20e CaseAsssignmentQuestionsALL

CASE 1 CASE ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
Mystic Monk Coffee
Assignment Questions
1. Has Father Daniel Mary established a future direction for the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming? What is his
vision for the monastery? What is his vision for Mystic Monk Coffee? What is the mission of the Carmelite
Monks of Wyoming?
2. Does it appear that Father Daniel Mary has set definite objectives and performance targets for achieving his
vision?
3. What is Father Priors strategy for achieving his vision? What competitive advantage might Mystic Monk
Coffees strategy produce?
4. Is Mystic Monk Coffees strategy a money-maker? What is MMCs business model? What is your assessment
of Mystic Monk Coffees customer value proposition? its profit formula? its resources that enable it to create
and deliver value to customers?
5. Does the strategy qualify as a winning strategy? Why or why not?
6. What recommendations would you make to Father Daniel Mary in terms of crafting and executing strategy
for the monasterys coffee operations? Are changed needed in its long-term direction? its objectives? its
strategy? its approach to strategy execution? Explain.
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Billcutterz.com: Business Model,

Strategy, and The Challenges of
Exponential Growth
1. Assess Barry Gross, the founder and President of Billcutterz.com? How has Gross performed as the President
of the company as it progressed from new venture into its current growth phase?
2. Regarding Billcutter.coms current operations, what are its strengths and weaknesses? What resources,
capabilities and core competencies greatly benefit the company? In what areas is the company potentially
weak or require managerial attention? What is your overall conclusion regarding Billcutterz.coms current
operations?
3. Conduct an analysis of Billcutterz.coms financial statements. Where is the company strong and/or growing?
Where is the company weak? What is your opinion regarding why the company may be weak in this area?
What is your overall assessment of the current financial condition of Billcutterz.com?
4. What is Billcutterz.coms stage in the new venture life cycle? Why? What, as a result, is the greatest challenge
for Billcutterz.com as a result? What potential steps will Billcutterz.com need to take in order to address this
challenge?
5. Briefly summarize the operational and strategic issues faced by Billcutterz.com, and consider the options
that Barry Gross has to address these issues. What are your recommendations regarding the course of action
that Billcutterz.com and Barry Gross should take to address these key strategic and operational issues?
Whole Foods Market in 2014:

Vision, Core Values, and Strategy
1. What are the chief elements of the strategy that Whole Foods Market is pursuing?
2. Is Whole Foods strategy well matched to market conditions in the food retailing industry (one of the criteria
for a winning strategy discussed in Chapter 1)?
3. Do you think John Mackey has a good strategic vision for Whole Foods? Why or why not? What do you like/
dislike about the companys mission to promote the vitality and well-being of all individuals by supplying
the highest quality, most wholesome foods available?
4. Do Whole Foods Markets core values as presented in case Exhibit 2 really matter? Are they real or just
cosmetic window dressing? What evidence can you cite to support your answer? Have Whole Foods core
values contributed to the companys success? Why or why not?
5. Based on the financial statement data in case Exhibit 1, how would you assess the companys financial
performance since 2009? Use the financial ratio information in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4 (pages 81-83) to assist
you in calculating a revealing set of` financial ratios and interpreting them.
6. Based on the store operations data in case Exhibits 3 and 4, how well is Whole Foods Market performing
from a strategic perspective? Does Whole Foods enjoy a competitive advantage over its 3 chief rivalsThe
Fresh Market, Trader Joes, and Sprouts Famers Market? Does the company have a winning strategy?
7. What recommendations would you make to John Mackey regarding the actions that Whole Foods
management needs to take to sustain the companys growth and financial performance?
Papa Johns International, Inc.
1. How strong are the competitive forces confronting Papa Johns in the pizza segment of the quick serve
restaurant industry? Do a five-forces analysis to support your answer.
2. What does your strategic group map of the pizza segment of the quick serve restaurant industry look like? Is
Papa John well positioned? Why or why not?
3. What do you see as the key success factors in the pizza segment of the quick serve restaurant industry?
4. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the overall attractiveness of Papa Johns situation?
5. What are the primary components of Papa Johns value chain?
6. What are the key elements of Papa Johns strategy?
7. Which one of the five generic competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 5 most closely approximates the
competitive approach that Papa Johns is employing?
8. Based on careful examination of the data in case Exhibit 1, how would you assess Papa Johns financial and
operating performance?
9. What 34 top priority issues does Papa Johns management need to address?
10. What recommendations would you make to Papa Johns management team? At a minimum, your
recommendations should cover what to do about each of the top priority issues identified in question 9.
Under Armours Strategy in 2014:

