Strategy Lecture #8
“Strategy” Greek word origin (~400 B.C.) Pertained to the art and science of directing military forces
Six Basic Strategies Stability Product Development Market Development Vertical Integration Merger Retreat
Stability No new products, markets, acquisitions For example: Retain current market share. For example: 11% of market; 110,000 unit sales
Product Development New products for an existing market. Same customers will buy continuing line of products. Products aimed at same customer base.
Product Development RCA TV, Video Recorders, Video Discs Cereals: Plain, sugared, frosted, colors, shapes, characters, etc.
Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs
Market Development New markets for existing products New uses for existing products New geographic markets for existing products
Market Development
Japanese sports car to the U.S. Tried to get car renamed, because the translated name was “Fairy Princess” Automaker agreed to market the car using the internal production number
Market Development 8 oz. Servings
U.S. per capita: 310 / year Russia per capita: / year China per capita: / year
Vertical Integration Firm incorporates pre- or post- operation enterprise into its business
Tire Manufacturer Example
Tire Manufacturer Rubber Tree Plantation Rubber Processing Plant Tire Manufacturer Retail Store Consumer
Tire Manufacturer If buys out Rubber Processing Plant, this is known as Backward Vertical Integration Rubber Tree Plantation Rubber Processing Plant Tire Manufacturer Retail Store Consumer
Tire Manufacturer If buys out Retail Store chain, this is known as Forward Vertical Integration Rubber Tree Plantation Rubber Processing Plant Tire Manufacturer Retail Store Consumer
Vertical Integration Eliminates Middleman Which results in more profit potential for the firm ALSO…
Vertical Integration Reduces uncertainty For example, what happens if your supplier dries up? Or, your retail outlet no longer chooses to carry your product?
Merger A type of diversification. Firm enters a related business area. Examples: Mattel buys Tyco, Hershey buys Peter Paul. Firm enters unrelated business area. Example: Ralston Purina buys the Blues
Merger
PepsiCo owns Pepsi Cola PepsiCo owns Frito Lay
PepsiCo
Retreat Firm gets out of businesses it once thought were good opportunities. Example: Ralston Purina
Ralston used to own: St. Louis Blues hockey team Tuna fishing operation Mushroom growing business
Retreat at Ralston Sold off these divisions Got back to basics