Perform an analysis of Panera Bread Company in 2012. Conduct the industry and competitor analyses.
I. Industry Boundary (Identify the specific industry you are analyzing)
II. External environment Analysis
A. Identify and briefly describe three components of the macro-environment and each of their current impact on the industry
B. Evaluate the five forces of competition for the industry
C. Draw a strategic group map of the industry (can be hand drawn and labeled)
D. Prepare a weighted competitive strength assessment for the focal firm and at least two of its rivals. How does the focal firm stack up against rivals?
E. Based on your analyses in A-D above, is the industry attractive? What are its prospects for above-average profitability? Support your answer.
III. Internal organization analysis
A. Perform a core competence analysis of the firm (see chapter 4 PowerPoint Slides). Does the firm have any core competencies that give it a competitive advantage? Which ones?
B. Draw a value chain of the firm and describe the primary and support activities of the firm (be as specific to the firm as possible).
C. Identify the company's resource strengths and weaknesses and its external opportunities and threats (at least two of each):
1. What are the company's strengths and resource capabilities?
2. What are the company's weaknesses and resource deficiencies?
3. What are the company's market opportunities?
4. What are the company's external threats?
5. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the current situation of the firm?
D. Obtain Panera Bread Company's Income Statement and Balance sheet for 2008-2012 from MergentOnline.
IV. Strategy Analysis
A. Identify and briefly explain the firm's corporate-level strategy (ies)
B. Identify and briefly explain the firm's business-level strategy (ies)
C. Identify and briefly explain the strategy for each functional area covered in the case
V. Strategic IssueaAnalysis
A. Strategic Issue 1
1. State the strategic issue (make sure to use a question format). Discuss the issue making sure to give adequate support as to why you think this is a strategic issue.
2. Generate and evaluate at least two possible strategic alternative actions (see chapters 5 and 8 for alternative actions)
i. Identify strategic alternative 1-be sure to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the alternative relative to the strategic issue you have identified
ii. Identify strategic alternative 2-be sure to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the alternativerelative to the strategic issue you have identified
iii. Identify strategic alternative 3, etc.
3. Make a recommendation by selecting the best alternative action(s) from those above. Be sure to discuss how your selected alternative(s) will resolve the issue.
4. Implementation Issues - what kinds of implementation issues will the company have to address in order to put your recommendation(s) into action (e.g., obtain additional capital, hire new employees, layoff employees, change leadership, develop a new strategy, etc.).
B. Strategic Issue 2
1. State the strategic issue (make sure to use a question format). Discuss the issue making sure to give adequate support as to why you think this is a strategic issue.
2. Generate and evaluate at least two possible strategic alternative actions (see chapters 5 and 8 for alternative actions)
i. Identify strategic alternative 1-be sure to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the alternativerelative to the strategic issue you have identified
ii. Identify strategic alternative 2-be sure to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the alternativerelative to the strategic issue you have identified
iii. Identify strategic alternative 3, etc.
3. Make a recommendation by selecting the best alternative action(s) from those above. Be sure to discuss how your selected alternative(s) will resolve the issue.
4. Implementation Issues - what kinds of implementation issues will the company have to address in order to put your recommendation(s).