Assignment:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Describe the strategic management process at Microsoft under CEO Steve Ballmer (2000-2014). How were strategic decisions made? What were the strengths and weaknesses of this approach? Explain in detail.
2. Although Microsoft invented some promising computing breakthroughs. and often before competitors. why did Microsoft fail to successfully commercialize them?
3. Why is it so difficult for CEOs of large and successful companies such as Microsoft to balance exploitation-applying current knowledge to enhance firm performance in the short term-with exploration-searching for new knowledge that may enhance a firm's future performance? What are the trade-offs? How could they be reconciled?
4. In contrast. what can you infer from information in the case about the current design of Microsoft's strategy process under Microsoft CEO Satva Nadella. who started in 2014?
5. What advice would you give Nadella in his current efforts?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Explain Apple's success over the past decade relative to its main competitors. Think about which industries it has disrupted and how.
2. Is Apple's success attributable to industry effects, firm effects, or a combination of both? Explain.
3. What are the greatest challenges Apple is facing? Detail them by internal weaknesses and external threats. How can Apple transform internal weaknesses into strengths. and external threats into opportunities?
4. Apply the three-step process for developing a good strategy outlined above (diagnose the competitive challenge. derive a guiding policy. and implement a set of coherent actions) to Apple's situation today. Which recommendations would you have for Apple to outperform its competitors in the future? Be specific.
Attachment:- How the Strategy Process Killed Innovation at Microsoft.rar