Potent Enough to Win Market Share
away from Nike and Adidas?
1. How strong are the competitive forces confronting Under Armour, Nike, and The adidas Group? Do a five-
forces analysis to support your answer.
2. Does Under Armour have any core competencies and, if so, what are they?
3. Does Under Armour have any resource strengths or competitive capabilities that qualify as a distinctive
competence?
4. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the overall attractiveness of Under Armours situation?
5. What are the key elements of Under Armours strategy?
competitive approach that Under Armour is employing?
7. What is impressive about Under Armours financial performance during the 2008-2013 period (as shown in
case Exhibit 1)?
8. How does Under Armours competitive strength compare against that of Nike and The adidas Group? Do
a weighted competitive strength assessment using the methodology presented in Table 4.4 in Chapter 4 to
support your answer. Based on your assessment and calculations, does Under Armour have a net competitive
advantage or disadvantage in competing against Nike and The adidas Group?
9. What 3-4 top priority issues do Kevin Plank and Under Armour management need to address?
10. What recommendations would you make to Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank? At a minimum, your
lululemon athletica, Inc., in 2014:

Can the Company Get Back on Track?
1. How strong are the competitive forces confronting lululemon in the market for performance-based yoga and
fitness apparel? Do a five-forces analysis to support your answer.
2. What does your strategic group map of the performance sports apparel industry look like? Is lululemon well
positioned? Why or why not?
3. What do you see as the key success factors in the market for performance-based yoga and fitness apparel?
4. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the overall attractiveness of lululemons situation?
5. What are the primary components of lululemons value chain?
6. What are the key elements of lululemons strategy? [If you have previously covered the Under Armour case,
which features of lululemons strategy stand out as being different from the strategy at Under Armour?]
competitive approach that lululemon is employing?
8. What do the data in case Exhibit 1 reveal about lululemons financial and operating performance?
9. What 34 top priority issues do CEO Laurent Potdevin and lululemon management need to address?
10. What recommendations would you make to lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin? At a minimum, your
Lagunitas Brewing Company, Inc.: 2013
1. Identify the key environmental changes in the beer industry. Which have most aided the growth in the US
craft beer market?
2. How attractive is the US beer market? Use Porters five forces to assess the market attractiveness. Does the
craft beer segment vary in terms of the five forces impact on industry attractiveness?
3. How would you characterize Magees competitive strategy for the Lagunitas brand?
4. What is your assessment of LBCs performance relative to its peers? What does a strategic group map of the
brewing industry reveal? Has LBC been successful?
5. What recommendations would you make concerning expansion and the construction of the new brewery?
How will Magee ensure consistency of the Lagunitas brand across multiple breweries?
6. What are the risks that Magee faces in expanding the brand away from a craft orientation toward playing
against the largest breweries on a national scale?
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in 2014
1. How strong are the competitive forces confronting Cooper Tire in the global automotive tire industry? Do a
five-forces analysis to support your answer.
2. What do you see as the key success factors in the global automotive tire industry?
3. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the overall attractiveness of Cooper Tires situation?
4. What are the primary components of Cooper Tires value chain?
5. What are the key elements of Cooper Tires strategy? Which one of the five generic competitive strategies
discussed in Chapter 5 most closely approximates the competitive approach that Cooper Tire is employing?
6. What do the data in case Exhibit 1 reveal about Cooper Tires financial and operating performance?
7. What 34 top priority issues do CEO Roy Armes and Cooper Tire management need to address?
8. What recommendations would you make to Cooper Tire CEO Roy Armes? At a minimum, your
9. [Optional question for adopters wishing to pair this case with materials in Chapter 6] How have Cooper
Tires business strategy choices strengthened or weakened its competitive position in the automotive tire
industry? That is, what are the benefits and drawbacks of the approaches taken to increasing Cooper Tires
global scope?
10. [Optional question for adopters wishing to pair this case with materials in Chapter 7] Is Cooper Tires
international strategy best characterized as a multi-domestic strategy, global strategy, or transnational
strategy? What are the pros and cons of each approach?
Panera Bread Company in 2014:

