Swisher Mower

Discount Tire Co. (2016) SWOT summarized the following analysis of the company, “Strengths: Comprehensive product and service portfolio, robust store operations and brand image and online shopping with interactive wheel system. Weaknesses: Private ownership and limited geographical spread increases its business risks. Opportunities: Positive outlook for the United States new cars market and establishment of new stores for business expansion. Threats: Intense competition and growing retail operations of other tire manufacturers” (Discount Tire Co, 2016, p. 12). This SWOT analysis if used properly, can help organizations make decisions that align their vision with their goals.

We are aiming at understanding how Recreational Equipment INC. (REI) achieved a competitive advantage through their strategies and how they implemented those strategies. REI differs from the other sporting goods stores in their quality product selection, complements, and excellent brand name promotion. These qualities enable REI to sell merchandise at premium price levels (Morse, 2003).

With the shift in the end customers demographics, it would be wise for Stihl to consider alternative strategies to supplement their current reliance on independent specialty dealers. A company must always address who the end customer is, when you forget or choose to ignore who the customer is, then you tend to not be able to reach them. The marketing mix (product, price, placement, and promotion) has to be in tune with who the end customer is and what their economic situation might be. The case breaks down the changes or shift in demographics in the form of predictables and unpredictibles.

The problem that Deere faces is how they can successfully move to the middle of the perceptual map to be respected as a manufacturer of both small tractors and large tractors. There are several observations that can be made regarding the positioning of the competitors. The first observation is both International Harvester and Case are competing in both the large and small tractor market. It is evident that International Harvester experience financial difficulties perhaps as a result of not having a singular focus. Another observation is that Caterpillar’s decision to “reposition” itself from a small manufacturer to a large manufacturer could easily be explained by Paretti’s 80/20 rule. Caterpillar enjoyed an extensive dealer network, and their dealer sales ranged from $12 million to $70 million, versus Deere’s $1 million to $16 million in sales per dealer. By tapping into Paretti’s 80/20 principle, Deere could enjoy increased margins from the sale of parts alone.

The Harley Owners Group or HOG is a factory sponsored motorcycle enthusiast club established in 1983. Its main aim was to negate the influence of outlaw bike-gangs as the face of the Harley Davidson brand and enhance the lifestyle experience of a Harley Davidson owner. This was the roadmap of the firm’s broad philosophy of getting close to the customer. There was a great need to address two main issues with respect to the brand.

In “The Mower Against Gardens,” Andrew Marvell uses a conceit to liken the plants in an English garden to the women of a brothel, exemplifying the theme of man’s perversion of nature. Three main metaphors are used, the first being mankind as the brothel owner. The second metaphor is the flowers as prostitutes, and the final metaphor is the flowers’ offspring as abandoned children.

With giants such as Walmart, and Kroger running the grocery store industry it’s difficult for companies such as Smuckers to bargain for shelf-space and prices. Brand name items drawn to the center of the store are what leverages these companies to succeed in the industry. After numerous acquisitions and strategic alliances, Smuckers developed a solid core of product lines which experienced success rapidly. Product lines that experienced the most success as a result of strong positioning in the industry included their Coffee labels, flour and baking products, Oils and food spreads. A 9-Cell Industry Attractiveness/Business Strength Matrix shows that the Industry attractiveness is relatively moderate. With many competitors and strong buyer power from large grocery chains such as Kroger, companies such as Smuckers have explored different strategies that have proved successful in what can be described as a saturated industry. The case insinuates that there may be opportunities in the industry in regards to special markets and perhaps Oils and Baking with sugar free products, but otherwise the recession, although it drove families to buy store bought as opposed to eating out, has had its effects on the food service industry as well.

Long the pride of Peoria, Illinois, Caterpillar, Inc. has established itself as a premier global manufacturing powerhouse whose commercial construction, transportation and engine solutions have come to symbolize durability, quality, and economic progress. This project paper examines the operational and financial numbers resulting from the company’s global sales reach. This paper reviews the publically available corporate financial results for the last decade. This financial data review will be expanded to incorporate how operating and investing activities and results have also impact the Caterpillar bottom line. The paper will conclude with a short summary analysis providing team conclusions to whether the Caterpillar

So-called Major domestics producers, especially Anheuser Bush, MMBC’s main competitor, are focused on economies of scale in production and advertisement and spend heavily to maintain their own sales level. They dominate the market with 42% of market share in the East Central Region (Case study - Exhibit 3)

Harley Davidson Company has a long history of building motorcycles that have worked to actually shape a part of the American culture. Its product positioning and marketing strategies have served as a prime example for any company to imitate. Harley Davidson has developed immense levels of brand loyalty over the years. However, the company has also been burdened by the recent economic downturn and now is going through something of a rebuilding phase as it tries to determine its best course forward. This analysis will conduct a SWOT assessment of Harley Davidson's current position and make recommendations on how Harley can continue to develop the next phase of its iconic American brand.

Good relationships, continuous improvement, employee and management involvement, team building or employee training and empowerment are not just words out of a management book for Harley-Davidson. Only by adopting those management techniques and building a solid base between the management and the Unions/employees made it possible for Harley-Davidson to improve its management processes. While management 's responsibility is to build

The first strategy Harley-Davidson uses is customer focus. Harley-Davidson offers a wide range of products and services, from children’s’ tricycles, clothing accessories, and affordable motorcycles to more higher-ended luxury motorcycles targeting customers in all age groups. By allowing their customers to personalize and customize their motorcycles, this strategy helps build their second strategy, which is brand loyalty. Other strategies that help build brand loyalty and selling dreams are to have groups, such as the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and the Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG), so they can emphasize to their customers that everyone is welcome to join its large extended family for riders,. Their value is: “Tell the truth. Be fair. Keep your promises. Respect the individual. Encourage intellectual Curiosity.” (Harley-Davidson web

In this paper we will perform a complete analysis of the Harley-Davidson Corporation including their corporate and business strategies, strengths and weaknesses, environmental opportunities, the five industry forces, and financial situation. Harley-Davidson has many attributes, which will be apparent in the following analysis. The paper will attempt to define the different components of the analysis and put them all together in a way that seeks to explain the way that they contribute to the overall success of the company and its stakeholders.

Evaluate Schwinn's downward stretching strategy of selling bikes for prices from $100 to 2,500. How does a downward stretch impact the marketing mix? What are the pros and

U.S demand for tractors had stagnated due to a recession in the farming industry. Because of lower demand for its big, high-performance machines, USAT has weathered the recession better than had some of its larger competitors. However, during the past year, the order backlog had been completed considering export opportunities, and Mary had been asked to