MBA 661 R4: Global Economic Competitiveness
Report 3
Student Name: _____________________
Read Social Media War 2021: Snap vs. Facebook vs. TikTok and answer the questions:
⦁ Snapchat has always wanted to be different. Read the sections of “Snap-The Early Days”, “Separating Social from Media”, and “Scaling the Enterprise”, discuss how Snapchat pursued the differentiation strategy, and comment on whether Snapchat is truly different. (10 points)
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⦁ Read the sections of “The Competition” and “Snap and Facebook Go to war” and the relevant Exhibits of the case: comparing Snap vs. Facebook based on the case only, what are the advantages of Facebook? What are the advantages of Snap, if any? (20 points)
Note: your answers should consider the products & services offered, business model, market share, market reactions, political/legal risk, and market/financial numbers.
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⦁ Read the section of “The Competition” and the relevant Exhibits of the case: comparing Snap vs. TikTok based on the case only, what are the advantages of TikTok? What are the advantages of Snap, if any? (20 points)
Note: your answers should consider the products & services offered, business model, market share, market reactions, political/legal risk, and market/financial numbers.
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⦁ Now let’s conduct the industry structure analysis of the social media industry. Based on all the information you read from the case, analyze the threat of new entrants to the social media industry and how Snap can build and sustain its moat. (10 points)
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⦁ Now let’s continue with the industry structure analysis of the social media industry. Based on all the information you read from the case, analyze the bargaining power of suppliers to the industry: start by identifying suppliers to the industry and then analyze their bargaining power. (10 points)
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⦁ Now let’s continue with the industry structure analysis of the social media industry. Based on all the information you read from the case, analyze the bargaining power of customers of the industry: start by identifying customers of the industry and then analyze their bargaining power. (10 points)
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⦁ Based on the analysis of the social media industry. Is there room for three or more players in the social media industry? Is the industry likely to consolidate? Or is it a “winner-take-all” business? Please explain your answers. (10 points)
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⦁ Privacy and trust are the main challenges facing all social media and technology companies. Based on the case, discuss the specific challenges faced by the social media industry and how they could navigate the changing regulatory environment and market sentiments. What are the roles of government and chance in this industry? (10 points)
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⦁ Now let’s consider Snap’s future. The company has a few options: (1) target new users either in the new geographic markets or from older age brackets, (2) differentiate through AR, (3) focus on a WeChat model, (4) copy the competition, (5) focus on privacy and moderation. Use your own words to describe each option and its trade-offs in 3-5 sentences. What should Snap do? Explain your answers in detail. (30 points; your answers need to be at least single-spaced one-page long)
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⦁ After reading and discussing the Snap case, discuss 3 things you have learned about running companies that will benefit your managerial career or start-up journey in the future. (15 points)
Note: I am looking for genuine answers and discussions on what you have learned in terms of running businesses – this should not be just knowledge or facts learned.
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Read Facelift at Olay and answer the questions:
⦁ Read the sections of “Proctor and Gamble”, “Global Skincare in 2017”, “US Skincare”, and “Oil of Olay”. Conduct the industry structure analysis of the global skincare industry as of 2017: discuss the threat of new entrance, the threat of substitutes, and rivalry among existing competitors in the skincare industry. (20 points)
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⦁ Read the sections of “Proctor and Gamble”, “Global Skincare in 2017”, “US Skincare”, and “Oil of Olay”. Conduct the industry structure analysis of the global skincare industry as of 2017: discuss the bargaining power of customers, demand conditions, and the changing behavior of younger users of the skincare industry. (20 points)
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⦁ Read the sections of “Proctor and Gamble”, “Global Skincare in 2017”, “US Skincare”, and “Oil of Olay” and consider the four types of industry position: cost leadership, differentiation, cost focus, and differentiation focus. How has Olay positioned itself and has the positioning changed? What were Olay’s advantages and disadvantages? (20 points)
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⦁ In Lecture 4 we discussed companies’ global competition strategies: (1) international strategy, (2) multi-domestic strategy, (3) global strategy, and (4) trans-national strategy. Based on the case and your experience, which strategy has Olay used to compete in the global market? Has Olay achieved success and competitiveness in the global market? Please explain your answers. (10 points)
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⦁ Based on the case, summarize the reasons for Olay’s decline. (10 points)
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⦁ Based on the case, considering the Diamond, Industry Forces, Industry Positions, and Global Strategies, should Olay refocus on women 35+ or target younger consumers? Please explain your answers in detail. (15 points)
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⦁ Based on the case, considering the Diamond, Industry Forces, Industry Positions, and Global Strategies, should Olay expand its product portfolio or reduce the number of SKUs? Please explain your answers in detail. (15 points)
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⦁ Based on the case, considering the Diamond, Industry Forces, Industry Positions, and Global Strategies, besides targeting different age groups and reconsidering product portfolio, what other suggestions would you give to Olay to stay competitive in both the domestic US market and the global market? Please provide action plans and explain your answers in detail. (20 points)
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⦁ After reading and discussing the Olay case, discuss 3 things you have learned about running companies that will benefit your managerial career or start-up journey in the future. (15 points)
Hint: I am looking for genuine answers and discussions on what you have learned in terms of running businesses – this should not be just knowledge or facts learned.
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Consider all the cases you have discussed:
⦁ Based on the class discussion and the case analyses, discuss the top 3 factors that improve and sustain a company’s competitiveness in the domestic and global markets. Your answers need to connect to the cases of PayPal, Ford, Zoom, Snap, and Olay. (30 points)
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