...industry changes or the company is acquired by another company at bigger size. There are some conditions that influence how companies take care of competitive markets. They include strong corporate culture, employees learning and development attitude, management long-term vision, situation in a particular market, and competitors’ strategy, to name a few. This condition occurs in Gillette, the leader in razor and blades market in the world, where they currently face the maturity of the industry and get stuck in the old-fashioned strategy. Many times, they commit a product innovation on continual basis as a means to position Gillette as a leading company in the razor and blades market. Unfortunately, their main competitor, Schick-Wilkinson Sword, also responds the competition by innovating products in terms of number of blades in a single razor. As Gillette makes more profits from the blade sales rather than initial razor purchase, the company needs marketing innovation rather than product innovation. Concerning this issue, this paper will elaborate Gillette’s product innovation, the battle with Schick, and recommendation for improving its leadership in razor and blades market. Product Innovation at Gillette One common strategy in facing competition is to nurture product innovation. Sometimes, the idea to develop a new product comes from an observation of previous products and...
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...What are the main issues of the Battle? Apple is trying to protect its patent. “A patent is a set of exclusive rights granted by the government,”(piperpat.com) usually for a new invention/product. Apple have many patents, however they cannot protect them all as there is a constant change and upgrade in technology that only specific new features can be protected such as their ‘pinch and stretch’. Apple won a court battle after suing Samsung for “$1.05billion due to patent infringement.”(Opinion,2012) However they only won the battle as Samsung copied their ‘pinch and stretch’ trick. Below shows the courts ruling over certain patent claims by Apple towards Samsung. Samsung retaliated by trying to claim that Apple copied some of Samsung’s patents. However the judges ruled against Samsung. The key factors, in this patent battle are to prevent the other from gaining more market share and stealing their ideas. Both companies are large and have a large share in the tablet and smart phone market. The paperwork is based around a battle for patent, it is clear that it’s a battle over market share, reputation and a fight for dominance. This is why neither will back down, or accept they are at fault. The court battles are costing them millions and if it carries on the costs will damage the company’s reputations and profit’s as these costs need to be covered someone. Who are the main actors implicated and what are their claims? The billion-dollar patents dispute between hi-tech...
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...The Art of Standards Wars Carl Shapiro Hal R. Varian S tandards wars—battles for market dominance hetween incompatible technologies—are a fixture of the information age. Based on our study of historical standards wars, we have identified several generic strategies, along with a number of winning tactics, to help companies fighting today's—and tomorrow's—battles. There is no doubt about the significance of standards battles in today's economy. Public attention is currently focused on the Browser War between Microsoft and Netscape (oops, America On-Line). Even as Judge Jackson evaluates the legality of Microsoft's tactics in the Browser War, the Audio and Video Streaming Battle is heating up between Microsoft and RealNetworks over software to deliver audio and video over the Internet. The 56k Modem War of 1997 pitted 3Com against Rockwell and Lucent. Microsoft's Word and Excel have vanquished WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3 respectively. Most everyone remembers the Video-Cassette Recorder Duel of the 1980s, in which Matsushita's VHS format triumphed over Sony's Betamax format. However, few recall how Philips's digital compact cassette and Sony's minidisk format both flopped in the early 1990s. This year, it's DVD versus Divx in the battle to replace both VCRs and CDs. Virtually every high-tech company has some role to play in these battles, perhaps as a primary combatant, more likely as a member of a coalition or Prepared for the Cnlifornia Management Review.Jh'is material...
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...success? Has product innovation in the wet-shaving market come to an end? Explain. Gillette had dominated the personal shaving market for quite a long time. They did not focus on product innovation very much, and when it did, it focused on acquiring existing product lines. In 1962, when Wilkinson Sword launched its stainless-steel blade, Gillette finally had competition. Wilkinson Sword could not exploit the niche it had created and Gillette was able to purchase much of their existing blade business. However, the damage was done and the competition dropped their market share to an all-time low. Gillette continued to diversify their product line, but was met with mixed success. It was at that time that Gillette gained even more dominance in its market by their product development. It began continuously attacking its own products. From the Trac II to Atra to Sensor to Mach3 to Fusion, Gillette kept on innovating and attacking it own products. It revolutionized the wet-shaving market throughout the world through continuous evolution in their product line since its inception. In many ways Gillette has been a victim of its own success - when they were being innovative, they were "cannibalizing" their own successful products. While their new inventions drove up their sales, it often took away from the sales of its previous products and did not increase their market share. I do feel product innovation in the wet-shaving market has come to an end. The five blade Fusion did nothing...
