Chapter 1: Introduction: Chapter 3: Company Profile: Coca - Cola LTD
Chapter 1: Introduction: Chapter 3: Company Profile: Coca - Cola LTD
Chapter 1: Introduction: Chapter 3: Company Profile: Coca - Cola LTD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION
1. 2. 3. 4. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................2 OBJ OF THE STUDY.2 IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.3 CHAPTER 2 : CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE TOPIC 5. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT.4 CHAPTER 3 : COMPANY PROFILE : COCA COLA LTD 6. COCA COLA COMPANY OVERVIEW.10 7. GLOBAL CHALLENGES IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN COCA COLA..18 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS 8. FINDINGS.34 9. CONCLUSION36 10. BIBLIOGRAPHY...37
Executive Summary
A global perspective is a matter of survival for businesses. Strategic management is the process of specifying an organization's objectives, developing policies and plans to achieve these objectives, and allocating resources so as to implement the plans. The Coca-Cola Company (Coca-Cola) is a leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of Non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, in the world. The company owns or licenses more than 400 brands, including diet and light beverages, waters, juice and juice drinks, teas, coffees, and energy and sports drinks. The company operates in more than 200 countries. Coca-Cola Enterprises is the world's largest marketer, producer and distributor of Coca-Cola products. It operates in 46 U.S. states and Canada, and is the exclusive Coca-Cola bottler for all of Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco and the Netherlands. CocaCola is the non alcoholic bottled beverages.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
I have examine secondary data of which related to the Strategic Management Issues at the global based Market. Data are collected on various issues from annual report of Coca-Cola Company (2005-2009). In our report we analysis the monthly, quarterly, half-yearly news Review of this company. Based upon this data we like to analysis the Economic Review, Statistical Strategic condition of the Coca-Cola Company. Both the official and regional website helps us to find out more related to the issues with the global market. Form those huge data we take the necessary and used them for the analysis. Our analysis data are clearly represented in our main part of the report through relevant chart, graph with proper description.
To Makes discipline
To make control
multiple counties. In both cases, the firms strategic planners must answer the sam e fundamental questions What products and/or services does the firm intend to sell? Where and how will to make those products or services? Where and how will it sell them? Where and how will it acquire the necessary resources? How does it expect to outperform its competitors? But developing an international strategy is far more complex than developing a domestic one. Because managers developing a strategy for a domestic firm must deal with one national government, one currency, one accounting system, one political and legal system and usually a single language and a comparatively homogeneous culture. But managers responsible for developing a strategy for an international firm must understand and deal with multiple governments, multiple currencies, multiple political and legal system, and variety of language and cultures.
can be internal attitude of an organization. They provide a sense of direction and are active in implementation. Role of Senior Management: They are answerable to B.O. Directors and The C.E.O as they would look after Strategic Management a responsible of certain areas / parts of terms. Role of SBU Level Executives: They Co-ordinate with other SBUs & with Senior Management. They are more focused on their product / burners line. They are more on the implementation role. Role of Corporate Planning Staff: It provides administrative support tools and techniques and is a Co-ordinate function. Role of Consultant: Often Consultants may be hired for a specified new business or Expertise even to get an unbiased opinion on the business & the Strategy. Role of Middle Level Managers: They form an important link in strategizing & Implementation. They are not actively involved in formulation of Strategies and they are developed to be the future management.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Coca-Cola Company (Coca-Cola) is a leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of Non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, in the world. The company owns or licenses more than 400 brands, including diet and light beverages, waters, juice and juice drinks, teas, coffees, and energy and sports drinks. The company operates in more than 200 countries. Approximately 74% of its products are sold outside of the US. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and employs 71,000 people as of September 2006.The company recorded revenues of $24,088 million during the fiscal year ended December 2006, an increase of 4.3% over 2005. The increase in revenue was primarily due to increase in sales of Unit cases of companys products from approximately 20.6 billion unit cases of the companys Products in 2005 to approximately 21.4 billion unit cases in 2006, the increase in the Price and Product/geographic mix also boosted the revenue growth. The company-wide gallon sales and unit case volume both grew 4% in 2006 when compared to 2005. The operating profit of the company was $6,308 million during fiscal year 2006, an increase of 3.7% over 2005. The net profit was $5,080 million in fiscal year 2006, an increase of 4.3% over 2005. HISTORY OF COCA-COLA Coca-Cola was first introduced by John Smyth Pemberton, a pharmacist, in the year 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia when he invented caramel-colored syrup in a three-legged brass kettle in his backyard. He first distributed the product by carrying it in a jug down the street to Jacobs Pharmacy and customers bought the drink for five cents at the soda fountain. Carbonated water was teamed with the new syrup, whether by