Can a Slowdown in the Companys
Growth Be Avoided?
1. What is Panera Breads strategy? Which of the five generic competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 5
most closely fit the competitive approach that Panera Bread is taking? What type of competitive advantage
is Panera Bread trying to achieve?
2. What does a SWOT analysis of Panera Bread reveal about the overall attractiveness of its situation? Does
the company have any core competencies or distinctive competencies?
3. What are the primary components of Panera Breads value chain?
4. What does the data in case Exhibit 1 reveal about Panera Breads financial performance? How well is
the company doing financially? Use the financial ratios in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4 as a guide in doing the
calculations needed to arrive at an analysis-based answer to your assessment of Paneras recent financial
performance. In addition to the ratios in Table 4.1, there are occasions when you will also need to calculate
compound average growth rates (CAGR) for certain financial measures. The formula for calculating CAGR
(in percentage terms) is as follows:
CAGR % = [ending value beginning value] 1/n 1 x 100

(where n = the number of year-to-year or period-to-period changes)
5. What does the data in case Exhibit 2 reveal about Panera Breads operating performance?
6. What does the data in case Exhibit 7 reveal about Panera Breads 3 business segments?
7. Based on the information in case Exhibit 3, which fast-casual and full-service restaurant chains appear to be
Paneras closest rivals?
8. What strategic issues and problems does Panera Bread management need to address?
9. What does Panera Bread need to do to strengthen its competitive position and business prospects vis--vis
other restaurant chain rivals?
10. Does it seem likely that Panera Bread can avoid a growth slowdown in 2014?
Chipotle Mexican Grill in 2014:

Will Its Strategy Become the Model for
Reinventing the Fast-Food Industry?
1. Does Chipotle Mexican Grill have any core competencies and, if so, what are they?
2. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the attractiveness of Chipotle Mexican Grills situation and future
prospects?
3. What are the primary and secondary components of Chipotles value chain?
4. What are the chief components of Chipotles strategy?
competitive approach that Chipotle Mexican Grill is employing?
6. What chief difference(s) do you see between Chipotles strategy and the strategy being employed at Moes
Southwest Grill?
7. What does an analysis of the data in case Exhibit 1 reveal about Chipotle Mexican Grills financial and
operating performance? Use the financial ratios in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4 as a guide in doing the calculations
needed to arrive at an analysis-based answer to your assessment of Chipotles recent financial performance.
In addition to the ratios in Table 4.1, there are occasions when you will also need to calculate compound
average growth rates (CAGR) for certain financial measures. The formula for calculating CAGR (in
percentage terms) is as follows:
CAGR % = [ending value beginning value] 1/n 1 x 100

(where n = the number of year-to-year or period-to-period changes)
8. How does Chipotle Mexican Grills competitive strength compare against that of Taco Bell, Qdoba Mexican
Grill, and Moes Southwest Grill? Do a weighted competitive strength assessment using the methodology
presented in Table 4.4 in Chapter 4 to support your answer. Based on your assessment and calculations,
does Chipotle have a net competitive advantage over some or all of these rivals? Which rivalChipotle
Mexican Grill or Moes Southwest Grill or Qdoba Mexican Grillseems to have the strongest set of
resource strengths and competitive capabilities and is most likely to achieve the best financial performance?
Does Chipotle have a good enough strategy and adequate resource strengths and competitive capabilities to
compete effectively against Taco Bell?
9. What action recommendations would you make to CMGs top executives to strengthen the companys
growth and profitability?
Sirius XM Satellie Radio Inc. in 2014:

On Track to Succeed After a
Near-Death Experience?
1. What is your assessment of the strength of competitive pressures that Sirius XM must contend with as
a provider of radio entertainment services (principally for vehicle owners)? Do a five-forces analysis to
support your answer. Which of the five competitive forces is strongest? Weakest?
2. How is the marketplace for providing in-vehicle radio entertainment changing? What are the underlying
drivers of change? Are these driving forces acting to make the business of a satellite radio provider such
as Sirius XM more or less attractive from the standpoint of competitive intensity and potential for good
profitability?
3. What does your strategic group map of the in-vehicle entertainment industry look like? Which strategic
groups do you think are in the best positions? Which are in the worst positions?
4. What key factors determine the success of companies competing to provide radio entertainment principally
for the owners of motor vehicles?
5. What does your SWOT analysis of Sirius XM reveal about the attractiveness of the companys overall
situation in 2014?
6. What are the key elements of Sirius XMs strategy? Which of the five generic competitive strategies
discussed in Chapter 5 is Sirius XM currently pursuing? Is Sirius XMs strategy working well? Based on
what evidence?
7. What is your evaluation of Sirius XMs financial performance during the 20102013 period (as shown in
case Exhibit 2)? Table 4.1 in Chapter 4 provides guidance on doing financial statement analysis; you should
become accustomed to using the financial ratios in Table 4.1 as guides for evaluating a companys financial
performance.
8. Is Sirius XMs decline in the number of subscribers from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2013
alarming (see case Exhibit 5)? Why or why not?
9. What recommendations would you make to the senior management of Sirius XM to improve the companys
competitive position and financial performance over the next five years?
Sony Music Entertainment and the

Evolution of the Music Industry
1. Describe the music industry and the trends leading up to the present competitive environment in the industry.
2. Describe the competitive environment in digital music as the industry moved into 2014.
3. What is Sony Music Entertainments business model and strategy? Assess the overall attractiveness of that
strategy.
4. Using the information provided in case Exhibits 3 and 4, what is your assessment of Sonys Corporations
financial condition in fiscal 2013? What would you report to Sonys Board about the companys financial
condition from information provided in the case?
5. What are the driving forces in the digital music industry?
6. Identify in descending priority order, the top priority issues that Sony Music Entertainments Board should
address.
7. What can you recommend to Sony Music Entertainments Board to address the priorities that you have
identified in question 6 above?
Vera Bradley in 2014: Will the Companys

Strategy Reverse its Downward Trend?
1. Does Vera Bradley have a well-defined strategy? How can the strategy be best characterized?
2. Does Vera Bradley have any core competencies? Distinctive competencies? If so, what are they?
3. How attractive is Vera Bradleys situation? What can a SWOT analysis reveal about the companys situation
4. Using the information in case Exhibits 1 and 2 and the financial ratios in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4, prepare an
analysis of Vera Bradleys financial situation.
5. How does Vera Bradley stack up against its three major competitors? From the data in the case (including
case Exhibits 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6), which of its four industry rivals is the strongest? Which firm appears best
poised for growth in the next 3 5 years?
6. How would you advise the management to improve the companys market standing, competitiveness, and
financial performance over the next 3 5 years? What steps should management take?
J. Crew in 2014: Will Its Turnaround

Strategy Improve Its Competitiveness?
1. How strong are the competitive forces confronting J. Crew in the market for specialty retail? Do a five-forces
analysis to support your answer.
2. What does your strategic group map of the specialty retail industry look like? Is J. Crew well positioned?
Why or why not?
3. What do you see as the key success factors in the market for specialty retailers?
4. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the overall attractiveness of J. Crews situation?
5. What are the primary components of J. Crews value chain?
6. What are the key elements of J. Crews strategy?
competitive approach that J. Crew is employing?
8. What do the data in case Exhibit 1 and 2 reveal about J. Crews financial and operating performance?
9. What 34 top priority issues do CEO Mickey Drexler and J. Crew management need to address?
10. What recommendations would you make to J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler? At a minimum, your
The United Methodist Church: Challenges

to its Ministerial Mission in 2014
1. Describe the trend in membership for the United Methodist church, and its implications for sustainability of
the Church.
2. Describe the trend in charitable giving to religious organizations.
3. What are the driving forces in religious organizations?
4. What is the financial condition of the United Methodist Church from data presented in the case?
5. What actions would you suggest to the General Assembly to help improve the United Methodist Churchs
situation and keep it a viable denomination?
Nucor Corporation in 2014: Combating

