IBM’s Smarter Planet Essay

1.(a) Using Medtronic as an example, apologize how a military commission assertion gives a strategic direction. (b) Create a mission statement for your accept c areer. function(a) A mission statement gives strategic direction by stating the what and how of a line of merchandise in a clear, concise, meaningful, inspirational, statement that go away continue to be relevant in the long-term. Medtronics mission statement identifies its customers, market, increases and technology. They stated the business they are in and their specific goals.(b) It is my business to progressively coordinate strategic methods of authorisation and to do so with passion and commitment.2.What competencies best describe (a) your college or university and (b) your favorite restaurant? upshot(a) Wayne College to stick outs high gear quality, accessible credit and noncredit educational opportunities to the citizens of Wayne, Medina, and Holmes counties and surrounding areas, and partners with and resourc e for the communities and organizations it serves.(b) House of Hunan, Fairlawn, has quality Chinese, Thai, vegetarian, & sushi choices. Ambiance is reminiscent of centenarian Chinatown and it is often full of patrons. Great chicken dishes, good dumplings, and very good quality beef. Service is good, provender is fresh and satisfying, and the price is fair value.3.Why does a product often start as a head word mark and then move counterclockwise around the BCGs crop-share matrix shown in Figure 2-4? doWhen a product is introduced, it is usually a question mark because it is new and there is uncertainty ab by consumers acceptance of them. After a period of time, depending on the product category, the not-so-new product could be classified as a star if its growth rate is sizeable and had a signifi contri hardlyet share of the product category. If the growth rate in the product category falls substantially and there is great competition from competing brands, the product probably wi ll fall in the cash cow category. If, however, the product isnt supported with an hard-hitting market program, it could become a dog.4.Select one strength, one weakness, one opportunity, and one threat from the SWOT abbreviation for Ben & Jerrys shown in Figure 2-7. Suggest an action that a marketing private instructor there index take to address each factor.AnswerStrength Recognized for its social mission, values and actions. This can be used to reinforce their green base consumers by constantly updating the naturalness of their ice work out according to current food trends. Weakness B&Js social responsibility actions could cut off focus. By focusing on the product, and constantly innovating flavors, much prospective customers (from all walks of life) could be gained. Opportunity increase U.S. demand for 100-calorie novelties such as cones and bars. They could look into developing new products in the low-calorie, low-fat, low-carb, low-sugar spectrum of frozen desserts. Thr eat Competes with familiar Mills and Nestle brands. Ben and Jerrys can research which products and flavors are the most popular among the competing brands and use that as inspiration for new flavors in their own line.5.What is the main result of each of the three phases of the strategic marketing process? (a) preparation, (b) implementation, and (c) evaluation.Answer(a) Planning phase. Results are formal marketing plans that identify specific objectives to be achieved by a particular time and the specific actions to achieve those objectives. (b) Implementation phase. Results areformal meterments of the results achieved, which can be compared with the plans established in the planning phase to determine if any deviations from plans occurred. (c) Evaluation phase. Results are new actions interpreted to exploit opportunities where deviations from plans are better than expected or corrective actions where deviations from plans are worse than expected.6.The goal-setting step in the pla nning phase of the strategic marketing process sets quantified objectives for use in the evaluation phase. What does a manager do if measured results fail to meet objectives? Exceed objectives?AnswerIf the marketing manager discovers a planning gap, which is a difference between the sound projection of the path to reach a new goal and the projection of the path of the results of a plan already in place for the marketing program, he or she can take the following actionsFailed Objectives Correct a negative deviation by making minor or major changes to the existing marketing program of a product to better reflect future expectations in the marketing environment.Exceeded Objectives Exploit a positive deviation by strengthening strategic partnerships and engage in a market development, or product development, scheme to maintain or enhance the firms position.1.What is IBMs Smarter satellite business strategy? How does this strategy relate to IBMs mission and values?AnswerIBMs Smarter P lanet strategy is based on the companys summary that recognizes changes in the business environment and aims to create a global enterprise using connectivity. It includes the capability of telephones, computers, and other technology. This relates to IBMs mission and values because they are a company that take hold ofks out ways to keep their consumers happy and are facial expression for more ways to innovate by developing more advancedtechnologies.2.Conduct a SWOT analysis for IBMs Smarter Planet initiative. What are the relevant trends to consider for the next three to five years?AnswerStrengths Well-known name, owns many new technologies and patents, market sector is well defined, high quality employees, satisfy customers wants and needs, and behave a clear, concise mission statement. Weaknesses With a big name like IBM, change may be difficult. Many of the products offered are not customizable. Lack of intercultural experience, narrow range of products offered, and most busin ess products are adapt towards queen-size businesses. Opportunities Offer new technologies and services locally and in developing countries. Smarter Planet involves new ways of thinking. Threats potential securities risks. Demand for Smarter Planet solutions will depend on interest in change preferably than just reaction to problems.In the next three to five years we are likely to see fewer trade barriers, the growth of developing economies, and increasing access to the internet. Growth markets such as China, India, Brazil, and Africa will be able to use IBM products. Customers will have a need for more custom-made technical solutions and cross-technology connectivity. Businesses will need analytics and optimization, cloud and fresher computing solutions and technology for the globally integrated enterprise.3.How can IBM communicate its strategy to companies, cities, and governments? How is Watson a part of the communication strategy?AnswerThe current CEO of IBM, Sam Palmisano, sent out a letter for their annual report, titled Letter from the Chairman. In this letter, he had a decently statement about the Smarter Planet. According to him, Smarter Planet is not a metaphor. It describes the infusion of intelligence operation into the way the being actually works, the way that almost anything-any person, any object, any process or any service, for any organization, large or small-can now becomedigitally aware, networked, and intelligent. Palmisano also met with some Wall Street financial advisors and held six-hour education sessions with investors to answer questions about their business strategy. IBM also used print and TV ads to campaign in more detail what Palmisanos message was. These ads focused on the ability to correct the world now, with the help from IBM. The IBM website also supported the campaign with industry reports, video descriptions of the smarter planet concept, and stats about the improvements at smarter planet clients.Watson, which is an artificial intelligence program, was also part of the communication strategy. Watson was featured on the game show Jeopardy, and competed against two diametric contestants, and won both times. By having Watson on TV, where millions of people could view it, this was one more way to provide a consistent and integrated message.4.What are the benefits of the Smarter Planet initiative to (a) society and (b) IBM?Answer(a) IBMs Smarter Planet strategy benefits society by providing solutions for forward-thinking organizations that share a common outlook they see change as an opportunity and they act on possibilities, not just react to problems. The retailers, who implemented smart systems to analyze get behavior, merchandise assortment, and demand were able to cut supply chain costs by 30%, squinch inventory levels by 25%, and increase sales by 10%. The Memphis Police Department trim back crime by 28% by using IBM solutions to analyze its data. Banks are also using smart systems to track loans and manage risk, increasing efficiency and customer service. The solutions also help reduce costs, cut waste, improve efficiency, and increase productivity for companies, industries, and cities.(b) While there may be short-term costs involved in shifting IBM from commodity-based businesses to customizable businesses, IBM believes that the transformation will provide growth for the company and its employees, success for its customers, and improved value for its stockholders.5.How should IBM measure the results of the Smarter Planet strategy?AnswerSince introducing the Smarter Planet strategy, IBM has collaborated with more than 600 organizations around the globe. In each case, there are different measures of the results of smart solutions. One of the important elements of Smarter Planet is youre looking at the collision of investments on a whole system. Youre looking not just at internal operational improvements but at the effect on the companys brand, at strategic advan tages it brings and even at the impact on society.