs. Disney is such a large conglomerate most likely does not subscribe to one business-level strategy however in the early years I would speculate that production studios lean towards a differentiation strategy model to maintain that Walt Disney production look and design. As a customer, I would like to see that the strategy model favors a more focused differentiation to emphasize more culturally diverse programming and movies.

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Week 5 Discussion

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Before starting this activity, review the Week 5 LEARN (e-Activity) (there are several) and read Chapter 6 in the course text book. Doing this will give you the why to include in your response to the following:

"Victory Motorcycles"

· From the LEARN e-Activity and the case study 29 (p. 419 in the textbook), evaluate the Corporate-Level Strategy of Victory Motorcycles to determine whether you believe the strategy is appropriate to offset forces in the industry.

. Provide specific examples to support your response.

· Make recommendations for improving this strategy as well as describing any challenges you foresee in executing those recommendations.

. Provide specific examples to support your response.

Week 6 Discussion

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Before starting this activity, review the Week 6 LEARN (e-Activity) (there are several) and read Chapter 7 in the course text book. Doing this will give you the why to include in your response to the following:

Review Case Study 8: Dr. Pepper Snapple Group 2011: Fighting to Prosper in Highly Competitive Market found on page 115 in the back of your textbook (the text is broken into 4 Parts - - check the index at the front and you will find there are 2 pages 115).

Please respond to the following:

The case study outlines six specific strategies that the firm has chosen to support its strategic direction.

1. Determine which strategy is most likely to benefit the firm.

a. Explain your rationale.

2. Briefly outline at least one other strategy the firm could take to support its strategic direction.

a. Illustrate why this new strategy would be successful.

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SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 2

In this assignment, you are to use the same corporation you selected and focused on for Assignment 1.

Using the corporation you chose from Assignment 1, examine the industry in which the entity operates. Use any or all of the following resources to conduct research on the company:

Company website

Public filings from the Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR database ( http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml )

Strayer University's online databases

Other miscellaneous sources. Note: the company’s annual report will often provide insights that other resources may not include.

Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:

Give your opinion on the corporation's greatest strengths and most significant weaknesses. Choose either a strategy OR tactic the corporation should select to take maximum advantage of its strengths, and the strategy OR tactic the corporation should select to fix its most significant weakness. Justify your choices.

Determine the company’s tangible and intangible resources, core capabilities, and core competencies.

Choose the two (2) segments of the general environment that would rank highest in their influence on the corporation you chose. Assess how these segments affect the corporation you chose and the industry in which it operates.

Choose two (2) forces of competition that you estimate are the most significant for the corporation you chose. Evaluate how well the company has addressed these) forces in the recent past, going back no further than five (5) fiscal years.

With the same two (2) forces in mind, predict what the company might do to improve its ability to address these forces in the near future.

Identify what you consider to be the greatest external threat to this corporation. Discuss how the corporation should address this threat. Justify your explanation.

Identify what you consider to be the greatest opportunity presented to the corporation, and discuss how the corporation should take advantage of this opportunity. Justify your explanation

Use at least three (3) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources .

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

This course requires use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) . The format is different than other Strayer University courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details.

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

· Identify how the six segments of the general environment affect an industry and its firms.

· Identify the five forces of competition.

· Analyze the external environment for opportunities and threats that impact the firm.

· Analyze the internal environment of a company for strengths and weaknesses that impact the firm’s competitiveness.

· Use technology and information resources to research issues in business administration.

· Write clearly and concisely about business administration using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric .

EXAMPLE: