Read the following chapters and case in your Pearce and Robinson text:

Chapter 8: “Business Strategy”

Chapter 9: “Multibusiness Strategy”

Case 3: “The Apollo Group, Inc. [University of Phoenix]”

Tip: While you are reading your chapters, take note of the pages where you encounter information that will help you with your case analysis Assignment.

Key Concepts

Differentiation strategy seeks to build competitive advantage with its product or service by having it be different from other available competitive products through features, performance, or other factors not directly related to price. The difference needs to be difficult to copy or imitate.

A successful differentiation strategy allows a firm to provide a product or service of perceived higher value to buyers at a cost below the value premium. The buyer feels the additional cost is well below what the product or service is worth to them.

Differentiation is usually preferable to Low-Cost strategy. Industry costs often decline over time, and as products age, competitors learn how to match cost advantages.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Case Study Analysis PowerPoint (PPT) Presentation:

Prepare a case study analysis on Case 3: “The Apollo Group, Inc. [University of Phoenix]” found in the Cases section of your digital textbook.

Closely follow the PowerPoint Template by clicking on the hyperlink. Please utilize this template to help you complete this Assignment.

Focus upon the idea of conducting a case study analysis with respect to The Apollo Group’s multi-business strategy using one of the three portfolio approaches to move the company competitively forward. Explain why a business might choose a low cost, differentiation, or speed-based strategy.

Use titles and subtitles per slide for each guidelines element. Please include the SWOT analysis with the four quadrants on the SWOT diagram slide. You can find the Case Study SWOT analysis template in Doc Sharing for reference.

Assignment Checklist:

·               Describe and illustrate one of the three portfolio approaches.

·               Explain why a business would choose a low cost, differentiation, or speed-based strategy.

·               Conduct a strategic analysis and choice for a multi-business company.

In this Assignment that focuses upon the idea of conducting a case study analysis with respect to multi-business strategy using one of the three portfolio approaches to move the company competitively forward , you will engage in developing the following professional competency:

·               Leadership with respect to knowing how to use software for job to support business analysis and operations

For additional Assignment details see Rubric as per attached.

Reference:

Pearce, J. A., & Robinson, R. B. (2013). Strategic management: Planning for domestic & global competition (13th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.