Innovation at Timberland: Thinking Outside the Shoe Box Case Analysis

Established an internal design division reducing “time to market” for new products; cross-functional integration required for successful development of new products [Grant p 135].

Sportsman Shoes has been a leader in the shoe industry for more than thirty years. Sportsman manufactures and sells athletic shoes for all types of sports. The company has pursued a low-cost strategy in order to sustain their success. They sell a limited number of shoe designs and have held costs low through manufacturing efficiency and standardized operations. However, the past five years have been a struggle at Sportsman. The shoe market has seen a rise in the availability of low-cost imported shoes that has threatened Sportsman’s competitive position. As a result, company executives have decided it is time for a strategy shift.

Also by law data is collected on consumer inquiries and complain as well as problems to help identify concerns with in the marketplace and strengthen enforcement in a quality improvement

to provide for as wide a range of individual needs as possible and to raise

It’s an effective way to speak directly to the customers’ needs, while offering them the right product solution.

Because they have faced cash shortage trouble. Their profitability has grown for 1993 ~ 1995 period, as we can see from their I/S (e.g. Sales and Net Income, etc.). However, as its business size grows, their A/R increased, which means that it is getting difficult to collect cash. On the other hand, A/P decreased for the same period, which means that the company paid cash for A/P, resulting in critical cash shortage. Furthermore, the A/P payment period is shorter than A/R collection periods, the company’s cash problem happens to be accelerated.

C. Quality: The degree to which a product or service meets customer requirements and expectations.

The company that I have chosen for this assignment and project is Lowe 's Companies, Inc. Lowes strongly focuses on the mission statement “helping the customers to improve their homes”. The company started in 1921 as a small store in North Carolina. Great success and high demand of Lowe’s products led to an increase in the number of stores. By 1955, there were five more functional stores. Rapid growth took place around 1960s. Carl Buchan was one of the founders of Lowe’s, who died in year 1960. Exactly a year later in 1961, the company went public. This was the time when Lowe’s was given its name. Initially it was called North Wilkesboro Hardware Company. By 1979, Lowe’s established more than 50 stores in the United

Regarding John’s Boots, their brand image is from they produce the quality products to the consumer like comfort to wear and good material.

Sports footwear and apparel expected will growth in future as customers cannot substitute these products. However, ASICS have to implement or produce with more high technology product to enhance

Exposure to be achieved: this is to ensure that customers are aware of the brand and what the business has to offer to potential customers.

c. The selected vendor must demonstrate the ability to manufacture the product while at the same time abiding by environmental standards.

So fundamentally the main objective for setting these goal is to expand our business by providing good quality products to our customers at an affordable price so that they love our products and attached with us for longer time and also advertise our business through word of mouth. So it will be helpful for our growth and expansion of the business in the longer term.

The company aims at ensuring that they are recognized as a leading company in its industry and rise above the noise in the market that is caused by competition.

E. Continued focus on improving efficiency and effectiveness in the organisation, from procurement, to supply chain to customer service delivery.