Assignment 1: Comparing Two Similar Businesses

Amazon and Border Books are in the same industry and are very similar and comparable; however both companies have different history and core aspects of their business. Beginning with Amazon, Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994. The company was funded by two investors; Nick Hanauer (invested $40,000 in 1994) and Tom Alburg (invested $100,000 in 1995). Originally, the company was run out of Bezos garage in Washington. Once Amazon was introduced online, the website was not as enticing and graphic it was rather dull and plain (this caused the business to start on uncertain ground). However, once Tom Alburg joined the company, he invested a lot of money is updating the Amazon website. Shortly after, Amazon had customers from all over the world. In addition, after that milestone was met, Bezos decided to expand his business into more than just an online bookstore to promote returning customers. In turn Bezos opted to allow customers to rate and review books on Amazon. In 1997, Amazon went public in which in the same year the company broaden its market by add CD’S, and movies to be purchased and reviewed. Moreover, in 1998 the company added software, electronics, and video games to the roster. At the end of 1999, the company was extremely profitable; however in 2001 the company experienced a fiscal loss of 1.4 billion and lay off 1000 workers. Amazon utilized the analyzers strategy (a blend of the defending and prospective strategies, seeking moderate, steady growth and limited opportunities for fast growth). On the contrast Border books was found by Tom and Louis Border in 1971. It was started with one bookstore in Ann Arbor. In 1970’s Borders developed software to help manage inventory and sales (which gave Borders a competitive advantage over other companies in the industry). Shortly thereafter, Robert