Edmunds.com - 2000
Case Questions
1. Market
A. Clearly and specifically define this business as it now exists and its market in one clear and specific sentence. This must be a complete definition (customer, product/service, level in chain, and geographic area at a minimum).
B. Provide full support as to why this is the best definition. Address each part of the definition separately.
2.
Porter’s Five Forces.
A. Fully analyze each of the five forces. Use a separate section for each of the forces. You must cover each point in the outline separately for each of the forces. Include a brief summary as to the significance of the force at the end of each force’s section. This must be a complete analysis.
B. Porter recommends three approaches for establishing a defendable position against the five competitive forces. Which of these three approaches should the company pursue? Select only one and support fully. Include a brief explanation of how the company would accomplish this approach (specific, not generic). Do not confuse these three approaches with the three competitive strategies.
3. Current Strategy
Analyze and discuss fully what overall strategy or set of strategies the company is currently pursuing. Be specific, not generic. You must support your position with facts.
4. Rumelt
Relate each of Rumelt's four criteria to your answer in #3. Answer the following questions for EACH criteria. You must be complete in your answers. Arrange your answer as: 1. Consistency, then A through D, 2, etc.
A. Does the strategy meet the criteria?
B. To what extent?
C. Does it fall short? How?
D. Could the strategy have been modified to better meet these criteria? How? Support.
5. Recommendation:
A. What one major strategy should they pursue now? You must be specific (not generic) and support fully. Support for your choice being the most appropriate choice is critical. Use the following outline to answer this question. You must address all detail items within 3 & 4 fully.
1. State your recommended strategy.
2. Explain your strategy.
3. Support why your strategy is appropriate.
4. Support why your strategy is the best strategy.
B. Clearly relate and justify your proposed strategy to each tool above.
1. Relate to Porter’s Five Forces recommendation in #2B.
2. Relate to each of the four factors in Rumelt in #4.
See FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions about this case.
- Q2 - 8/01/2005 -