Assignment:
1. Select one business which * does have a case study which appears in the back
of the David textbook*, but information in your case study *must be current (2013/2014)*.
2. The company should be a corporation which has common stock listings on either the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), or the NASDAQ Stock Exchange. You may choose any company
in which you have an interest.
3. Describe the company, its products and/or services, and the length of time it has been in operation (both in the USA and globally).
4. Identify the *current CEO*, and the existing vision, mission, and operating goals and strategies.
5. Identify the firm's competitors: Who are the companies (be specific), and what ranking does your company have in relation to its competition (1st, 2nd, etc.).
6. SWOT Analysis: Prepare a *detailed SWOT Analysis* of your chosen business: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (at least two areas of operation (one internal strategy / one external strategy) for *each of the four categories*.
7. Conclusion: For each SWOT category above, recommend what *strategic advice* you would provide to your chosen business to grow and improve operations. Focus upon areas such as: new product development, revenue (sales) growth, cost (expense) savings, opening new business locations (more stores), and expansion of online vs. brick-and-mortar marketing.
8. Forecast: How successful would predict your business to be in the future, and why? (Be specific on your reasons related to #7 above.
Writing the Case Study
• The case study should be between 7-10 pages long.
• Typewritten using Microsoft Word, Calibri 12-point size font, one-inch margins left & right, and double-spaced.
• Use Headings: (see Pages 3-14: Strategic Management - Cases, Netflix, Inc. -2011 as an example, at the back of the David textbook) using headings like:
Netflix Company Name, History, Strategy, Global Expansion, Marketing, Technology Competitors, Finances, Conclusion.
• Bibliography: Your paper should list at *least 4 reference sources (the textbook may be one of them)* at the end of the paper (use Chapter 11, pages 353-354 as an example)
• Written Case Study: David textbook, pages 362-363 (use for writing information)