Assignment Overview

In a 6 to 8 page paper identify the primary business strategy employed by Pepsico. You will be providing a critical, written analysis evaluating that strategy in the context of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that were identified in Module 2 (see separate attachment).

This is a continuation of my first two assignments. You’ll find the completed assignments posted separately below (see attached).

Required Reading: Read the following scenario carefully before you proceed.

• I’ll add a separate list of more “resources to cite” below (remember to closely support premises of thought with course material)
• This is a continuation of my first two assignments. You’ll find the completed assignments posted separately below (see attached).
• Note: Reflect on the above—and analyze critically though you will want to consult the library, some websites, and other resources. Cite your sources, and do not copy-and-paste material directly from those resources. Use direct quotations sparingly, if at all.

Case Assignment

In a 6- to 8-page paper, respond to the following:

• Which of the four generic (Porter) strategies does Pepsico follow, and how do you know?
• Integrate the strategy you have identified above with the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats you identified in Case 2 (this exercise should provide you with some specific actions the company should be taking relative to its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. These actions are referred to as “strategic choices”). Do Pepsico’s strategic choices align with the firm’s generic strategy? If not, what are the specific points of disconnect? Think critically about this step, as no company achieves perfect alignment of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats with its chosen strategy. As the MBA, it is your job to uncover the discrepancies and problems.
• How can Pepsico leverage its strengths and shore up its weaknesses by altering its strategic choices? How can the company take advantage of environmental opportunities and minimize environmental threats by altering its strategic choices? Be specific.
• Complete the paper by commenting on how your view of Pepsico’s vision and mission has changed or has been reconfirmed by this process of strategic analysis. Would you make any suggestions to revise the company’s vision, mission, or values statements, or to any of its goals/objectives?

Consider the Case as a formal business report that you are developing for the Board of Directors and CEO as Pepsico’s consultant. This is a professional document. Follow the format below:

• Executive summary: This is a synopsis of the main points, conclusions, and recommendations made in the longer report. If you would like a refresher on writing an executive summary, check this website: http://www.csun.edu/~vcecn006/summary.html
• Introduction: State the main purpose of the paper (thesis statement), what you hope to accomplish, and how you will go about doing it.
• Main Body: The “meat” of the paper. Emphasize analysis, not just description. Delineate separate topics or sections with headings.
• Conclusion: Summarize your paper in light of your thesis statement.

Assignment Expectations

In a 6 to 8 page paper identify the primary business strategy employed by Pepsico. You will be providing a critical, written analysis evaluating that strategy in the context of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that were identified in Case 2 (see separate attachment).

This is a continuation of my first two assignments. You’ll find the completed assignments posted separately below (see attached).

Consider yourself a consultant hired by the company to make these critical assessments. There are no right or wrong answers to the questions – however, your position must be well-defended.

I’ll add a separate list of more “resources to cite” below (remember to closely support premises of thought with course material)

Things to pay particular attention to:

• Assignment-Driven Criteria –center your focus on each stated requirement
• Critical Thinking –closely support premises of thought with course material.
• Business Writing – Organize your thoughts. Please consider the MEAL paragraph organizational tool – Main Idea, Evidence (reference support), Analysis (breakdown and discussion), Link- refer back to main idea (area for improvement)
• Effective Use of Information – Application of the key concepts
• Citing Sources – Deployment of in text citations in support of your thoughts

Please note the following tips and suggestions:

• Use section headings as appropriate. Use graphs, charts, or figures strategically – but do not use these as “space fillers.” Include large graphs, etc., as an Appendix instead.
• Cite and reference all sources that you use in your work, including those that you paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes, and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or paraphrased from other sources.
• NOTE: You will be asked to make business decisions under conditions of incomplete information and uncertainty. To do so effectively, you will need to make assumptions based on how it relates to the ways in which markets operate. To this extent, you need to rely on models, financial analysis, and theories. In addition, the simulation will give you some additional market information as you progress. Crunch the numbers and present your data analysis professionally by creating some simple tables, charts, and graphs.

Please let me know ASAP if there are any issues. Thanks.