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...Competition in the Movie Rental Industry in 2008: Netflix and Blockbuster battle for Market Leadership Strategic Issues Netflix has limited streaming via online downloading. They also have limited market segment. Blockbuster does not maintain enough inventories of new releases, and also needs to expand into online downloading. Analysis Industry’s Dominant Economic Features The movie rental industry’s market size is relatively large with $24.9 billion in 2007, which is up from $22 million in 2004. The growth rate will continue to rise with the demand for movie entertainment. There are a few numbers of rivals, but the industry is consolidating to an even smaller number of competitors. Today the scope of competitive rivalry is a globalized industry but in the beginning of this industry it would have been local, regional and national. The numbers of buyers have been increasing since 2000 with the introduction of new technologies has rapidly increased consumer opportunities to view movies. Consumers could obtain movies through various channels. They could purchase them through retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Amazon or they could subscribe to Netflix or Blockbuster and have movies directly mailed to their own homes. They could also subscribe to any cable movie channel to order movies instantly streamed to their TV’s on a pay-per-view basis. The degree of production differentiation is low since movies are a commodity. Customer can either get their...
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...CASE 1)Evaluate product innovation at Gillette throughout its history. Has Gillette been a victim of its own success? Has product innovation in the wet-shaving market come to an end? Explain. When we look at Gillette’s product innovation throughout its history, Gillette continued developing, innovating it self. Yes the product innovation in the wet-shaving market come to an end and now it is in decline part of the cycle but Gillette razors are still selling because shaving with razors has become the habit of consumers throughout the years and it is the cheapest way. Gillette also came up with personal care products. As the rivalry gets hot, Gillette comes up with new innovations, which are better than the competitors every time. 2)What do you make of the battle between Gillette and Schick? Is the battle one upmanship good for either company? The battle between Gillette and Schick is very good for the consumer. This rivalry is upmanship good for both of the companies in a way. Because everytime that one of the brands come up with a new product, the other brand decides to produce a better version of it. So the innovations always stay fresh and the consumers benefit from this battle. 3)What actions would you recommend over the next five years that would help Gillette maintain its worldwide dominance in the shaving market? What specific marketing program decisions would you recommend? Should Gillette be worried about Schick? Explain. I would recommend Gillette to focus more on...
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...April 12-14 - Battle of Fort Sumter - South Carolina June 3 - Battle of Philippi - Virginia July 21 - First Battle of Bull Run - Virginia October 21 - Battle of Ball's Bluff – Virginia November 7 - Battle of Belmont – Missouri 1862 March 8-9 - Battle of Hampton Roads - Virginia April 10-11 - Battle of Fort Pulaski - Georgia May 31 - Battle of Seven Pines - Virginia July 1 - Battle of Malvern Hill - Virginia August 28-30 - Second Battle of Manassas – Virginia September 1 - Battle of Chantilly – Virginia December 13 - Battle of Fredericksburg – Virginia April 24/25 - Capture of New Orleans – Louisiana February 21 - Battle of Valverde - New Mexico March 26-28 - Battle of Glorieta Pass - New Mexico May 1-6 - Battle of Chancellorsville - Virginia 1863 June 9 - Battle of Brandy Station – Virginia July 11 & 18 - Battles of Fort Wagner - South Carolina May 21-July 9 - Siege of Port Hudson - Louisiana September 18-20 - Battle of Chickamauga – Georgia November 23-25 - Battle of Chattanooga – Tennessee 1864 February 16 - Submarine H.L. Hunley Sinks USS Housatonic - South Carolina May 5-7 - Battle of the Wilderness - Virginia May 8-21 - Battle of Spotsylvania Court House - Virginia May 16 - Battle of New Market - Virginia May 31-June 12 - Battle of Cold Harbor - Virginia June 9, 1864-April 2, 1865 - Siege of Petersburg - Virginia July 24 - Second Battle of Kernstown - Virginia July 30 - Battle of the Crater - Virginia October 19 - Battle of Cedar Creek...
