Business Unit Analysis
Directions: Create a Feasibility Study for Harley-Davidson using the following outline:
Part I: Differentiation Strategies
The analysis of current strategy and competitor analysis you conducted last module impressed the senior vice president. She now needs you to delve into the brands and analyze them by conducting a business unit analysis and presenting your findings in a three-part PowerPoint presentation.
Research the Harley-Davidson (H-D) Web site for each brand and review the annual report for relevant details of the size scope target market services and amenities and other salient points of differentiation. Include these details in Part I of your PowerPoint presentation.
From the research and analysis of the business units identify:
Part II: SWOT Analysis
Perform a SWOT analysis for Harley-Davidson and include this information in Part II of your PowerPoint presentation.
Part III: Growth and Profitability Strategies
In addition the executive board is interested in your ideas about bold strategies for the future. The strategies you recommend will have to contribute to growth and profitability as outlined in the Annual Report.
You will want to pay special attention to exploring vertical integration strategic alliances and the internal growth of new brands entering new geographic markets and/or additional acquisitions.
Consider the following:
This may include additional diversification to take advantage of opportunities such as further vertical integration.
After you have reviewed the growth and profitability strategies create a list of possible strategies to present a full range of ideas.
Part III of your presentation should include your complete listall potential ideasfor the senior vice
president. This is your chance to be creative.
Next rank your ideas from best to worst. To do this keep in mind several things such as fit with current strategy resources and capabilities and difficulty of execution.
For each of your top five ideas add the following:
Think about such things as:
Your PowerPoint Feasibility Study presentation will also include slides pertaining to the following assessments:
Submit the PowerPoint Feasibility Study presentation to the senior vice president so that she can review the alternatives and provide you with feedback about your ideas.
