Exam 9: Managing Strategically

Pepsico is divided into several product divisions, including Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Tropicana, Quaker, and Gatorade. Each division has its own strategy that defines the products it wants to offer and the customers it wants to target. The divisions are called __________.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Clubhouse Gourmet -A- (Scenario) Imagine that you are the president of Clubhouse Gourmet, a successful chain of fast-food restaurants with 60 locations across Canada. The success you have experienced in the last five years has you considering various options about what to do next with the business. Should you continue to expand the business at the current rate? Or perhaps open new and different restaurants? What should you do? -If you decided to purchase a chain of five home furnishing stores because it was a good investment, this would be considered which strategy?

Based on the BCG matrix, dogs are characterized by low growth and low market share.

Studies indicate that organizations that use strategic management have higher levels of performance.

discuss the concept of competitive advantage. Include discussion on quality and design thinking and their roles in sustaining competitive advantage. Give specific examples of companies and their respective competitive advantages to support your answer.

Which of the following is one of the drawbacks to strong organizational cultures that a manager should consider when completing the strategic management process?

An automobile manufacturer that decides to purchase a truck manufacturer and a recreational vehicles manufacturer is engaging in horizontal integration.

According to our textbook, effective customer service strategies involve giving the customer what they want, effective communication, and __________.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions Personal SWOT Analysis (Scenario) University students in their last year are focused on getting information about the situation in the job market on graduation. As a process of self-examination during her senior year of college, Casey decides to develop a SWOT analysis of her prospects relative to getting a job. -Casey majored in marketing and really enjoyed studying market research as a subject. Through research on the Internet and in the university library, she discovers that this industry appears to have significant positive external trends. She interprets this as a(n) ________.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Megabyte Centre (Scenario) Your old friend Ariel Eskenazi is the owner and general manager of Megabyte Centre, a computer reseller and systems integrator located in Panama City, Panama. Since leaving IBM Canada to start a business in his home country, Ariel has watched his company grow steadily, due in large part to the business partnerships he's established over the years with large foreign computer and software firms, such as Goldstar and Microsoft. These relationships have helped his company win considerable market share in Panama, as well as in other parts of Latin America. However, in recent years, there has been a huge influx of foreign capital into Panama. For example, several large Asian firms have established subsidiaries in Panama to launch their North American operations. Tourism is also on the rise, and dozens of new hotels have been built in the metropolitan area over the past three years. As a result, demand for Megabyte's products and services has increased dramatically, but so has the level and diversity of its competition. While Megabyte's customer base has remained fairly loyal, many longtime customers are beginning to demand price concessions and enhanced service levels in return for their continued business. Ariel has recently learned that several of his former suppliers and business partners are considering establishing their own local sales offices in Panama City to sell direct to market rather than distributing through Megabyte. Ariel knows you are very knowledgeable about competitive strategy and asks for your advice. You begin by telling him a little about Michael Porter's competitive strategies framework. -Ariel's customers' demands for lower prices and enhanced service relates to which of Michael Porter's five forces?

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. SWOT Analysis (Scenario) Terri has been asked to review her company's strategy in the cosmetics industry. Top management wants to ensure that they are aware of emerging trends and changes. Terri began reviewing a list of factors in her mind. Recently, there has been some negative publicity about cosmetics testing on animals; an industry practice that has become very controversial and increasingly unacceptable to consumers. The laboratory animals at Terri's company are well treated, but they are still used to test new products. On a positive note, industry-wide sales are up 10 percent. Women are buying more cosmetics in general, which is good news for the company. Another positive factor is their personnel. They have many good people working in the company, particularly in research and development where the expertise is exceptional. The only other negative factor noted by Terri was that last year's advertising campaign had not achieved the desired results. Something needed to be done in that department. Terri began to compile her report. -The fact that industry-wide sales are up by 10 percent because women are buying more cosmetics would be considered a(n) __________.

Helen, the owner of Crazy Cupcakes, is conducting a SWOT analysis of her company to find out where she can improve her business and to identify possibilities for expansion. Which of the following represents an opportunity for expansion?

When an organization attempts to grow by merging with or acquiring firms in different and unrelated industries, the strategy is known as a __________ strategy.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Clubhouse Gourmet -A- (Scenario) Imagine that you are the president of Clubhouse Gourmet, a successful chain of fast-food restaurants with 60 locations across Canada. The success you have experienced in the last five years has you considering various options about what to do next with the business. Should you continue to expand the business at the current rate? Or perhaps open new and different restaurants? What should you do? -If you decided to expand Clubhouse Gourmet by increasing its menu items and opening more restaurants across the country, you would be pursuing which type of growth strategy?

Once managers have completed their analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the organization, they can proceed to the next step of the strategic management process, which is to __________.

A renewal strategy is a corporate strategy designed to address organizational weaknesses that are leading to performance declines.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following questions. Clubhouse Gourmet -A- (Scenario) Imagine that you are the president of Clubhouse Gourmet, a successful chain of fast-food restaurants with 60 locations across Canada. The success you have experienced in the last five years has you considering various options about what to do next with the business. Should you continue to expand the business at the current rate? Or perhaps open new and different restaurants? What should you do? -Your oldest business, Clubhouse Gourmet, has not grown much in recent years. However, it is virtually debt-free and continues to generate large amounts of profits. According to the BCG matrix, Clubhouse Gourmet would be considered a(n) __________.

Computer peripherals provider Ascent plans to enter a new market in another country. Which of the following represents a threat for Ascent?

Bella Vista Clothing targets teenaged girls with a range of affordable ready-to-wear clothing. The company is opening two new outlets, as sales have been excellent. Which of the following represents a strength for the company?

WestJet Airlines is an example of a company that has used the low-cost leader strategy to compete in the Canadian airline industry.