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...Singgam KLCP119004 1. Evaluate product innovation at Gillette throughout its history. Has Gillette been a victim of its own success? Has product innovation in the wet-shaving market come to an end? Explain. King C. Gillette has founded Gillette in 1901. It was one of the first great multinational organizations and a marvel of marketing effectiveness. Gillette has set a goal for his company: To offer consumers high-quality shaving products that would satisfy basic grooming needs at a fair price. Throughout its history Gillette has always strived to be on cutting edge of shaving technology in a market that thrives on innovation. Gillette did a great job in razor market dominance. Its innovation also expanded to other products like introducing the refillable Paper Mate pen and the Cricket disposable lighters and the Soft & Dri antiperspirant. Meanwhile Gillette's Trac II razor was a great success. The Colman Mockler era was one of the most successful in Gillette's history, producing memorable innovations as the Atra razor, the Good News! Disposable razor and the Daisy razor for women. With such product additions, Gillette held majority of the US shaving market and also 75% of the global market share. Gillette has been throughout its history a first runner in innovation. Its introduction of new products that were developed in its research laboratories helped boost sales in razor and blades, personal care and writing instrument segment. In the razor and blades segment, Gillette...
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...The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing By Al Ries and Jack Trout Summary: 1) The Law of Leadership: It is better to be first than be better 2) The Law of the Category: If you can’t be the first in a category, set up a new category that you can be first in 3) The Law of the Mind: It’s better to be first in the mind than to be first in the marketplace 4) The Law of Perception: marketing is not a battle of products, it’s a battle of perceptions 5) The Law of Focus: The most powerful concept in marketing is owning a word in the prospect’s mind 6) The Law of Exclusivity: Two companies cannot own the same word in the prospect’s mind 7) The Law of the Ladder: The strategy to use depends on which rung you occupy on the ladder 8) The Law of Duality: In the long run, every market becomes a two horse race 9) The Law of the Opposite: If you’re shooting for second place, your strategy is determined by the leader 10) The Law of Division: Over time, a category will divide and become two or more categories 11) The Law of Perspective : Marketing effects take place over an extended period of time 12) The Law of Line Extension: There’s an irresistible pressure to extend the equity of the brand 13) The Law of Sacrifice : You have to give up something in order to get something 14) The Law of Attributes :For every attribute ther is an opposite, effective attribute 15) The Law of Candor : When you admit a negative, the prospect will...
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...in India who is very friendly, in additional of that is the youtube is a very famous brand all of the world , more Indian local contents can has provided in youtube. Also the weakness of it is few local content will has achieve with more partnerships. Weakness of that is can not provide the varity languages, YouTube Indian site have all YouTube content but in English, they has try that to have introducing more english languages , the opportunity of that is the india is the has grow most quickly and has can applied in internet all over the world , youtube has occupeld the market segment, and it can also increase , this is a internet market for growth, the corporation of youtube has increase also , youtube has the plan to sell the planed advertisement and website. And it can introduce the new price to attract the taste of the person, the threat of the youtube is goes Goes in fighting in legal battle in the Indian courts against major music publishers. And YouTube may face a competition with other sites that provide more local contents. 2 the alliance of youtube which is growrh the opportunity to increase the all these local partners who can provide the site a large from use-base.from the case study , the long term of youtube llc can go to all over the world .it can conclude like the youtube with the analysis of SWOT’s strength. The copyright protection is very high , and the user are very friendly , many alliances can provide the website , and the most of the information...
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...Case Study from Chapter 7: Apple, Google, and Microsoft Battle for your Internet Experience Business 5460, Management Information Systems March 30, 2014 Dr. Mical Ramim Provide a one page summary identifying major issues The battle between global giants, Apple, Google and Microsoft, is a fight that has been occurring for many years now. All three companies have been hugely successful in different aspects of their industry. However, as our society’s technology continues to develop each company has had to make drastic changes to adapt to new and upcoming trends. As discussed in the case study, the perfect example of this necessary adaptation is a trending statistic that predicts a majority of users will begin browsing the internet on mobile devices versus the traditional PC. This probable trend has led to a lively battle of innovation as each company struggles to be number one in the consumer internet experience. Throughout this battle to the top each company has experienced their fair share of issues. Microsoft is perhaps one of the most famous and respected companies in the world. The corporation was founded April 4, 1975 by Bill Gates, an inventor known for creating one of the first user-friendly operating systems for personal computers. Over the decades the company has been a huge success, but not without its failures which often seem to be as of late. What once may have been an internet experience that was easily dominated by Microsoft technology is now saturated with...
