Crafting a Strategy to Fit the Business
The Web site Amazon.com once aimed to be the world’s largest bookseller. Now the company offers a wide range of products and services to consumers, operating online retail storefronts for partners and developing and selling its own manufactured products (such as Kindle).
Can a company like Amazon.com have a strong business model but a weak strategy? Using the Internet, find Amazon’s most recent annual report and peruse its main sections.
Based on your analysis of the report, respond to the following:
• How has the company’s strategy changed from the original generic strategy that was applied?
• How would you describe the central elements of Amazon’s strategy?
• In your opinion, what elements are involved in implementing the following business strategies?
? A low-cost provider strategy
? Differentiation
? Diversification
? Market timing
Write your initial response in approximately 500 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
Amazon. (2012)..amazon.com/”>http://www.amazon.com
Grading Criteria
Initial response:
• Was insightful, original, accurate, and timely.
• Was substantive and demonstrated advanced understanding of concepts.
• Compiled/synthesized theories and concepts drawn from a variety of sources to support statements and conclusions.
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Discussion response and participation:
• Responded to a minimum of two peers in a timely manner.
• Offered points of view supported by research.
• Asked challenging questions that promoted the discussion.
• Drew relationships between one or more points in the discussion.
Writing:
• Wrote in a clear, concise, formal, and organized manner.
• Responses were error free.
• Information from sources, where applicable, was paraphrased appropriately and accurately cited.