1) Many companies use their brand as a competitive advantage.

Discussion 1

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.

Discussion 2

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)   Explain the effects you believe the internets 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 companys strengths and weaknesses. Based on the strengths and weaknesses you discovered, determine what steps the company could take to positively impact the companys competitiveness.

a.    Explain your rationale.

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Discussion 3

“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

o  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.

o  Provide specific examples to support your response.

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

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

Discussion 4

“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.

o  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.

o  Provide specific examples to support your response.

Discussion 5

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.

Discussion 6

“International Opportunities” Please respond to One (1) of the following:

1)   Determine why, given the advantages of international diversification, some firms choose not to expand internationally. Provide specific examples to support your response. Use current readings and lecture material to support your response.

OR

2)   As firms attempt to internationalize, they may be tempted to locate their facilities where business regulation laws are lax. Discuss the advantages and potential risks of such an approach, using specific examples to support your response. Use current readings and lecture material to support your response.

Discussion 7

Read Case Study 4 “Finding the Best Buy” (page 57)

·      Corporate governance has become a hot issue in the U.S. over the past two decades. From your analysis of the case study, determine two possible corporate governance challenges that might be faced by Best Buy as a result of its rapid growth and why they could become corporate governance issues.

·      Make recommendations for how Best Buy can overcome these challenges. Provide specific examples to support your response.