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...BUSINESS ECONOMICS BS410 Assignment (2013/4) Three firms: Changes in their business environment Dhan Gill: K1312023 Date: 3/3/2014 Kingston University Contents Page 1. Title Page 2. Contents Page 3. Summary 4. Story 1 – Facebook buys Whatsapp http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/digital-media/10650309/Facebook-to-buy-WhatsApp-for-19bn.html By Katherine Ruston, 19 Feb 2014 6. Story 2 – Landlords win legal battle over Game http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10658451/Landlords-win-legal-battle-over-Game.html By Graham Ruddick, 24 Feb 2014 7. Story 3 – Greggs shares slide as bakery chain suffers profit hit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10662420/Greggs-shares-slide-as-bakery-chain-suffers-profit-hit.html By Graham Ruddick, 26 Feb 2014 9. Conclusion 10. References/Bibliography 11. Appendices Summary The firms that have been chosen for analysis in this report are Facebook, Game, and Greggs. Facebook, an Internet company, has a story (1) which outlines their takeover of the social media instant messaging Whatsapp. Analysis will begin with the implications of this takeover on the Internet and the companies that have a major share and majority control over the Internets marketplace. Along with this I will analyze the pros and cons of this takeover...
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...KODAK VS. FUJI: THE BATTLE FOR GLOBAL MARKET SHARE by Thomas C. Finnerty Thomas C. Finnerty is a doctoral candidate in the Doctoral of Professional Studies Program, Lubin School of Business, Pace University, New York. This case was written under the supervision of Warren J. Keegan, Professor of International Business and Marketing and Director of the Institute for Global Business Strategy, Lubin School of Business, Pace University, New York, as a basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a business situation. ©2000 Dr. Warren J. Keegan. *The following case solely represents the opinion of the author and does not express the opinions of the Eastman Kodak Company of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This case study reexamines the competitive relationship of the two giants of the photographic and imaging industry: Eastman Kodak Company and the Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. It uses the 1990 case study of Dr. H. Donald Hopkins of Temple University, “Kodak vs. Fuji: A Case of Japanese-American Strategic Intervention” as a reference point and attempts to update and clarify this relationship at the beginning of the 21st century. In the nine years since the Hopkins’ case study was published, Kodak has seen some troubled times, yet recently seems to have stabilized. Simultaneously, Fuji continues to slowly gain more of Kodak’s still-dominant market share. The evolution of the industry has been exciting and dynamic...
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...Stand: 13 Social Petworking: 13 PR: 13 Tewkesbury Dog Show ‘Battle Of The Dogs’ 14 Campaign Timing: Gannt Chart 15 Monitoring The Changes 16 Budgeting 16 Summary 17 Appendices 18 Executive Summary Located in Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury’s diverse transport links makes it easily accessible and the riverside location provides a picturesque focus for visitors. Tewkesbury is a medieval market town which has retained many of it’s historical buildings. There are numerous cultural attractions including the Abbey that dates back to 1087, Farmers markets and a Tudor style high street with many traditional shops. Transport links include national cycle paths, long distance footpaths and the town is even accessible by water as it is located at the confluence of the rivers Severn and Avon. The history of Tewkesbury provides a major focus for the local tourist industry complimented by outdoor activities close to the town in the un-spoilt Gloucestershire countryside. In 1471 Tewkesbury was the site of the most decisive battle of the War of the Roses. The battlefield is accessible from the town center with guided tours and an annual battle reenactment. There is the potential to grow the local tourism industry of the area extensively by building on the existing attractions and rich history. This marketing communications plan will utilize the traditional history of Tewkesbury to help attract the lucrative market of dog owners as tourists....
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...Rev: December 8, 2011 Sony's Battle for Video Game Supremacy John Sterman, Khan Jekarl, Cate Reavis As Sir Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony Corporation, settled in for his flight back to Japan from New York, a number of pressing issues occupied his mind about Sony’s future. At the forefront, Sony’s next generation video game console, the PlayStation 3 (PS3), was set to launch worldwide on November 17, 2006, a mere week away. Despite PlayStation 2’s (PS2) dominance in the last generation of gaming consoles, Stringer understood that past successes were no guarantee of future success in the intensely competitive game industry. Microsoft had launched the first volley in the last console war by releasing the Xbox 360 in the fall of 2005. Within one year, almost 4 million Xbox 360s had been sold worldwide, giving Microsoft a significant head-start in the race for market dominance. Meanwhile, Nintendo, a competitor thought to be dead due to the lackluster sales of its previous console, the Nintendo Gamecube, had generated significant “buzz” around its new entry, the Nintendo Wii (pronounced “we”). Targeting more of a mainstream audience than Sony and Microsoft, the Wii, scheduled to launch just two days after the PS3, posed a serious threat to Sony’s market share, particularly due to its $249.99 retail price, half the price of the PS3. Stringer also knew that there was much more at stake than winning the console war. The next generation of the DVD market was at stake as well. In addition...
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