Module 1 - Case
STRATEGIC REVIEW
Assignment Overview
The case assignments were designed before Amazon purchased Whole Foods Market. Now that WFM is owned by Amazon the data needed is no longer available or out of date. This makes doing the case somewhat difficult.
We are going to analyze a different company for the cases: JAKKS Pacific, Inc. This is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ under the symbol JAKK. The company is in the toy industry.
So when you are reading the case assignments, just substitute JAKKS Pacific, Inc. where ever you see Whole Foods Market. Here are some links to help you begin to get info and data on this company:
JAKKS Investors
If you do a web search on "JAKKS Pacific strategy" you will find several good articles.
Also use IBISWorld in the Trident Library. Search on "US Toy & Craft Supplies Wholesaling". This will provide you with industry data as well as info on the competition in this industry.
NOTE - the actual assignment activities do not change, just the company that you are analyzing in the case scenarios.
CASE 1 ASSIGNMENT REVIEW (SOME TIPS ON HOW TO COMPLETE CASE 1 SUCCESSFULLY)
What are the deliverables for this case assignment? Included should be a complete review of JAKKS Pacific's Mission, Vision, Values and Strategy. What do we mean by Strategy? This should focus on several different levels of strategy: Is there a Grand Strategy? Is there a business strategy, i.e. one of Porter's four generic strategies (which you should know) and then some details that are specific to this company - what are they actually doing that specifically is focused on making the strategy happen?
The most important part of the paper is answering this question: JAKKS Pacific and ABC Company want to know if we (meaning you) think they should make any strategic changes or continue with the status quo. Synthesize everything you have discussed, provide a final recommendation, and justify your reasoning.
different strategy, and be specific about that strategy (grand strategy, Porter's generic, and specific goals/actions). And the EXPLAIN and JUSTIFY your recommendation.
When you explain or justify that means discuss "why". And you should go at least three levels deep in your "why analysis". For example, if you say "I recommend that JAKKS stick with the status quo because it is working really well", then say why it is working really well. You could say, "because the current strategy fits well with the competitive landscape and JAKKS mission and SWOT", and then explain why again, "because the other competitors are using the XXX strategy and because the mission of JAKKS is yyy, and they are using their abc Strengths and taking advantage of opportunity xyz."
In other words, use the info and data you identified earlier in the paper to support your recommendation and justify it.
Case Assignment
First, you need to do a strategic analysis of Whole Foods Market. The executives want us to provide an independent, objective view of Whole Foods Market's current strategic position, including full information of Whole Foods Market's mission, vision and values. They want to identify its current set of strategic goals, and a critical assessment of the competition and the competitive environment (remote and operating environments). Also, they want to see the opportunities and threats Whole Foods is presently facing, and they need a general idea of the company's strengths and weaknesses.
Whole Foods Market and ABC Company want to know if we think they should make any strategic changes or continue with the status quo. Synthesize everything you have learned, provide a final recommendation, and justify your reasoning.
Keys to the Assignment:
1. Do diligent research on Whole Foods Market. I have included links to various websites above.
2. As an MBA, you must perform additional research to find information on competition and general trends for opportunities and threats. For the competitive analysis, identify a minimum of three of the top competitive companies and their best-selling services or products - and justify why each is a viable competitor.
3. Your report should be thorough, and follow closely the outline that I have given you. The final section is the most important one. Use excellent logic and sharp argumentation skills to make your case.
The report must be 5-7 pages minimum and no more than 10 pages.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated on the following seven points:
- Precision - Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
- Breadth - Is the full breadth of the subject, that is, the Keys to the Assignment, addressed?
- Depth - Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the background reading and other background resources as references?
- Critical thinking - Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?
- Clarity - Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of quotations?
- Organization - Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?
- Referencing (citations and references) - Does the paper include citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the background readings and assignment present and properly cited? Are all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via citation?