Strategic Management (MGMT 490)

Case 2 - Google

Executive Summary

1. What is the strategic decision to be made? Short paragraph
   1. State and briefly describe
2. What are the current challenges? Statement with challenges listed as bullets
   1. State and briefly describe
3. Product of report One sentence

Background

1. Which theory of organizational adaptation do you think Google follows? Briefly explain. Short paragraph
2. How has Google been impacted by globalization? Innovation? Sustainability? Explain 3 separate short paragraphs, 1 paragraph for each

Current Financial Performance

1. For the period 04-09, calculate: (1) the current ratios; (2) net profit margin; and (3) return on equity (see below)
   • Looks best when presented as a table
   • No need to show actual calculations
2. Give a brief description of the purpose for each ratio. Bullet for each ratio

• Apply ratio values to the case

1. What do these ratios tell us about the overall current financial performance of Google? Short paragraph

Current ratio = Current assets Net profit = Net profit after taxes Current liabilities margin Net sales

Return on = Net profit after taxes

Equity. Shareholders' equity

Current Strategies

1. What is the corporate strategy (growth, stability, or retrenchment) for Google? Briefly explain. Short paragraph
2. What is the business strategy (cost or differentiation)? Support your response. Short paragraph

External Analysis

1. Opportunities
   1. Identify 5 opportunities list as bullets
      1. Briefly describe each opportunity
      2. How does each opportunity relate to the purpose of the case?

1. Threats list as bullets
   1. Identify 5 threats
      1. Briefly describe each threat
      2. How does each threat relate to the purpose of the case?
2. Prepare an EFAS table.

Internal Analysis

1. Strengths list as bullets
   1. Identify 5 strengths
      1. Briefly describe each strength
      2. How does each strength relate to the purpose of the case?
   2. Which strength(s) is (are) a core competency(ies)? Briefly explain
2. Weaknesses list as bullets
   1. Identify 5 weaknesses
      1. Briefly describe each weakness
      2. How does each opportunity relate to the purpose of the case?
3. Prepare and IFAS table

Strategy Formulation number the strategies

1. Prepare an SFAS table.
2. Based on factors in the SFAS table - prepare 3-5 alternative strategies for Google to pursue.
3. Each strategy should be numbered
   1. One sentence stating the strategic alterative (what it is)
   2. 1-2 sentences describing the alternative (how it would work) both a and b can be in the same paragraph
   3. At least 1 pro and 1 con for each as bullets
4. Number the strategies. Do NOT use terms like 'first strategy' or 'another strategy'

Recommendation

1. Which strategy(ies) do you recommend for Google? Why? Does your recommendation address any of the current challenges facing Google? How? Paragraph
2. What performance measure(s) do you suggest Google use to measure the success of the strategy you recommend? Bullets are fine

General

• Striving for a professional business proposal
• *****Do not include assignment instructions - you will be penalized****
• Leave a space between paragraphs
• Massive blocks of text will not be read or graded
• No typos