accident or otherwise, producing a drink that was proclaimed delicious and refreshing, a theme that continues to echo today wherever Coca-Cola is enjoyed. Dr. Pembertons partner and book-keeper, Frank M. Robinson, suggested the name and penned Coca-Cola in the unique flowing script that is famous worldwide even today. He suggested that the two Cs would look well in advertising. The first newspaper ad for Coca-Cola soon appeared in The Atlanta Journal, inviting thirsty citizens to try the new and popular soda fountain drink. Hand -painted oil cloth signs reading Coca-Cola appeared on store awnings, with the suggestions Drink added to inform passersby that the new beverage was for soda fountain refreshment. By the year 1886, sales of Coca-Cola averaged nine drinks per day. The first year, Dr. Pemberton sold 25 gallons of syrup, shipped in bright red wooden kegs. Red has been a distinctive color associated with the soft drink ever since. For his efforts, Dr. Pemberton grossed $50 and spent $73.96 on advertising. Dr. Pemberton never realized the potential of the beverage he created. He gradually sold portions of his business to various partners and, just prior to his death in 1888, sold his remaining interest in Coca-Cola to Asa G. Candler, an entrepreneur from Atlanta. By the year 1891, Mr. Candler proceeded to buy additional rights and acquire complete ownership and control of the Coca-Cola business. Within four years, his merchandising flair had helped expand consumption of Coca-Cola to every state and territory after which he liquidated his pharmaceutical business and focused his full attention on the soft drink. With his brother, John S. Candler, John Pembertons former partner Frank Robinson and two other associates, Mr. Candler formed a Georgia corporation named the Coca-Cola Company. The trademark Coca-Cola, used in the marketplace since 1886, was registered in the United States Patent Office on January 31, 1893. The business continued to grow, and in 1894, the first syrup manufacturing plant outside Atlanta was opened in Dallas, Texas. Others were opened in Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California, the following year. In 1895, three years after The CocaCola Companys incorporation, Mr. Candler announced in his annual report to share owners that Coca-Cola is now drunk in every state and territory in the United States.
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As demand for Coca-Cola increased, the Company quickly outgrew its facilities. A new building erected in 1898 was the first headquarters building devoted exclusively to the production of syrup and the management of the business. In the year 1919, the Coca-Cola Company was sold to a group of investors for $25 million. Robert W. Woodruff became the President of the Company in the year 1923 and his more than sixty years of leadership took the business to unsurpassed heights of commercial success, making Coca-Cola one of the most recognized and valued brands around the world.
HISTORY OF BOTTLING Coca-Cola originated as a soda fountain beverage in 1886 selling for five cents a glass. Early growth was impressive, but it was only when a strong bottling system developed that Coca-Cola became the world-famous brand it is today. Year 1894: A modest start for a bold idea In 1894 the Coca-Cola Company is in a candy store in Vicksburg, Mississippi, brisk sales of the new fountain beverage called Coca-Cola impressed the store's owner, Joseph A. Biedenharn. He began bottling Coca-Cola to sell, using a common glass bottle called a Hutchinson. Biedenharn sent a case to Asa Griggs Candler, who owned the Company. Candler thanked him but took no action. One of his nephews already had urged that Coca-Cola be bottled, but Candler focused on fountain sales. In 21st century the Coca-Cola bottling system grew up with roots deeply planted in local communities. This heritage serves the Company well today as consumers seek brands that honor local identity and the distinctiveness of local markets. As was true a century ago, strong locally based relationships between Coca-Cola bottlers, customers and communities are the foundation on which the entire business grows.
QUALITY POLICY
Coca-Cola Company follows different quality standard for different countries across the globe. Coca-Cola Company has a long-standing commitment to protecting the consumers whose trust and confidence in its products is the bedrock of its success. In order to ensure that consumers stay informed about the global quality of all CocaCola products sold in World, Coca-Cola products carry a quality assurance seal on them. The One Quality Worldwide assurance seal appears on the entire range of Coca-Cola Companys beverages.
BRANDS OF COCA-COLA
Coca-Cola Zero has been one of the most successful product launch hes in Coca-Colas history. In 2007, Coca Colas sold nearly 450 million cases globally. Put into perspective, that's roughly the same size as Coca Colas total business in the Philippines, one of our top 15 markets. As of September 2008, Coca-Cola Zero is available in more than 100 countries.
Energy Drinks For those with a high-intensity approach to life, Coca Colas brands of Energy Drinks contain ingredients such as ginseng extract, guarana extract, and caffeine and B vitamins. Juices/Juice Drinks We bring innovation to the goodness of juice in Coca Colas more than 20 juice and juice drink brands, offering both adults and children nutritious, refreshing and flavorful beverages Soft Drinks Coca Colas dozens of soft drink brands provide flavor and refreshment in a variety of choices. From the original Coca-Cola to most recent introductions, soft drinks from The Coca-Cola Company are both icons and innovators in the beverage industry.
Sports Drinks Carbohydrates, fluids, and electrolytes team together in Coca Colas Sports Drinks, providing rapid hydration and terrific taste for fitness-seekers at any level Tea and Coffee Bottled and canned teas and coffees provide consumers' favorite drinks in convenient take-anywhere packaging, satisfying both traditional tea drinkers and today's growing coffee culture.
Water Smooth and essential, our Waters and Water Beverages offer hydration in its purest form.
