Outback Steakhouse - 2004
Case Questions
1. Market
A. Clearly and specifically define this business as it now exists and its market in one clear and specific sentence. This must be a complete definition (customer, product/service, level in chain, and geographic area at a minimum).
B. Provide full support as to why this is the best definition. Address each part of the definition separately.
2. Competitive Profile Matrix - CPM
A. For purposes of the CPM only, clearly and specifically define this business as it now exists and its market in one clear and specific sentence. This must be a complete definition (customer, product/service, level in chain, and geographic area at a minimum). It will be narrower than the definition in #1 which is used for all other questions except #2.
B. Provide full support as to why this is the best definition. Address each part of the definition separately.
C. Prepare a Competitive Profile Matrix for the company, comparing it to Lone Star Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse. Use 10 to 12 factors. Be sure you use competitive factors and the same industry you defined in #2A.
D. What does this tool recommend for the company? Explain. Be sure to clearly address BOTH levels of the recommendation.
3. Current Strategy
Analyze and discuss fully what overall strategy or set of strategies the company is currently pursuing. Be specific, not generic. You must support your position with facts. Be sure to differentiate between business strategies and functional strategies.
4. Rumelt
Relate each of Rumelt's four criteria to your answer in #3. Answer the following questions for EACH criteria. You must be complete in your answers. Arrange your answer as: 1. Consistency, then A through D, 2, etc.
A. Does the strategy meet the criteria?
B. To what extent?
C. Does it fall short? How?
D. Could the strategy have been modified to better meet these criteria? How? Support.
5. Recommendation:
A. What one major strategy should they pursue now? You must be specific (not generic) and support fully. Support for your choice being the most appropriate choice is critical. Use the following outline to answer this question. You must address all detail items within 3 & 4 fully.
1. State your recommended strategy.
2. Explain your strategy.
3. Support why your strategy is appropriate.
4. Support why your strategy is the best strategy.
B. Clearly relate and justify your proposed strategy to each tool above.
1. Relate to CPM in #2D.
2. Relate to Rumelt in #4 for each of the four criteria.
See FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions about this case.
- Q1 – 8/01/2006 -