GRAD Final 1

Answer ALL parts of the question.  If the discussion question has two main points and two sub-points.  Answer all parts logically, ensure they are well-organized, and make strong connections to course content.  
Week 1
Please respond to the following: 
· Identify an organization that could benefit from the application of the I/O Model of Above-Average Returns (Figure 1.2 on page 15 in the textbook). See attached
o Follow the five steps to justify your answer.
o Do not use Apple or Walmart in this exercise.
o Be sure to incorporate the relevant vocabulary or terms from the chapter and give us the “why”.
Week 2
Respond to the following:

Can any firm beat Amazon in the marketplace? If not,      why not? If so, how can they best do so? How formidable a competitor is      Google for Amazon? Please explain. Consider: 

What are Amazon’s major strengths?
Does it have any weaknesses? Please explain.
Is Jet.com a potential concern for Amazon? Why or why       not?

Given the importance of understanding the external      environment, why do some firms fail to do so? Provide examples of firms      that did not understand their external environment. 

What were the implications of the firm’s failure to       understand that environment?

Week 3
Please respond to the following:

Many companies use their brand as a competitive      advantage. Given your knowledge about the global economy, identify three brands you believe have the strongest likelihood of remaining a source of      advantage in the 21st century and explain why. Explain the effects you      believe the Internet’s capabilities will have on the brands you identified      in the previous discussion and what the owner of the brand should do in      light of them.