MBA 661 R4: Global Economic Competitiveness

Report 3
Student Name: _____________________

You must read the requirements first:

1. Please make sure you use your own words and provide detailed answers.
- For questions that are worth 10 points: aim your answers to around half page.
- For questions that are worth 15-20 points: aim your answers to around half page to one
page.
- For questions that are worth 30 points: aim your answers to at least one page.
- For any question: it is okay to provide longer answers, but remember to manage your
time well.
- You do not need to provide definitions, unless a question explicitly asks you to do so.
Your answers must be specific for the question right away!
- Unless otherwise specified and required, your answers must be based on the case only.
- Never simply say a yes or not, but provide your reasons.

2. Please answer all the questions using this document.

- Formatting: Single space, Times New Roman, 12 font, 1" margins.
This template is already formatted this way, so please do not change any formatting
- References follow APA 7th edition.
http://libguides.twu.ca/c.php?g=284731&p=1897471
- You do not need to cite the case, but other sources should be cited and follow APA
style.

Read Social Media War 2021: Snap vs. Facebook vs. TikTok and answer the questions:
1. Snapchat has always wanted to be different. Read the sections of “Snap-The Early Days”,
“Separating Social from Media”, and “Scaling the Enterprise”, discuss how Snapchat pursued
the differentiation strategy, and comment on whether Snapchat is truly different. (10 points)
Start your answers below:

2. Read the sections of “The Competition” and “Snap and Facebook Go to war” and the relevant
Exhibits of the case: comparing Snap vs. Facebook based on the case only, what are the
advantages of Facebook? What are the advantages of Snap, if any? (20 points)
Note: your answers should consider the products & services offered, business model, market
share, market reactions, political/legal risk, and market/financial numbers.
Start your answers below:

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3. Read the section of “The Competition” and the relevant Exhibits of the case: comparing Snap
vs. TikTok based on the case only, what are the advantages of TikTok? What are the
advantages of Snap, if any? (20 points)
Note: your answers should consider the products & services offered, business model, market
share, market reactions, political/legal risk, and market/financial numbers.
Start your answers below:

4. Now let’s conduct the industry structure analysis of the social media industry. Based on all
the information you read from the case, analyze the threat of new entrants to the social media
industry and how Snap can build and sustain its moat. (10 points)
Start your answers below:

5. Now let’s continue with the industry structure analysis of the social media industry. Based on
all the information you read from the case, analyze the bargaining power of suppliers to the
industry: start by identifying suppliers to the industry and then analyze their bargaining
power. (10 points)
Start your answers below:

6. Now let’s continue with the industry structure analysis of the social media industry. Based on
all the information you read from the case, analyze the bargaining power of customers of the
industry: start by identifying customers of the industry and then analyze their bargaining
power. (10 points)
Start your answers below:

7. Based on the analysis of the social media industry. Is there room for three or more players in
the social media industry? Is the industry likely to consolidate? Or is it a “winner-take-all”
business? Please explain your answers. (10 points)
Start your answers below:

8. Privacy and trust are the main challenges facing all social media and technology companies.
Based on the case, discuss the specific challenges faced by the social media industry and how
they could navigate the changing regulatory environment and market sentiments. What are
the roles of government and chance in this industry? (10 points)
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9. Now let’s consider Snap’s future. The company has a few options: (1) target new users either
in the new geographic markets or from older age brackets, (2) differentiate through AR, (3)
focus on a WeChat model, (4) copy the competition, (5) focus on privacy and moderation.

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 Use your own words to describe each option and its trade-offs in 3-5 sentences. What should
Snap do? Explain your answers in detail. (30 points; your answers need to be at least single-
spaced one-page long)
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10. After reading and discussing the Snap case, discuss 3 things you have learned about running
companies that will benefit your managerial career or start-up journey in the future. (15
points)
Note: I am looking for genuine answers and discussions on what you have learned in terms of
running businesses – this should not be just knowledge or facts learned.
Start your answers below:

Read Facelift at Olay and answer the questions:

11. Read the sections of “Proctor and Gamble”, “Global Skincare in 2017”, “US Skincare”, and
“Oil of Olay”. Conduct the industry structure analysis of the global skincare industry as of
2017: discuss the threat of new entrance, the threat of substitutes, and rivalry among existing
competitors in the skincare industry. (20 points)
Start your answers below:

12. Read the sections of “Proctor and Gamble”, “Global Skincare in 2017”, “US Skincare”, and
“Oil of Olay”. Conduct the industry structure analysis of the global skincare industry as of
2017: discuss the bargaining power of customers, demand conditions, and the changing
behavior of younger users of the skincare industry. (20 points)
Start your answers below:

13. Read the sections of “Proctor and Gamble”, “Global Skincare in 2017”, “US Skincare”, and
“Oil of Olay” and consider the four types of industry position: cost leadership,
differentiation, cost focus, and differentiation focus. How has Olay positioned itself and has
the positioning changed? What were Olay’s advantages and disadvantages? (20 points)
Start your answers below:

14. In Lecture 4 we discussed companies’ global competition strategies: (1) international

strategy, (2) multi-domestic strategy, (3) global strategy, and (4) trans-national strategy.
Based on the case and your experience, which strategy has Olay used to compete in the
global market? Has Olay achieved success and competitiveness in the global market? Please
explain your answers. (10 points)
Start your answers below:

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15. Based on the case, summarize the reasons for Olay’s decline. (10 points)
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16. Based on the case, considering the Diamond, Industry Forces, Industry Positions, and Global
Strategies, should Olay refocus on women 35+ or target younger consumers? Please explain
your answers in detail. (15 points)
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17. Based on the case, considering the Diamond, Industry Forces, Industry Positions, and Global
Strategies, should Olay expand its product portfolio or reduce the number of SKUs? Please
explain your answers in detail. (15 points)
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18. Based on the case, considering the Diamond, Industry Forces, Industry Positions, and Global
Strategies, besides targeting different age groups and reconsidering product portfolio, what
other suggestions would you give to Olay to stay competitive in both the domestic US market
and the global market? Please provide action plans and explain your answers in detail. (20
points)
Start your answers below:

19. After reading and discussing the Olay case, discuss 3 things you have learned about running
companies that will benefit your managerial career or start-up journey in the future. (15
points)
Hint: I am looking for genuine answers and discussions on what you have learned in terms of
running businesses – this should not be just knowledge or facts learned.
Start your answers below:

Consider all the cases you have discussed:

20. Based on the class discussion and the case analyses, discuss the top 3 factors that improve
and sustain a company’s competitiveness in the domestic and global markets. Your answers
need to connect to the cases of PayPal, Ford, Zoom, Snap, and Olay. (30 points)
Start your answers below: