1. Issues

Listed below are five issues. For each issue, explain what makes it an issue and clearly state how it expands or limits the alternatives available to the company.

    A. An independent, privately held, company

    B. In a highly cyclical industry

    C. Narrow product line

    D. An industrial (not consumer) product

    E. Product is expensive and has a long life

2. Problem Statement

There are five different possible problem statements listed below. Briefly discuss how each could be considered a strategic problem. Then state which ONE of these best summarizes the most important strategic problem facing the company in the case and FULLY support your position.

    A. How broad a product line to offer

    B. How to smooth out production volume cycles

    C. How much to grow over the next five years

    D. What geographic area to actively market

    E. Whether to "go it alone" or be acquired and/or establish other types of alliances

3. Alternatives

A. Prepare four (4) specific, reasonable, and significantly different alternative strategies for this company. State each clearly, briefly, and in specific terms. No generic alternatives.

B. For each alternative in A, list at least three specific advantages and three specific disadvantages.

4. 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:

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 each issue analyzed in #1.

2. Relate to your selected best problem statement in #2.

3. Relate to your alternative analysis of the selected alternative in #3.