Low-Cost Foreign Imports and Depressed
Market Demand for Steel Products
1. What are the primary competitive forces impacting U.S. steel producers in general and the producers like
Nucor that make new steel products via recycling scrap steel in particular? Please do a five-forces analysis
to support your answer.
2. What driving forces do you see at work in this industry? Are they likely to impact the industrys competitive
structure favorably or unfavorably?
3. How attractive are the prospects for future profitability of U.S. steelmakers? Should Nucor consider
expanding in this type of industry environment? Why or why not?
4. What type of strategy has Nucor followed? Which of the five generic strategies discussed in Chapter 5 is
Nucor employing? Is there any reason to believe that Nucor has achieved a sustainable competitive advantage
over many of its steel industry rivals? If so, what type of competitive advantage does Nucor enjoy?
5. What are the specific policies and operating practices that Nucor has employed to implement and execute its
chosen strategy?
6. What specific factors account for why Nucor has been so successful over the past several decades? Do these
factors have more to do with great strategy, great strategy execution, or great leadership?
7. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about Nucors situation? Does Nucor have any core or distinctive
competencies?
8. What is your assessment of Nucors financial performance the past several years? How strong is the
companys financial condition?
9. What issues does Nucor management need to address?
10. What recommendations would you make to John Ferriola?
Tesla Motors Strategy to Revolutionize

the Global Automotive Industry
1. What are the key elements of Tesla Motors strategy?
competitive approach that Tesla is employing?
3. Are you impressed by the strategy Elon Musk has crafted for Tesla? Why or why not?
4. What is your assessment of Teslas financial performance as shown in case Exhibit 1? Use the financial ratio
information in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4 (pages 8183) to assist you in calculating a revealing set of financial
ratios and interpreting them.
5. What do we learn from the data in case Exhibit 2? Does the data provide additional valuable information?
Why or why not?
6. What grade would you give Elon Musk for his handling of the battery pack fires and battery-charging fire in
the residential garage of a Model S owner?
7. What are the issues/problems that Elon Musk and other members of Teslas top management team need to
address?
8. What, if any, changes/adjustments in Teslas strategy would you recommend that Elon Musk consider?
9. What is your outlook for Teslas future performance and its prospects for revolutionizing the global
automotive industrys use of gasoline-powered engines versus battery-powered engines?
Tata Motors in 2014: Its Multibrand

Approach to Competing in the
Global Automobile Industry
1. Describe the economic characteristics of the global motor vehicle industry.
2. What are the key success factors for a successful firm in the global motor vehicle industry?
3. What are Tata Motors internal strengths and weaknesses? Identify competencies and capabilities that the
companys major competitors are lacking. What market opportunities does the company have and what
threats can you identify that may negatively impact the companys future?
4. Would you describe Tata Motors international strategy as a global, transnational, or multidomestic strategy?
Explain your answer.
5. What are the driving forces in the global motor vehicle industry?
6. How strong are the competitive forces confronting automobile manufacturers? Do a five-forces analysis to
support your answer.
7. What is the financial condition of Tata Motors as indicated from case Exhibits 3 and 4? What is its ability to
meet short-term obligations? What advice can you offer Tatas management based on the information in the
financial statement?
8. What do you consider to be the most important problems and issues facing Tata Motors, based on your
analysis of the company and the global motor vehicle industry? Prioritize these problems and issues
beginning with the most important.
9. What actions would you suggest to Mr. Tata and his management team to help Tata Motors sustain or
improve its competitive position in the domestic market and global markets, and its longterm financial
performance?
Deere & Company in 2014
1. How strong are the competitive forces confronting Deere in the global market for agricultural and construction
equipment? Do a five-forces analysis and identify the key driving forces and key success factors to support
your answer.
2. How have Deeres business strategy choices strengthened or weakened its competitive position in the
agricultural and construction equipment industry? Discuss how the companys senior management has
chosen to increase the horizontal or vertical scope of the firm.
3. Has Deeres increase in scope also been a part of its international strategy? Is the international strategy best
characterized as a multi-domestic strategy, global strategy, or transnational strategy? Explain.
4. Is Deeres business strategy producing good financial results? Use the financial ratios in Table 4.1 in the text
as a guide.
5. How do Deeres financial results measure up to those of its direct rivalsCaterpillar, AGCO, and CNHin
the top tier of the agricultural and construction equipment industry?
6. What business strategy recommendations would you make to Deeres management? Should the company
consider divesting assets or acquiring new assets? Are there other potential strategic options that should be
under consideration? Please justify your recommendations by outlining the pros and cons of each.
Wal-Mart in Africa
1. How would you describe Wal-Marts international strategy leading up to its acquisition of Massmart in
Africa? What has Wal-Mart learned from its experiences in Germany, Japan, and South Korea? What grade
would you give Wal-Mart for its performance to date in diversification into international markets?
2. How should Wal-Mart resolve the tension between market pressures to localize its product offerings country
by country and competitive pressures to lower costs? Explain.
3. Is there anything that Wal-Mart has done or is now doing in its drive to enter Africa and other international
markets that could legitimately be considered as unethical by its stakeholders? Why or why not?
4. In what ways, if any, is Wal-Mart exercising corporate social responsibility? Are there any changes to its
CSR strategy that you would suggest? If some shareholders complained that Wal-Mart has been spending
too little or too much effort on corporate social responsibility, what would you tell them?
5. Is the current strategy for Wal-Mart producing good strategic and financial results? What are some key
indicators of performance?
6. Should Wal-Mart adapt its business model to be better suited to local conditions in Africa? In what ways?
What are the pros and cons?
7. How would you advise the company to proceed with implementing its entry into Africa? What options does
Wal-Mart have on the table, and what option should be chosen?
PepsiCos Diversification Strategy

