For this assignment, read the case study," IBM Challenge: How to serve a Diverse Mix of Demanding Customers," on page 91 of your textbook. Once you have read and reviewed the case scenario, respond to the following questions with thorough explanations and well supported rationale;
1. Describe how IBM should develop a portfolio of relationship strategies to meet the needs of its diverse B2B customer groups. How might this be different than a company that services a B2B group?
2. With IBM, different customer groups are more costly to serve than others. How should such cost differences be reflected in the particular relationship strategies that IBM follows?
3. What strategies can IBM implement in order to increase the switching costs of customers in group B or Group C?
4. Since IBM is already enjoying profits from Group A, how might the company increase the profits that it derives from Group B and Group C? Are there any ethical implications? If you believe there are not any ethical implications, defend your position.