A group of middle managers sat in a well-lit conference room overlooking the Chicago skyline. All six were impressed by the technology in the room, the furniture, and the refreshments. At 9 a.m., the meeting began, and team leader Jessica spoke first:

"We all know why we are here. Kevin, our CEO, has become convinced of the necessity of a product differentiation strategy. He thinks our conglomerate is too conventional. We go after markets in which we can compete successfully, and earn a decent profit in practically our divisions." Team member Rob asked "So what's wrong with being successful? What's wrong with turning in good profits quarter after quarter, and seeing our stock price rise year by year?"

With a determined expression, Jessica said, "What's wrong is that we are competing in traditional spaces where the competition is too intense. Kevin wants us to compete in market space that does not already exist. We should be creating a new demand, and then filling that demand. Kevin wants us to come up with some product or service differentiation, or unique, ideas that he will then consider."

"I get it," said Kim, "We should stay in the profitable markets our various divisions already serve. But at the same time, we should get into new markets that nobody is serving. How about making smartphones that will work during outer space travel? In a few years, we might have loads of private citizens taking trips into outer space."

"Great sense of humor Kim," responded Marvin, "but the demand might be too small."

Jessica then clicked open a PowerPoint slide listing the sixty-two products and services the company already provides. She told the group, "Kevin says we should forget about these markets already being served. We have to invade new markets, maybe even create a market.

"Whoever thought 15 years ago that people would go shopping on a hand-held device while sitting in their den? Whoever thought people would pay for a package delivery service that competed with a government-backed postal service? Whoever thought people would want to read make and receive phone calls while driving in their cars, riding a bike, or sitting in a ski lift?"

Cecilia commented, "You are saying that as the product differentiation strategy team, we have to identify a multimillion dollar market space that no other company is serving right now. The world already has millions of products and services being offered. How is our humble team going to identify a market of value that does not already exist?"

Jessica said, "I don't know how we are going to find our unique strategy. But I do know that Kevin wants our report in 30 days. We're going to meet for four consecutive full-day sessions on Thursdays to get the job done. We probably will be communicating with each other between the meetings also.

"Let's get to work right now."

How realistic is it for Kevin to delegate the task of finding a product differentiation strategy to a group of middle managers? Explain your reasoning.

QUESTION 7 In a saturated solution of a salt in water, the rate of crystallization > the rate of dissolution a. the rate of dissolution > the rate of crystallization b. seed crystal addition may cause massive crystallization addition of more water causes massive crystallization d. the rate of crystallization = the rate of dissolution eQuestion 37 2 pts What authority would the state of Arizona claim for passing a mandatory seat belt law requiring anyone in Arizona to put on his/her seat belt? O preemption clause police powers the nexus power O none of the above Question 38 2 pts A state law that covers all businesses cannot give in- state businesses an advantage over out-of-state businesses. True False1. Use Hess's Law with your experimental values ( Atnect and Attcatand ) to calculate Attca+ water, the enthalpy for the disolution of calgum in water. Atneut = - 4723.4 J Atcat acid = - 1435.9 J At cat water = ? 2. Evaluate the percent difference between this computed value and the experimental value you obtained forthe dissolution of calcium in water. Experimental value : Atca+ water = - 768. 02 J . / . difference = ? 3. Use Hess's Law to compute the enthalpy change of the reaction between calcium and water , using the Standard values of AH.Problem #8 (25 points) Western College has two service departments, Campus Safety and Technology Services that assist the Business School and the Law School. Budgeted costs of the Campus Safety and Technology Services are $900,000 and $1,900,000, respectively. Usage of the service departments' output during the year is anticipated to be: Provider of Service User of Services Campus Technology Safety Services Campus Safety 15% Technology Services Business School 25% 60% Law School 75% 25% Required: A. Use the direct method to allocate the costs of the Campus Safety and Technology Services to the Business School and the Law School.Which of the following examples accurately describes a difference in the types of business combinations? (Select the best answer.) a. A statutory merger can only be effected through an asset acquisition while a statutory consolidation can only be effected through a capital stock acquisition. b. A statutory merger can only be eected through a capital stock acquisition while a statutory consolidation can only be effected through an asset acquisition. c. A statutory merger requires the dissolution of the acquired company while a statutory consolidation requires dissolution of the companies involved in the combination following the transfer of assets or stock to a newly formed entity. d. A statutory consolidation requires dissolution of the acquired company while a statutory merger does not require dissolution. e. Both a statutory merger and a statutory consolidation can only be effected through an asset acquisition but only a statutory consolidation requires dissolution of the acquired company