in 2014
1. What is PepsiCos corporate strategy? Briefly identify the business strategies that PepsiCo is using in each
of its consumer business segments in 2014.
2. What is your assessment of the long-term attractiveness of the industries represented in PepsiCos business
portfolio?
3. What is your assessment of the competitive strength of PepsiCos different business units?
4. What does a 9-cell industry attractiveness/business strength matrix displaying PepsiCos business units look
like?
5. Does PepsiCos portfolio exhibit good strategic fit? What value-chain match-ups do you see? What
opportunities for skills transfer, cost sharing, or brand sharing do you see?
6. Does PepsiCos portfolio exhibit good resource fit? What are the cash flow characteristics of each of
PepsiCos four segments? Which businesses are the strongest contributors to PepsiCos free cash flows?
7. Based on the preceding analysis, what is your overall evaluation of PepsiCos business portfolio in 2014? Does
the portfolio provide the companys shareholders with an opportunity for above-average market returns?
8. What strategic actions should Indra Nooyi take to sustain the corporations impressive financial and market
performance? Should its free cash flows be used to fund additional share repurchase plans, pay higher
dividends, make acquisitions, expand internationally, or for other purposes? What other strategic actions
should be pursued by corporate level management?
The Walt Disney Company:

Its Diversification Strategy in 2014
1. What is Walt Disney Companys corporate strategy?
2. What is your assessment of the long-term attractiveness of the industries represented in Walt Disney
Companys business portfolio?
3. What is your assessment of the competitive strength of Walt Disney Companys different business units?
4. What does a 9cell industry attractiveness/business strength matrix displaying Walt Disney Companys
business units look like?
5. Does Walt Disneys portfolio exhibit good strategic fit? What value chain match-ups do you see? What
opportunities for skills transfer, cost sharing, or brand sharing do you see?
6. What is your assessment of Walt Disney Companys financial and operating performance in fiscal years
20102013? What is your assessment of the relative contribution of each business unit to the financial
strength of Disney based on the 2012 and 2013 fiscal year financial data?
7. What actions do you recommend that Walt Disney Companys management take to improve the company
and increase shareholder value? Your recommended actions must be supported with a convincing, analysis-
based argument.
Robin Hood
1. What problems does Robin Hood have? What issues need to be addressed?
2. Do Robin Hood and the Merrymen need a new mission? new objectives? a new strategy?
3. What strategic options does Robin Hood have? Is continuing with the present strategy an option or is the
present strategy obsolete?
4. Why not try to end the campaign by killing the Sheriff?
5. What are the pros and cons of accepting the offer of the barons to assist in securing King Richards release
from prison?
6. What action plan would you recommend to Robin?
7. How should Robin implement the recommended plan? What action steps will need to be taken to make the
recommended strategy work successfully?
Dilemma at Devils Den
1. What problems has Susan identified with the night shift operations of the Devils Den? How well does the
management team perform such strategy execution processes as competency building, shaping the culture,
instituting policies and procedures, establishing control systems, developing reward and discipline systems,
and exhibiting ethical leadership?
2. What is Susans dilemma? What seems to influence her perceptions and behavior? What seems to influence
the perceptions and behaviors of other Devils Den employees?
3. What should Susan do about her dilemma? Please be very specific about what actions you recommend.
Southwest Airlines in 2014:

