Team Summary

Strategic Choice and Evaluation Analysis

This week’s individual assignment involved identifying the value discipline, generic strategy, and the grand strategy for the companies that we chose. As previously stated, the companies that Learning Team A chose were: Life Time Fitness, JetBlue, Aramark Corporation, General Motors, Olympic Horizons, and BlueWater Yacht Sales.

The most common value discipline strategy that was discussed was the customer intimacy strategy and operational excellence. The customer intimacy strategy focuses on the needs of the customer to increase customer loyalty. It was shown and discussed that one way Bluewater Yacht Sales achieves their operational excellence is by their reduction of steps requires to complete a product as well as improvement of turnaround times.

Product differentiation and low-cost leadership were two of the generic strategies that were discussed. One way that these companies are able to stay competitive is by showing the uniqueness of their product. Successful product differentiation creates a competitive advantage for the seller, as customers view these products as unique or superior (Investopedia, 2014). We also discussed how JetBlue’s low-cost strategy is effective and helps them keep the costs low for flights.

One grand strategy that was discussed that we all found interesting was the bankruptcy of General Motors. With the use of the bankruptcy strategy, General Motors was able to emerge as one of the top 3 auto producers in the world. We all thought that it was interesting to see General Motors succeed despite their previous bankruptcy filing. The innovation strategy was also a popular strategy that was discussed.

Conclusion

After reviewing our team member’s papers, we now understand the strategies that are used by each existing corporation. It is also interesting to see Karla’s strategies as well as the use of the scorecard for a company that is not yet established, Olympic Horizons.