GENERIC STRATEGIES

There are four basic or generic strategies that a company can pursue to compete in its industry in business strategy. The selection of the most appropriate strategy is a combination of analyzing the industry, its competitors, and the company's resources and capabilities.

The four generic strategies are: Broad Cost Leadership, Focused Cost Leadership, Broad Differentiation, and Focused Differentiation. If several companies have the same strategy in the industry, those firms' profitability could be lowered. The best approach is to have a strategy that is different than your competitors.

Companies are assigned as follows: Target (TGT)

Identify which of the four generic strategies your company has and explain why. What evidence is there that supports your conclusion? Identify what resources your company has to successfully pursue its generic strategy (tangible, intangible, and organizational capabilities).

Identify two major competitors and their generic strategies? Are they the same or different? Explain how and what evidence is there to support your position. Do the other companys strategies help or hurt the profitability of your selected company? Explain how and why.