1. Identify at least 5 indicators of whether a company's present strategy is working well.
2. The ability to do a comprehensive financial analysis is a critical component of strategic management. Discuss the steps involved in conducting the following analyses: cross-sectional ratio analysis; cross-sectional common-sized statement analysis; longitudinal ratio analysis; and longitudinal common-sized statement analysis.
3. In conducting a SWOT analysis, is it enough to simply compile lists of the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats? Why or why not?
4. Explain the difference between a company competence, a core competence and a distinctive competence.
5. Why do a company's core competencies matter in crafting strategy?