Assignment 2: Strategic Options and Opportunities Due Week 5, Day 7 (Weight: 12%) The following are specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment: ? Analyze the various stages in the strategy development and planning processes. ? Assess external opportunities, threats, and internal organizational capabilities. ? Use technology and information resources to research issues in business strategy. ? Write clearly and communicate effectively about business strategy using proper writing mechanics and appropriate media. Research the current strategic options and opportunities for one of the following companies: Lowes, Honda, GEICO, McDonalds, Nike, FedEx, Amazon, Proctor & Gamble, or Disney. Write a 3-5 page paper in which you do the following: 1. Identify the company’s principal competitors and describe the kind of competition they currently present (traditional, potential, and oblique). 2. Generate at least three strategic options for the firm you have chosen. 3. With your strategic options defined, suggest at least three specific criteria to evaluate these options. Provide a rationale for each of the criteria. 4. Choose the best strategic option based on your evaluation criteria. (If your criteria require quantitative considerations, it is only necessary to make rough estimates. You do not need to make a detailed quantitative analysis.) Your assignment should adhere to these guidelines: ? Write in a logical, well-organized, conventional business style. Use Times New Roman font size 12 or similar, double-space, and leave ample white space per page. ? All references must follow JWMI style guide, and works must be cited appropriately. Check with your professor for any additional instructions on citations. ? On the first page or in a header, include the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. Reference pages are not included in the assignment page length. ? Faculty has discretion to penalize for assignments diverting from assignment guidelines. Check with your individual professor if you feel the assignment requires a much longer or shorter treatment than recommended.

Assignment 3: IKEA Revisited Due Week 7, Day 7 (Weight: 12%) The following are specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment: ? Understand critical success factors in achieving strategic objectives. ? Apply a variety of qualitative and quantitative business analysis techniques. ? Use technology and information resources to research issues in business strategy. ? Write clearly and communicate effectively about business strategy using proper writing mechanics and appropriate media. Write a 3-5 page paper in which you do the following: 1. Discuss the most likely IKEA core competency, how you would test whether this is truly a core competency, and the steps you would recommend that IKEA take if it isn’t. 2. Compose a 1-2 page memo to advise a company that is entering into a strategic alliance what it must do to increase the chances of success. Address at least three issues the company will likely face. Your assignment should adhere to these guidelines: ? Write in a logical, well-organized, conventional business style. Use Times New Roman font size 12 or similar, double-space, and leave ample white space per page. ? All references must follow JWMI style guide, and works must be cited appropriately. Check with your professor for any additional instructions on citations. ? On the first page or in a header, include the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. Reference pages are not included in the assignment page length. ? Faculty has discretion to penalize for assignments diverting from the assignment guidelines. Check with your individual professor if you feel the assignment requires a much longer or shorter treatment than recommended.

Assignment 4: Critical Priorities Due Week 9, Day 7 (Weight: 12%) The following are specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment: ? Understand critical success factors in achieving strategic objectives. ? Apply a variety of qualitative and quantitative business analysis techniques. ? Use technology and information resources to research issues in business strategy. ? Write clearly and communicate effectively about business strategy using proper writing mechanics and appropriate media. Select Wal-Mart, Google, eBay, or Nike and discuss the critical priorities associated with that organization growing by an M&A. Write a 5-7 page paper in which you do the following: 1. Summarize the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, and culture. 2. Determine environmental and internal necessities for a successful M&A, including potential candidates. 3. Prioritize the essential behaviors for success and justify your choice of prioritization. 4. Explain how you would assess the success of the M&A after 90 days, 1 year, and 5 years. Your assignment should adhere to these guidelines: ? Write in a logical, well-organized, conventional business style. Use Times New Roman font size 12 or similar, double-space, and leave ample white space per page. ? All references must follow JWMI style guide, and works must be cited appropriately. Check with your professor for any additional instructions on citations. ? On the first page or in a header, include the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. Reference pages are not included in the assignment page length. ? Faculty has discretion to penalize for assignments over or under the assignment guidelines. Check with your individual professor if you feel the assignment requires a much longer or shorter treatment than recommended.