COMPLETE USING GOOGLE CASE FROM STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT TEXTBOOK

Case 2 Google Assignment Instructions

Executive Summary (10 points)

What is the strategic decision to be made? Short paragraph

State and briefly describe

What makes this decision a strategic one? Short paragraph

State and briefly describe

What are the current challenges? Statement with challenges listed as bullets

State and briefly describe

Product of report One sentence

Background (15 points)

Which theory of organizational adaptation do you think Google follows? Briefly explain. Short paragraph

How has Google been impacted by globalization? Innovation? Sustainability? Explain 3 separate short paragraphs, 1 paragraph for each

Current Financial Performance (15 points)

For the period 04-09, calculate: (1) the current ratios; (2) net profit margin; and (3) return on equity (see below)

Looks best when presented as a table

No need to show actual calculations

Give a brief description of the purpose for each ratio. Bullet for each ratio

Apply ratio values to the case short paragraph

In summary, what do these ratios tell us about the overall current financial performance of Google? Short paragraph

Current ratio = Current assets Net profit = Net profit after taxes

Current liabilities margin Net sales

Return on = Net profit after taxes

Equity. Shareholders equity

Current Strategies (5 points)

What is the corporate strategy (growth, stability, or retrenchment) for Google? Briefly explain. Short paragraph

What is the business strategy (cost or differentiation)? Support your response. Short paragraph

External Analysis (15 points)

Opportunities Identify 5 opportunities list as bullets or numbers

Briefly describe each opportunity

How does each opportunity relate to the strategic decision to be made?

Keep each factor as a single unit, strategic decision to be made i.e., list the factor, describe, and how it relates to the strategic decision to be made

Threats list as bullets or numbersIdentify 5 threats

Briefly describe each threat

How does each threat relate to the strategic decision to be made ?

Prepare an EFAS table.

Internal Analysis (15 points)

Strengths list as bullets or numbersIdentify 5 strengths

Briefly describe each strength

How does each strength relate to the purpose of the strategic decision to be made?

Which strength(s) is (are) a core competency(ies)? Use the VRIO model to briefly explain

Table works well

Weaknesses list as bullets Identify 5 weaknesses

Briefly describe each weakness

How does each opportunity relate to the purpose of the strategic decision to be made?

Prepare an IFAS table

Strategy Formulation (10 points)

Prepare an SFAS table.

Based on factors in the SFAS table prepare 3-5 alternative strategies for Google to pursue.

Each strategy should be listed as bullets or numbers

One sentence stating the strategic alterative (what it is)

1-2 sentences describing the alternative (how it would work) both a and b can be in the same paragraph

At least 1 pro and 1 con for each as bullets

Number the strategies. Do NOT use terms like first strategy or another strategy

Recommendation (10 points)

Which strategy(ies) do you recommend for Google? Why? Short paragraph

Does your recommendation address any of the current challenges facing Google? How? Paragraph

What performance measure(s) do you suggest Google use to measure the success of the strategy you recommend? Briefly explain. Bullets are fine