Question:

Case Study Analysis: Temple & Webster's External Environment, Core Competencies and Strategic Choices

First, using the internet and business related literature, research the company, Temple & Webster, an Australian $28 million online destination for homewares. You could begin your search with,

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/leadership/45525-how-brian-shanahan-created-temple-webster-a-28-million-online-destination-for-homewares.html

and

http://www.brw.com.au/p/entrepreneurs/temple_furniture_smarts_media_onlinline_VFqE8P1qQoAhMfJJqUhuuJ

Second, by way of a formal introduction to your formal academic essay (ie not a business report), provide a brief synopsis of the company and the strategic issues and challenges it faces.

Third, in the body of your essay undertake the following analyses:

1. Temple & Webster's general external environment. Focus on the most salient elements applicable to Temple & Webster (allocate your words according to the marking criteria).

2. An industry analysis for Temple & Webster. Remember to draw some conclusions or insights about T&W's external environment and hence its opportunities and threats. For example, what are the industry structure and dynamics? What are the industry trends and the implications of those trends?

3. An internal organisation analysis for Temple & Webster. Again draw insights about its resources, capabilities, core competencies and hence competitive strengths and weaknesses. Also consider the implications for T&W's vision, mission and values.

4. Identify, discuss and evaluate the business level strategies used by Temple & Webster to compete in the online homewares industry. Consider the risks and benefits associated with those strategies (eg against the forces of competition and why the company has been so successful to date).

Word limit: 2,000 Words.