Business Policy Discussion Questions

*Please answer each question individually and accurately. Must cite any and all references in APA format. Label each solution with the corresponding question. Looking for quality work, copy and pasted answers will NOT be accepted. Minimum 2-3 paragraphs per question. Scholarly responses are expected.

Part A

1. Post your Course Project organization's mission statement here, if you can locate it. If not, post what you think it might be. How do you think its mission statement has focused the organization? How hard was it to find the mission statement? What value do you see the mission statement providing to the organization and how might it be made better, if at all?

2. Can you see why vision, mission, long and short term goals, and values should all be in alignment with business level strategy? Does it have any relation to creating and sustaining competitive advantage?

3. This week we will be studying business level strategy (in this thread) and corporate level strategy (second thread). What are the three generic strategies, according to Porter and as stated in Dess (2012)? What is the strategy of your chosen company?

Part B

4. Select a business that has made the transition from bricks to clicks. Why did you choose them and how have they done so far?

5. Consider the benefits and burdens of clicks and bricks--what compelled you to study online...what factors led to your particular selection of a school?

6. Let's compare and contrast the benefits and challenges of the typical internet (e-commerce) site vs. the company's brick and mortar establishment? Which would yield more profits? Would it be wise to cease doing business at the brick and mortar store?

7. Keep in mind the purpose of developing a strategy. Strategy should also align with the organizational structure. What is your company's business level strategy? Does it easily fit into one of the three generic level strategies, i.e., focus, cost leadership, and differentiation or a combination thereof? Give examples of other companies which might fit the definition.