Strategic management (Coursework) - 825 Words

Strategic management (Coursework Sample) Content: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT: CASE FOR AMAZON.COMBy[Name][Course][Institution Affiliation][Date]Introduction The current business environment presents a number of challenges for firms, especially those in the IT industry such as Amazon.com. For this reason, such firms have been obligated to explore and adopt relevant strategies for gaining a competitive advantage over their competitors. One of the key tools of analysis that have been given weight is the application of value chain analysis. Ideally, this paper presents a unique approach to the analysis of Amazon.coms value chain and thereafter, suggests possible strategies for future improvement. Porters Value Chain Model In analyzing a firms competitive position, experts argue that, it is imperative to focus on a firms value chain as opposed to the firm as a whole. In his value chain model, Michael Porter asserts that an organizations value chain consist of those activities done by an organization, which adds up to the value delivered to its stakeholders (particularly shareholders and customers) (Sekhar 2009). Though unique for each industry, it is only through value chain that a firm can gain cost advantage or differentiation. For manufacturing firms, their value chain entails both primary and support activities. In this context, primary activities are those in which materials are purchased, processed and delivered to customers as final products. These include activities such as inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, sales and marketing, and after-sales services. Support activities, in this case, are those that support the execution of primary activities (Monczka 2009). They entail activities like procurement, technological development, human resource management and the firms infrastructure. The Value Chain Analysis for Amazon.comFor Amazon.com, the application of Porters value chain model is not a new concept in the firm. In order to strengthen the organizations competitive position over its two key industrial rivals (Ebay and Walmart), the Amazon.com has embarked only on primary and supportive activities, which create stakeholder value. From the firms initial business strategy, a number of value chain activities can be identified as sales and marketing, customer service, logistics, operations, procurement and human resource management. In using value chain to improve Amazon.coms competitiveness, the above value chain activities have been assigned different weights (attentions). Moreover, though executing the same value chain activities as it rivals, Amazon.com gains a competitive advantage by doing same things differently. For example unlike its traditional competitors, which perform their activities in physical stores, Amazon.com uses a virtual store. This enables the firm to offer anything that customers want. In its value chain, Amazon.com has laid more emphasis on two activities, which include customer service, and sales and marketing. By focusing on customer service, the firm has made a significant step towards being the worlds most customer-centric firm. For example, in 2000, research indicates that Amazon.com spent over $200 million to seven distribution centers (warehouses) with a 3 million-ft3 capacity from Nevada to Kentucky (OS Financial Trading System 2011). This has helped to increase customer awareness of its products, thus boosting its revenue and profitability. For example, during that year, the sales went up by 169%. A critical analysis of the companys value chain, further, indicates that the firm applied diversification as a strategic competitive strategy. Here, evidence reveals that Amazon.com offers a wide range of products (books, Telecommunication facilities, furniture, chicken products) to minimize the risks associated with a single product firm, such as product failure or market frustration (Amazon.com 2012). In addition, the firm has found it effective to open up new companies and collaborating with existing companie s. In the past two decades, the company has been paying less weight to value chain activities like inbound logistics, operations and filing. However, with more focus directed to operational efficiency in 2003, the three value chain activities have been incorporated into the companys new business strategy. Up to date, inbound logistics, operations and filing has helped to lower the firms product and shipping prices by reducing its cost of operations through operational efficiency. In addition to the above primary activities, recently, Amazon.com added a new activity to its value chain, business-to-business (B2B) marketing, by launching AmazonSupply. Through this site, its customers (both industrial and commercial) now benefit by making direct purchase online. Moreover, the customer are enjoying a wide range of products such as pneumatics, hydraulics, drill bits, hand dryers, cash registers and cutting tools that were not initially available (Dow Jones and Company Inc 2012). Also pro vided through AmazonSupply is free shipping on intelligible orders of $ 50 or more, dedicated customer-services, and corporate lines of credit. These activities increase the competitive edge of the company over its competitors (Dow Jones and Company Inc 2012). Amazon.com also attains a competitive advantage through its supportive activities like low price procurement and effective human resource management. Through its low price procurement activities, low cost of sales and low product prices has been realized by the firm and its customers respectively. This had made Amazon.com to be a preferred by most customers. Since its incorporation, Amazon.com has highly invested in its human resources with highly delegated decision-making capabi...

