CUNY York College Use of Strategic Positioning in The Planning Stage Discussion

Chapter 6

Hello everyone,

I have to let you know that this is the first time I am using this textbook, and I like it. I like it because it ties chapters’ content to students’ preparedness for their careers. Chapter 6, Strategic Management: How exceptional managers realize a grand design, will be a great chapter to map out your future career’s branding. Page 189 is a must-read! This page’s content contains some key career development elements that I use when coaching in the financial industry. Please review it, draft a plan of action, and if you need to discuss it or polish it, I will be happy to review it with you.

Have you ever wonder how structured organizations are successful most of the time? This chapter will give away their secrete to success, strategic management, and methodical executions. Both amount to a prescriptive process that is well crafted, implemented, results are evaluated, and the process start all over again by adjusting the plan of action for better performance. Chapter 6 will introduce you to what goes in this process. You will learn strategic positioning, the five steps in the strategic-management process, assess the competition, and corporate level strategies.

Enjoy reading chapter 6 and have fun with its career corner by applying these principles to yourselves.

After finishing this week’s reading assignment, I invite you to watch a segment about the CVS Aetna merger. Click here to launch this clip. The two healthcare titans put some of the key elements in this chapter to ensure their continued success. Pay close attention to Larry Merlo’s CEO CVS Health comments to complete this chapter’s discussion.

Discuss the following:

• Do you think CVS and Aetna used strategic positioning in their planning stages leading the merger? If so, explain.
• The chapter talks about Porter’s four competitive strategies. Do you see any of this concept at play in CVS & Aetna’s merging? Explain.
• Do you think CVS and Aetna’s executives took Porter’s five competitive forces under consideration while considering their joint venture? If so, explain.

I invite you to watch one of Jay Leno’s Garage episodes to discuss the two following questions. Click here to watch the clip.

• Discuss which strategy you think Ford applied when designing this vehicle, Cost Leadership Strategy or Differentiation Strategy?
• Can you find any other Porter’s four competitive strategies that ford implemented when making a business decision if it should make this car and offer it for sale?
• Based on what you learned in chapter 6, what are the key elements to a successful organization and managers’ execution?
• The textbook is https://myebooks.mheducation.com/bookshelf/ebooksI will give you info when accepted