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Co-Op Case Study

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Instructions: Read the “Excel Co-Op: Responding to Biofuels” case carefully and answer the following questions.  This assignment is an INDIVIDUAL assignment. You may not work in teams or discuss your answers – doing so will be considered cheating.  Please limit your answers to THREE, SINGLE-SPACED PAGES with 1-inch margins, an 11 or 12-point font, and a cover sheet on top. Shorter papers are acceptable, but make sure you have thoroughly answered the questions. Submissions that exceed the page limit will be penalized.  You are advised to use your notes, the readings, and lectures to compose your answers. 1. (35 points) External Analysis: Please assemble a Porter’s Five Forces analysis of the industry in which Excel operates. As they operate in multiple business lines, you will need to be concise and precise to cover all the relevant information. 2. (35 points) Internal Analysis: Analyze the internal resources and capabilities of Excel. Name two strengths and two weaknesses and support your arguments for why they are strengths and weaknesses. Do not worry about detailing how to overcome the weaknesses at this point. Make sure you are talking about INTERNAL resources! 3. (30 points) Going Forward: Study Excel’s mission and vision, their business lines, and the answers you have provided above to decide what Excel should do to remain competitive and adapt to their changing environment. a. Some hints: i. Pay attention to what the board wants the CEO (refer to the last section of the case, “Decisions”). Is the board’s desire that Excel invest in all four business lines realistic? ii. Also, Excel is NOT considering building an Ethanol plant, so do not get confused about their goals. iii. Be creative in answering this question; you will earn points as long as you support your answers with reasonable arguments. iv. Focus on the ideas of People, Processes, and Products – ask yourself “what is Excel’s competitive advantage?” v. Use the Assert, Support, Explain methodology.

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