Background
The Case in this course is an ongoing exercise, which means that we will be taking an intensive look at one company over the course of 5 modules. This session, we will be conducting a strategic analysis of the Kraft Foods Company. In order to be best prepared and perform well on the cases, it is highly recommended that you complete the background readings and the SLP before writing to the case.
For this case, you will be identifying the primary business strategy employed by the Kraft FoodsCompany. You will also be providing a critical analysis evaluating that strategy in the context of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats you identified in Modules 2 and 3.
Required Reading
Please refer to the required and optional readings on Strategic Choices, the theme of Module 4.
Assignment
1) Which of the four generic (Porter) strategies does the Kraft Foods Company follow, and how do you know?
2) Integrate the strategy you’ve identifed above with the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats you identified in modules 2 and 3. Doing so should give you some specific actions the company is taking relative to their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. These actions are referred to as “strategic choices.” Do the Kraft Foods Company’s strategic choices align with the firm’s generic strategy? If not, what are the points of disconnect? You need to think critically about this step, as no company achieves perfect alignment of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with its chosen strategy. It is your job to uncover the discrepancies and problems.
3) How can the Kraft Foods Company leverage its strengths and shore up its weaknesses by altering its strategic choices? How can the company take advantage of environmental opportunities and minimize environmental threats by altering its strategic choices? Be very specific!
4) Complete the paper by commenting on how your view of the Kraft Foods Company’s vision and mission has changed or has been reconfirmed by this process of strategic analysis. Would you make any suggestions to revise company’s mission or vision statements, or any of its goals/objectives?
5) Consider the Case as a formal business report that you are developing for the Board of Directors and CEO as the Kraft Foods Company’s consultant. This is a professional document.
Follow the format below:
? Executive summary: a synopsis of the main points, conclusions and recommendations made in the longer report. If you have never written an executive summary before, or would like a refresher, check this website: http://www.highendfinance.com/CommercialLoans/Docs/07-4%20ES%20Guidelines.doc
? Introduction: State the main purpose of the paper (thesis statement), what you hope to accomplish, and how you will go about doing it.
? Main Body: The “meat” of the paper. Emphasize analysis, not just description. Delineate separate topics or sections with headings.
? Conclusion: Summarize your paper in light of your thesis statement.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated on the following seven (7) points:
? Precision – Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
? Breadth – Is the full breadth of the subject, i.e., the Keys to the Assignment, addressed?
? Depth – Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the background readings and other background resources as references?
? Critical thinking – Is the subject thought about critically, i.e., 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?
Request writer: Oriented
