Competitive Strategies

Competitive Strategies

Sebena Foust

Dr. Etta Steed

Contemporary Business

Abstract

The long rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi is well known to most people. The two companies are in competition to gather the market share of consumers. Coca-Cola is the older of the two companies and it is leading the pact with its soft drinks. Both companies have unique and diverse cultures that appeal to different generations. Coca-Cola presents its company as one consisting of a combination of company, team and passion. While Pepsi’s culture is based on performing with purpose.

The Difference in the Corporate Culture of Coca-Cola vs Pepsi

These two soda giants have a long history of rivalry. Coco-Cola was originally created in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton as a tonic with cocaine in it. It was used to fight depression, but because of the cocaine in it people became addicted. After cocaine was abolished by the Food and Drug Administration Coca-Cola launched an aggressive advertising campaign to promote it as a beverage. (Smith, 2012) Paracha, Waqas, Khan, Ahmad classified Coca-cola as “The genuine thing” in its article about the giant of the soda competition.(Paracha, Waqas, Khan, Ahmad, 2012)

Pepsi was created in 1898 by a pharmacist by the name of Caleb Bradham, primarily to compete against Coca-Cola. Because it was created as a competitor it has always had an aggressive advertising campaign. Pepsi came on the scene as a drink for sports fans that were fun and daring whereas Coca-Cola is advertised as a fun time period. (Smith, 2012)

Today Coca-Cola has a unique culture of “One Company. One Team. One Passion”. (Unique Culture section, para 1)

One company is defined as an environment of free flowing ideas supported and encouraged by the company. These ideas are used to develop opportunities and skills for future demands. One team is the employees who have the vision need to create the passion and innovation behind the product. One...