CHAPTER 5 ASSIGNMENTS (Individual Work)

DUE Thursday March 5:
Read through Chapter 5 and answer the following questions?

1. What is a business level strategy? 2. What are the 3 generic business level strategies that organizations can use? 3. Define the following terms and give an example for each term:
Experience curve:
Competitive parity:
Overall cost leadership:
Differentiation strategy:
Focus strategy:

4. Read Strategy Spotlights 5.2; 5.3; and 5.4 in your textbooks and answer the following questions (Custom book and 5th edition have these spotlight, students with 4th edition should make copies):

For Ryanair—What is Ryanair’s business level strategy? List 3 ways Ryanair cuts cost.
For Netflix-- What is Netflix’s business level strategy? List 3 ways Netflix differentiates itself from the competitors
For Paccar-- What is Paccar’s business level strategy? What is its market focus? List 3 ways Paccar chooses to please this target market and explain why?

5. Please print the pages 2& 3 of this document and bring them to class on Thursday as well.

DUE Tuesday March 17:
Answer the following questions: 1. What are the pitfalls of being a cost leader? List and briefly explain each pitfall with a company example. 2. What are the pitfalls of being a differentiator? List and briefly explain each pitfall with a company example. 3. What are the pitfalls of a focus strategy? List and briefly explain each pitfall with a company example. 4. What are the pitfalls of being a combination strategist (cost leadership+ differentiation)? List and briefly explain each pitfall with a company example.
DUE Thursday March 19:
Please visit the following site for a Toyota article: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_12/b4171032583967.htm After reading the article please answer the following questions: 1. What do you think is Toyota’s business level strategy? 2. List the problem(s) Toyota has been experiencing lately? 3. What are the 3 major interrelated reasons that caused Toyota's problem(s)?
Please visit the following site for THE LATEST Toyota article: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/02/09/toyota-akio-toyoda-comeback/ After reading the article please answer the following questions: 1. Identify and list several strategies TOYOTA have used to solve its problems 2. Which ones do you think will ensure its future success (sustainable competitive advantage)?

Please visit the following site for a Providence Medical center article: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_03/b4163040943750.htm After reading the article please answer the following questions: 1. What do you think is Providence Medical Center's business level strategy? 2. How does it cut cost (give specific examples)? 3. How does it differentiate itself from its competitors (give specific examples)?

Sample Value-Chain Activities of a Cost Leader

Sample Value-Chain Activities of a Differentiator