Culture, Values, and Operating Practices
1. Is there anything that you find particularly impressive about Southwest Airlines?
2. What grade would you give Southwest management for the job it has done in crafting the companys
strategy? What is it that you like or dislike about the strategy? Does Southwest have a winning strategy?
3. What are the key policies, procedures, operating practices, and core values underlying Southwests efforts
to implement and execute its low-cost/no frills strategy?
4. What are the key elements of Southwests culture? Is Southwest a strong culture company? Why or why
not? What problems do you foresee that Gary Kelly has in sustaining the culture now that Herb Kelleher, the
companys spiritual leader, has departed?
5. What grade would you give Southwest management for the job it has done in implementing and executing
the companys strategy? Which of Southwests strategy execution approaches and operating practices do
you believe have been most crucial in accounting for the success that Southwest has enjoyed in executing its
strategy? Are there any policies, procedures, and operating approaches at Southwest that you disapprove of
or that are not working well?
6. What weaknesses or problems do you see at Southwest Airlines as of mid-2014?
7. Do you approve of the AirTran acquisition and the way that Southwest has gone about integrating AirTran
into its operations? Is the integration taking too long? Why go so slow?
8. What strategic issues and problems do Gary Kelly and Southwest executives need to address as they complete
the integration of AirTrans operations into Southwests operations and migrate AirTrans employees into
the Southwest organizational and ways of doing things?
9. What recommendations would to Gary Kelly and Southwest executives as the company heads towards the
end of 2014 and on into 2015?
Nordstrom: Focusing on Culture

of Service
1. How did Nordstrom build their organization for proficient strategy execution? How did the organizations
culture reflect in the Nordstrom Experience?
2. What does the data in Exhibit 2 reveal about the financial situation of Nordstrom?
3. Describe the customer experience at Nordstrom.
4. How did Nordstrom build the employee component of the organizations strategy-supportive resources and
capabilities for good execution of their customer service strategy? What was Nordstroms philosophy on the
right people?
5. Explain the challenges to Nordstroms concept of customer service in the digital era. What advice can you
offer Nordstoms management to help preserve and enhance the Nordstrom signature service level?
Employee Training & Development at

Ritz-Carlton Fostering an Exceptional
Customer Service Culture
1. Describe the culture of the Ritz-Carlton hotel organization. What are the key features of the culture?
2. Explain the Ritz-Carlton philosophy of selecting employees to build their capabilities for proficient strategy
execution. How did the Ritz-Carlton get the right kind of employees? What attributes were required to
work at the hotels?
3. Describe the first year experience for new employees at the Ritz-Carlton.
4. Evaluate the outcomes of the Ritz-Carltons Employee Training and Development initiatives.
5. Describe the Ritz-Carltons diversification strategy. Consider the lessons of Chapter 8. What type of
diversification strategy did the company use? Why was this strategy particularly appealing?
6. As the Ritz-Carlton focused on global expansion, what did the company believe was its competitive
advantage that would ensure success? How did the company approach globalization?
7. What recommendations can you make to the management of the Rita-Carlton as the company pursues its
global expansion?
Amazons Big Data Strategy
1. Evaluate the key strategy implementation efforts at Amazon. Has management allocated sufficient resources
to the strategy execution effort? Exercised strong leadership to propel strategy execution forward? Instituted
polices and procedures that facilitate good strategy execution? Explain.
2. What is the role of information and operating systems at Amazon? Do these enable company personnel
to carry out their strategic roles proficiently? To what extent are these systems providing Amazon with a
competitive advantage?
3. Is the current strategy for Amazon producing good strategic and financial results? What are some key
indicators of performance?
4. In what ways, if any, is the use of big data helping or hindering Amazon? Is the use of big data reflective of a
commitment to corporate social responsibility? Why or why not? Are there any changes to its CSR strategy
that you would suggest? What might be the long-term interests of shareholders and other stakeholders?
5. What business strategy recommendations would you make to Jeff Bezos, Amazons CEO? Should the
company redouble its efforts to broaden its horizontal or vertical scope using big data? Should the company
consider new strategic partnerships or new acquisitions? Are there other potential strategic options that he
needs to consider? Please justify your recommendations by outlining the pros and cons of each.
NCAA Athletics: Are Its Amateurism

