Essay About Companys Resources And Competitive Forces

Business Case
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What are the dominant economic characteristics of the specialty baking market? Does it
appear that the industrys prospects for growth and attractive profits are good?
2. How strong are the competitive forces confronting Sift and other specialty bakers? Which one
of the five competitive forces is the strongest? Prepare a five-forces analysis to support your
answer.
3. What key factors will determine a companys success in the specialty baking market in the
next 3-5 years?
4. What is Sift Cupcake and Dessert Bars strategy? Which of the five generic competitive
strategies discussed in Chapter 5 most closely fits the competitive approach that Sift is
taking? Explain.
5. Which of the companys resources and capabilities have the greatest competitive power? Are
Sifts resources and capabilities (1) competitively valuable, (2) rare, (3) difficult to copy, and
(4) not easily be trumped by the substitute resources of rival firms? How well do Sifts
resources and capabilities match up with the industrys key success factors?
6. What is your appraisal of Sifts financial performance based on the data in case Exhibit 9?
How well is the company doing financially? Use the financial ratios in the Appendix of the
text as a guide in preparing the calculations needed to arrive at an analysis-based answer to
your assessment of Sifts financial performance.
7. Which of the three strategic options under consideration by Sifts owners have the best fit
with its internal and external situations? What recommendations would you make to Andrea
and Jeff Ballus to strengthen the companys competitive position and future strategic and
financial performance?