Show me the margin! Title in a 2005 brokerage report from Bear Stearns & Co. A play on words based on Tom Cruise’s “Show me the money!” line from the movie Jerry Maguire When an industry with a reputation for difficult economics meets a manager with a reputation for excellence. It is usually the industry that keeps it’s reputation intact. Warren Buffet – CEO of Berkshire Hatthaway

 1. Explain the power relationships in this supply chain and how they might predict the winners and losers in terms of ongoing profitability.

 1. Using the five forces model, determine whether the UK supermarket industry is attractive in general in 2003. 2. Should Carrefour seek to enter this industry by taking over Safeway? 3. Using a supply chain analysis, give evidence to show how the main groups of players are continuously wrestling for greater bargaining power. 4. How might the supermarket industry evolve after 2003?

 1. How does the case link with the theoretical models in the chapter? 2. How might the managers of McDonald have been able to predict the potential problems if they had applied the theory?

 1. Why do large parts of the technology industry appear to be turning into wastelands of low profit margins? 2. Why are some technology giants struggling and others succeeding? 3. What can the struggling giants do to position themselves effectively to anticipate and respond to future industry dynamics? 4. Is “strategic hell” inevitable for the high tech industry?

 1. What macro-shocks in the global environment or changes in attitude among key movers and shakers may have contributed to the de-maturation of the condom industry? 2. What strategies might companies producing condoms, or the industry as a whole, take to further advance this de-maturation? 3. Can you think of any other products of services that have defied maturity? Describe the circumstances that enable there de-maturation?

 1. Apply industry analysis to past, present and future heroin and cocaine distribution to support Mary’s conclusions.

 1. Why are barbershops being seen as “complementary” to the sports shoe and music industries? 2. Would this be the case in every market of only in the US markets described in this case? 3. What advantages would there be for certain record labels or shoe manufacturers to integrate barbershops into their “horizontal axis” or distribution chain?

 1. Looking at the frameworks above, discuss the challenges facing the Moroccan airline industry. 2. What actions should RAM take resulting from your conclusions?