The success of a business or a product relies on many key elements. One of the key elements is its competitive advantages over the competitors. One can easily come up with examples of businesses or products that are competing with each other. Just to name a few:

• Ipad pro vs. Surface pro

• I phone vs Samsung Galaxy

• Instagram vs. Snapchat

• Tesla vs. GM

• Boeing vs. Airbus

• Traditional vs non-traditional retailers (e.g. Walmart Vs Amazon)

• Retail firms (e.g. Walmart vs Target)

• Consumer good companies (e.g. P&G, Kimberly Clark, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever) Traditional airline (such as United, American) vs. Budget airline (such as Spirit, JetBlue) Traditional financial firms (e.g. American Express, CitiBank) vs fintech firms (e.g. Paypal)

• Uber vs. Lyft

• Uber vs. International ride-sharing companies

• Coca Cola vs Pepsi

• McDonald’s vs. Yum! Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell)

Each group should choose a pair of competing businesses or products (you may choose one listed above, or come up with your own pair).

1. What are the competitive advantages of each business or product?

2. Assuming you are the management responsible for one of the businesses or products, suggest ways to enhance the competitive advantages or develop new advantages of your business or product.

3. Should you need to give a more detailed answer to question 2, what information would you like to have? Your analysis should focus on one or more major aspects, which may include but not limited to:

1. Pricing/Strategy

2. Target Customers

3. Growth Potential

4. Supply Chain Management

5. Compensation Scheme

6. Financing

7. Risk Management

8. Technology Factors

9. Security/Safety Considerations

10. Legal, Cultural, Environmental Influences