1. According to Illustration Capsule 3.1, which companies comprise the strategic group of firms to which Anheuser-Bush belong? Why is the circle containing Anheuser-Bush and Inbev name larger than the Pabst's circles?
2. What are the Strategically Relevant Components of a Company's Macro-Environment?
3. What are the seven key questions which form the framework of thinking strategically about a company's industry and competitive environment?
4. Identify and briefly explain any five factors that lead to strong bargaining power on the part of suppliers.
5. Assume a firm is at a cost disadvantage with rivals because its internal costs are higher than rivals. Identify five strategic moves that it can make to restore cost parity. 6. In doing driving forces analysis, is it sufficient to simply identify the driving forces that are operating to alter industry and competitive conditions? Why or why not? If not, then explain what else is required for a complete driving forces assessment.
7. Briefly discuss the meaning and significance of each of the following terms:
a) SWOT analysis
b) Core competence
c) Distinctive competence
d) Company value chain
e) activity-based costing
f) Benchmarking
8. Prepare a brief analysis of the coffee industry using the information provided on the industry trade association websites. Of the list of macro-economic factors found, which do you think might be strategically relevant for this industry? On the basis of information provide on the trade association websites, draw a five forces diagram for this industry and briefly discuss the nature and strength of each of the five competitive forces. What factors are driving change in the industry?
9. using the financial ratios and the financial statement information for Avon Products calculate the following ratios for Avon for both 2009 and 2010:
a. Gross profit margin
b. Operating profit margin
c. Net profit margin.
d. Times interest earned coverage
e. Return on shareholders' equity
f. Return on assets
g. Debt-to-equity ratio
h. Days of inventory
10. How strong are the competitive forces confronting lulu lemon in the market for performance based yoga and fitness apparel? Do five-forces analysis to support your answer.