Six Month SAT Study Schedule

Hoping to get a head start on your SAT prep? You’re in luck! If you have six months before your test date, you can spread out your studying and avoid cramming at the last minute. The SAT won’t be all about taking a lot of practice tests to hone your performance; it’ll be about learning lots of fundamentals, from math to reading. With this in mind, we’ve devised a six month SAT study schedule that will help you not only become a better test taker, but transform you into someone who’s far more skilled at reading and math. After all, the test is designed to measure how much high school math you remember and how well you can handle a wealth of ideas packed into a 700-word passage. Let’s get started! If youre reading this post, chances are you have at least six months until youre taking the SATunless, oops, you procrastinated. Never fear! If you have less time before your test, check out one of these study schedules instead: Three Month schedule One Month schedule One Week schedule Table of Contents How this Study Schedule is Organized Materials and Resources The Six Month SAT Study Schedule Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 18 Week 19 Week 20 Week 21 Week 22 Week 23 Week 257305730 Math Math Review Magoosh Lessons Watch any four Geometry lessons Math Practice Magoosh Do 15 practice questions. Randomized practice is becoming increasingly important in this SAT study schedule, since you’ll be taking more practice tests and the order on tests is randomized. Week 15 Verbal Verbal Practice Complete questions from two Writing passages. Complete questions from two Reading passages. Week 16: Week off! Use the time to catch up on anything youve missed. Week 17 This week, review your notes and make sure you understand the answers to all the questions from practice exams you’ve taken. Reach out to our help team if you have questions. The help button is displayed on all pages in your course. No supplemental reading Week 18 Practice Test #3 from Official Guide The College Board Test #3 is in the Official Guide and also available online for free here and here. Follow the same format as Weeks 10 and 13. Assuming you have a better sense of the format, and therefore that the whole process won’t take as long, here are some Magoosh videos to watch: Statistics lessons Use however much time you have left to read articles. Week 19 Math Math Practice Magoosh Do 10 random practice questions from the no-calculator section. Week 20 Verbal Verbal Practice Choose â€Å"practice mode† and complete questions from one Writing passage. Choose â€Å"practice mode† and complete questions from one Reading passage. Supplemental Reading Read three articles. This is a light week. So go back and review any of the concepts that you still feel shaky on. If there was one week in which you weren’t able to cover everything, now is a good opportunity to go back and complete what you can. Week 21 Practice Test #4 from Official Guide The College Board Test #4 is in the Official Guide and also available online for free here and here. Follow the same format as previous weeks. Week 22 Math Math Review Magoosh Lessons Watch any four lessons you need to brush up on. Supplemental Reading Read three medium-length pieces or one long piece. Week 23 Mixed Practice from Practice Test #5 in the Official Guide The College Board Test #5 is in the Official Guide and also available online for free here and here. Follow the same format as previous weeks. Based on your weaknesses, choose a part to focus on. For instance, if you’ve struggled in reading, do the practice questions that relate to reading. If you’ve struggled with math, focus on the math questions. Read the explanations once you’ve thought through your wrong answers. Week 24 Practice Test #6 in the Official Guide The College Board Test #6 is in the Official Guide and also available online for free here and here. Follow the same format as previous weeks. Assuming you have a better sense of the format, and therefore that the whole process won’t take as long, you can use the remaining time to go back and review any of the concepts that you still feel shaky on. If there was one week in which you weren’t able to cover everything, now is a good opportunity to go back and complete what you can. You can also spend however much time you have left reading articles (two suggested). The day before your SAT No studying! If you made it all the way through this six month SAT study schedule, you should be well prepared. Eat well and go to sleep early. Test Day No studying! Eat a full breakfast before leaving home. Read our SAT Test Day Checklist. Remember to pack: Admissions ticket Separate photo ID Several #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils no pens!) Your calculator A drink and a healthy-but-sugary snack with some protein (dried fruit nuts, or crackers, cheese, juice, are great options) Water Layers No phones allowed!! Congratulations, you made it! Now its time for a well deserved breakbut dont forget to come back here when you get your scores, and let us know how all your hard work paid off! 🙂