1. Identify an industry (ie, automotive, beverage, technology, grocery, etc.).
2. Give an example of companies using each of the four generic business level strategies within your selected industry (cost leadership, differentiation, focused cost leadership, focused differentiation). One company per strategy.
3. Give an example of a best cost strategy company within your industry. This must be a different company than those used in #2. (Chapter 5, section 5 and 5.1, p. 161).
4. Identify a company within your industry considered to be stuck in the middle. This must be a different company than those used in #2 and #3. Is that company still in existence? Why or why not did that company survive?
5. Of your given examples (you should have 6 different companies), which of the discussed strategies (cost leadership, differentiation, focused cost leadership, focused differentiation, best cost strategy, or stuck in the middle) seem to be most effective for creating competitive advantage within your industry? Please limit your response to one or two strategies. Which strategies (cost leadership, differentiation, focused cost leadership, focused differentiation, best cost strategy, or stuck in the middle) seem to be least effective for creating competitive advantage within your industry? Please limit your response to one or two strategies. BE SPECIFIC as to why these strategies are effective or not effective in creating competitive advantage.
