You do not need to do any outside research. Everything you need to know is in the HBR case study on Ike

You do not need to do any outside research. Everything you need to know is in the HBR case study on Ikea. You may supplement it with material from the Magretta book and the material on pages 44-45 in the What is Strategy book. In addition, I have put a new PPT on BB under Power Pont Decks.  It is called Ikea tradeoffs, fit and continuity.

Note that researching outside the case and the other materials I have referenced above, often leads me to believe the student has used other internet sources like Google rather than writing the paper himself.

I am the CEO of a home furnishings company considering opening a number of stores to compete directly against Ikea. I want you to write the paper to me as a consultant’s  report showing me what advantages Ikea has in the marketplace and how I should counter them. The paper is to be addressed to me and should be about 1500 words (nominally five pages). As the CEO of a potential rival home furnishings company, I want to understand my competitor. Tell me about the struggles Ikea overcame to get started.  Why did Ikea have difficulty in getting into the normal channels of distribution?  How did Ikea overcome them? What distinctives does Ikea have in the marketplace?  

What do you think of Ikea’s Click-and-Collect program as an internet scheme to supplement Ikea’s regular retail stores..

           Using Porter’s five tests of an excellent strategy show how Ikea successfully addressed each of these tests.  Put special emphasis on the “fit” of Ikea’s activities in giving Ikea a sustainable competitive advantage.

           If I were to ask you whether my company should open a series of stores to compete against Ikea, what would your recommendation be? Justify the position you recommend.

           I want paper written as a report to me. I don’t want APA or MLA – just write it as you would to your employer.  This means you should make your recommendation in the first page to grab and hold my attention.

Citing references tell me you got the work from somewhere other than your own brain. I want to see how you think so you don’t need citations.