What are the issues that Dillard's is currently facing?

Identify the major firm-specific problems/issues now facing the company you are analyzing. What are the most critical and fundamental issues the firm needs to grapple with now to obtain or maintain a sustained competitive advantage? Remember that your chosen problem statements should be a logical extension of your analysis in Chapter 2. Your situation analysis is the foundation on which you make your problem statements.

If you are solidly convinced that Dillards is very well run and does not have any major problems (this has to be justified), you may focus on future issues (but of course still supported by your analysis in Chapter 2). What issue(s) (such as a change in one of the macro-environmental factors) is(are) looming on the horizon that Dillards will have to deal with to maintain its competitive advantage (if it has

one)? If these looming problem(s) are not soon addressed, how will they likely have a major negative impact on the company's performance? Remember that virtually no well-run company can keep doing the same thing without making some changes to remain competitive. Stated differently, the phrase "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" is not a valid analysis for this class (and most strategic situations).

Make sure your problem/issue statements are focused, concise, clear, and well written. The core idea of each statement should be able to be communicated in one or two sentences embedded in a single paragraph. This represents the cornerstone of your paper. Remember, a good problem statement is firm- specific (meaning that it is unlikely it could be applied to other firms even in the same industry).

Sub-issues. What are the sub-issues or supporting factors that may confirm the criticalness and/or centrality of the identified problems? How do various parts of your situation analysis confirm and support your problem statements?