1. PIMS study was successful in identifying the factors that affect profitability and changes in profitability. How would you use this study to investigate the strategic performance of the UAE industrial companies? 2. An Abu Dhabi-based national commercial bank company is considering a wide-scope study of the factors that affect its competitive environment. In light of Porter's forces of competition model, how would you apply it to the given commercial bank? 3. A national company approaches you to help its management in building the company's vision. How would you go about that? 4. Best Buy is the largest consumer electronics retailer in the United States, with 2015 sales of nearly $50 billion. The company competes aggressively on price with such rivals as Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Walmart, and Target, but it is also known by consumers for its first-rate customer service. Best Buy customers have commented that the retailer's sales staff is exceptionally knowledgeable about the company's products and can direct them to the exact location of difficult-to- find items. Best Buy customers also appreciate that demonstration models of PC monitors, MP3 players, phone mobiles and other electronics are fully powered and ready for in-store use. Best Buy's Geek Squad tech support and installation services are additional customer service features that are valued by many customers. How would you characterize Best Buy's competitive strategy? Should it be classified as a low-cost provider strategy? A differentiation strategy? A best-cost strategy? Explain your answer. 5. Stihl is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of chain saws, with annual sales exceeding $2 billion. With innovations dating to its 1929 invention of the gasoline-powered chain saw, the company holds over 1,000 patents related to chain saws and outdoor power tools. The company's chain saws, leaf blowers, and hedge trimmers sell at price points well above competing brands and are sold only by its network of over 8,000 independent dealers. The company boasts in its advertisements that its products are rated number one by consumer magazines and are not sold at Lowe's or Home Depot. How does Stihl's choice of distribution channels and advertisements contribute to its differentiation strategy? 6. Using the advanced search engine function at www.google.com, one can locate three companies that indicate they are employing a best-cost producer strategy: Dell computers, Etihad Airways, and Costless Electronics. What is common among these companies, how are they different than other companies in their industries, When Does a Best-Cost Provider Strategy Work Best? and what is the risk of being a best cost strategy firm? 7. If you go to BMW's Web site (www.bmw.com) , it will provide you with an overview of the company's key functional areas, including RD and production activities. Exploring each of the links on the Research Development page – People Networks, Innovation Technology, and Mobility Traffic, you will be in better situation to understand the company's approach. Reviewing the statements under Production, you will be able to understand how BMW is focusing on vehicle production and sustainable production. How do these activities contribute to BMW's differentiation strategy and the unique position in the auto industry that BMW has achieved? 8. The Company link provides the following: "The BMW Group is the only manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles worldwide that concentrates entirely on premium standards and outstanding quality for all its brands and across all relevant segments." 9. The RD page claims, "Employees in the BMW Group's Research Development use the most advanced methods and technologies to systematically transform ideas into innovations for vehicles and traffic systems." Would you consider this to be consistent with the company's differentiation strategy? How is this? 10. Which of the five generic competitive strategies do you think the following companies are employing (justify your answer): a. Spinney's Super Markets b. Co-op Super Markets c. Amazon.com d. Ace Hardware Co. e. Paris Gallery Cosmetics f. Gulf news g. Abu Dhabi National Bank h. Indian Schools 11. The exercise equipment industry is characterized by a great number of firms each of which does not control any significant market share or dominate the entire market. Exertris follows a Focus Strategy in hope to achieve reasonable profitability. Instead, small firms can exploit the many market niches that exist. Discuss. 12. You have been selected to help XYZ University administration in setting its strategic plan for 2016-2021. Write a summary report to highlight the steps to follow in developing such a plan and the plan's main sections. Please be specific as much as you can.