Successful business leaders say that any business’s success depends on the matchup

(or compatibility) between its operations capabilities and its overall business strategy.

That is, major competitive weaknesses exist when operations capabilities are not consistent with or conflict with company strategy. In contrast, successful companies ensure that operations are designed to support overall strategy. Compare and contrast two companies that have chosen different strategies for attracting customers, as follows:

(a) Describe the differences in their strategies.

(b) Identify and describe key operations capabilities and characteristics for each company.

(c) Explain for each company how its operations characteristics either support its strategy, or how those characteristics do not support its overall strategy.