"ENVISIONING A FUTURE AND REALIZING IT."

He concluded strategy formulation and implementation is all is about "envisioning a future and realizing it." Then Johnson said I will go for this one; it is short and better than the long confusing Henry Mintzberg's perspectives on strategy as a concept. The lecturer responded "okay that is your view but remember it is short but the "devil is in the details". So he continued and said try to envision a future for your organization but remember it is more than wishes as "if wishes were horses, beggars will ride". Afterall, all businesses mean well but only a few businesses actually achieve their wishes and the reasons are obvious. Aside envisioning you must realize the future; you must be walking the talk. Mayben & Associates Limited envisioned to be the largest school furniture selling company in the region but after 10 years it does not rank even 20^th among school furniture sellers. During this period MBA Limited has sold almost everything which will make profits. In the process it dealt in office furniture, school furniture, mattresses, baby's colt, electronic items and virtually everything. It said it was following an emergent strategy and chased almost every opportunity, spreading itself thin with limited capital and thereby losing big supply contracts because it could not meet the quantity requirements. It followed a middle of the road approach to everything and got nowhere

One of its competitors, Newlove Supplies, which was a faraway number 10 and much smaller than Mayben is today number one in the wholefurniture business. Newlove focused on its line of business. Newlove Supplies Limited sought and obtained partnerships from a Chinese supplier and also expanded its distribution network across the country and today it is the number one supplier of alreadymade furniture. It has now built a good capital base for the business. Large order and supply quantities allow Newlove to be a price leader. This has been a big challenge for Mayben and Associates and the other smaller suppliers. Bank financing leave Mayben with very little margins. Opportunism is the enemy of innovation, so the saying goes.Mayben is waning off and intends to rebuild its business. It is seeking professional advice.

a) What are the processes entailed in "envisioning a future and realizing it?"

b) What is Henry Mintzberg's perspectives on the concept of strategy?

c) Why is envisioning the future not enough?

d) Provide a 4-point advice for Mayben & Associates Limited?

e) Why is opportunism and enemy of innovation?

f) How has opportunism affected Mayben & Associates Limited?

g) What is an "emergent" strategy? When does it work best?

h) Is it correct that Mayben &Associates Limited is practicing an "emergent" strategy