and Financial Assistance Policies 2014
1. Which school of thought on ethical standards is relevant to the NCAA case? Why?
2. What were the drivers of the unethical strategies and behaviors in college sports?
3. Why was football the only sport being seriously considered for pay-for-play?
4. What were the sources of revenue for universities to fund athletic scholarships?
5. What was the cost to universities, and what was the value of pay, in the form of scholarships, that was being
provided to Division I and Division II athletes?
6. Can universities afford to pay football players (beyond the present scholarship amount) for their services as
athletes?
7. In your opinion, based on the case and on the materials in Chapter 9, are the amateurism and financial
assistance policies of the NCAA ethical?
TOMS Shoes: A Dedication

to Social Responsibility
1. In what ways does TOMS exercise its commitment to corporate social responsibility?
2. How does TOMS dedication to corporate social responsibility contribute to its competitive advantage?
3. What issues do you forsee coming from TOMS critics or what improvements do you suggest can be made
on TOMS business model?
Samsungs Environmental
Responsibility
1. Does it seem that Samsung has made a commitment to operating in a socially responsible manner? Based
on the five components of a socially responsible strategy depicted in Figure 9.2 in Chapter 9, is Samsung
Corporations Vision 2020 strategy socially responsible? How does it address the needs of all of its
stakeholders? Explain.
2. How does Samsung link rewards and incentives to strategically-important employee behaviors and the
companys targeted sustainability outcomes?
3. Evaluate the key environmental strategy implementation efforts at Samsung since the roll-out of its Eco-
Management Initiative 2013 in 2009. Has management allocated sufficient resources to the sustainability
effort? Exercised strong leadership? Instituted polices and procedures that facilitate good execution of
sustainability? Explain.
4. What grade would you give to Samsung for its efforts to become a socially responsible, environmentally
sustainable corporation?
5. What recommendations would you make to Samsung management to increase its triple bottom-line
performance? Provide a justification for these recommendations.

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CASE 1 CASE ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Mystic Monk Coffee

5. Does the strategy qualify as a winning strategy? Why or why not?

Billcutterz.com: Business Model,

Whole Foods Market in 2014:

Papa Johns International, Inc.

5. What are the primary components of Papa Johns value chain?

6. What are the key elements of Papa Johns strategy?

Under Armours Strategy in 2014:

5. What are the key elements of Under Armours strategy?

lululemon athletica, Inc., in 2014:

5. What are the primary components of lululemons value chain?

Lagunitas Brewing Company, Inc.: 2013

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in 2014

Panera Bread Company in 2014:

3. What are the primary components of Panera Breads value chain?

CAGR % = [ending value beginning value] 1/n 1 x 100

Chipotle Mexican Grill in 2014:

4. What are the chief components of Chipotles strategy?

CAGR % = [ending value beginning value] 1/n 1 x 100

Sirius XM Satellie Radio Inc. in 2014:

Sony Music Entertainment and the

5. What are the driving forces in the digital music industry?

Vera Bradley in 2014: Will the Companys

J. Crew in 2014: Will Its Turnaround

5. What are the primary components of J. Crews value chain?

6. What are the key elements of J. Crews strategy?

The United Methodist Church: Challenges

2. Describe the trend in charitable giving to religious organizations.

3. What are the driving forces in religious organizations?

Nucor Corporation in 2014: Combating

9. What issues does Nucor management need to address?

10. What recommendations would you make to John Ferriola?

Tesla Motors Strategy to Revolutionize

Tata Motors in 2014: Its Multibrand

Deere & Company in 2014

PepsiCos Diversification Strategy

The Walt Disney Company:

4. Why not try to end the campaign by killing the Sheriff?

6. What action plan would you recommend to Robin?

Dilemma at Devils Den

Southwest Airlines in 2014:

6. What weaknesses or problems do you see at Southwest Airlines as of mid-2014?

Nordstrom: Focusing on Culture

3. Describe the customer experience at Nordstrom.

Employee Training & Development at

Amazons Big Data Strategy

NCAA Athletics: Are Its Amateurism

TOMS Shoes: A Dedication

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