STEP 1 Do some research on three of the companies listed below and try to categorize their strategic moves. Most of these companies moves will fall pretty clearly into one of the four categories but not all. Plan to spend 30 minutes researching the companies recent moves and another 30 categorizing them into Block, Run, TeamUp or New Game. You may need to go back and do additional research if their strategy doesnt seem clear.

STEP 2 You have $8 million to invest in the three companies you research. You can invest in one, two or even all of three of them. Which ones would you invest in? How much of the $8,000,000 would you invest? You must hold the investment(s) for five years

JCPenney is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Most JCPenney stores are located in suburban shopping malls. The company has been an Internet retailer since 1998. It has streamlined its distribution while undergoing renovation improvements at store level. In June 2011, JCPenney announced that Ron Johnson who built Apples retail empire would become the company's new CEO. Under Johnson, JCPenney began a new pricing method, with "Every Day" prices on most days reflecting what used to be sale prices.

Marriott International, Inc is an American diversified hospitality company that manages and franchises a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Marriott International is the largest hotel company with more than 4,000 properties in over 80 countries and territories around the world. Its brands include Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard by Marriott, and TownePlace Suites.

Tesla Motors is an American company that designs, manufactures, and sells electric cars. Tesla Motors first gained widespread attention by producing the Tesla Roadster, the first fully electric sports car. The company's second vehicle is the Model S, a fully electric luxury sedan. Tesla also markets electric powertrain components, including lithium-ion battery packs to automakers including Daimler and Toyota. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has said that he envisions Tesla as an independent automaker aimed at eventually offering electric cars at prices affordable to the average consumer. A vehicle under $40,000 is not expected until at least 2017. Tesla employed 3,000 full-time employees in 2012; this number had grown to 6,000 employees.