Other Drinks So much more than soft drinks, Coca Colas brands also include milk products, soup, and more so you can choose a Coca Cola Company product anytime, anywhere for nutrition, refreshment or other needs.
Language Culture
a Use the local language required in many situations Quite diverse, both between countries and within countries Often volatile and of decisive importance Wide variations among countries and among regions within countries
Relatively homogenous
Unstable Underdeveloped
Skilled labors are not Skilled labors often scarce, requiring available training or redesign of production methods Moderately developed Often poorly developed financial markets; financial markets capital flows subject to government control Data collect is not very Sometimes data difficult and expensive to easy collect Media are available Media limited; many restrictions; low with some restrictions literacy rates rule out print media in some countries Must change from one currency to another It is not developed Always a problem Often adequate A worse problem
Advertising
Collective bargaining, Layoff of workers often not possible; may layoff of workers have mandatory worker participation in management; workers may seek change through political process rather than collective bargaining
Language
Culture
Politics
Economy
Government
Labor
Financing
Market
Money
Control
Advertising
Contracts
Labor Relations
There are some factors which affect strategic of Coca-Cola Company in case of international operation. Language is one of the main considerations when it does business domestically, they generally domestic language. But when it does business outside the country it follows Polycentric policy that is it used different language in different countries. Side by side culture is relatively homogeneous in domestic operation and quite diverse, both between countries and within countries. Political stability and policy also be considered by the Coca-Cola Company. Control function is done by centrally in case of domestically but when it goes beyond outside, it must work a tightrope between over centralizing and losing control to much decentralizing. Labor is another consideration because their skills and collective bargaining that is labor relation differ from country to country. Advertising in domestic country is very easy because domestic cultures are known to them. But in case of international operation it faces many problems for advertising such as shortage of media, huge advertising cost and so forth. However economy is relatively uniform in domestics country but outsides, it faces wide variation among countries and among region within country. In case of Coco-Cola Company the market research data is easy to collect but when it goes to foreign sometimes face
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difficult and expensive to collect data. At last we see that government interference in case of domestically, it is minimal and reasonably predictable but in international operation it is often expensive and subject to rapid change. Strategic Alternatives of Multinational Companies Multinationals corporations typically adopt one of four strategic alternatives in their attempt to balance the three goals of global efficiencies, multinational flexibility, and worldwide learning. There four strategies are as follows Home Replication Strategy In this strategy, a firm utilizes the core competency or firm-specific advantage it developed at home as its main competitive weapon in the foreign markets that it enters. That is, it takes what it does exceptionally well in its home market and attempts to duplicate it in foreign markets. Multi-domestic Strategy It is the second alternative available to international firm. A multi-domestic corporation views itself as a collection of relatively independent operating subsidiaries, each of which focuses on a specific domestic market. Global Strategy It is the third alternative available for international firms. A global corporations views the world as a single marketplace and has as its primary goal the creation of standardized goods and services that will address the needs of customers worldwide. Transnational Strategy The transnational corporation attempts to combine the benefits of global scale efficiencies with the benefits of local responsiveness.
From these four strategies Coca-Cola Company follow the Multi-domestic strategies. They produce their products independently in different countries. All countries product are not same. They produce their products by following different strategy for different countries, based on the internal and external environment of the country. Coca-Cola Company developed their strategy by considering the nature of the people of different countys people, culture, status and so many other related factors. Behind the reasons of following of this strategy may be that, different countries economies of scale for production, distribution, and marketing are low, side by side cost of coordination between the parent corporation and its various foreign subsidiaries is high. Because each subsidiary in a multi-domestic corporation must be responsive to the local market, the parent company usually delegates considerable power and authority to managers of its subsidiaries in various host countries.
Levels of Strategies followed by Coca-Cola Company There are three levels of strategies followed by Coca-Cola Company. This may be stated as the following
Marketing Strategies
System Strategies
Financial Strategies
R&D Strategies
Business Unit Level Strategy A strategic business unit may be a division, product line, or other profit center that can be planned independently from the other business units of the firm. Corporate strategy deals with the overall where as business strategy focuses on specific business, subsidiaries or operating units within the firm. Business seeks to answer the question how should we compete in each market we have chosen to enter? The firms develop unique business strategy for each of its strategic business units, or it may pursue the same business strategy for all of them. The three basic business strategy are differentiation, overall cost leadership and focus. Coca-Cola Company uses the differentiation strategy effectively. Functional Level Strategy The functional strategies attempts to answer to question How we manage the function? The functional level of the organization is the level of the operating divisions and departments. The strategic issues at the functional level are related to business processes and the value chain. Functional level strategies in marketing, finance, operations, human resources, and R&D involve the development and coordination of resources through which business unit level strategies can be executed efficiently and effectively. Functional units of an organization are involved in higher level strategies by providing input into the business unit level and corporate level strategy, such as providing information on resources and capabilities on which the higher level strategies can be based. Once the higher-level strategy is developed, the functional units translate it into discrete action-plans that each department or division must accomplish for the strategy to succeed.
Good points of Coca-Cola Company Brand Promotion Attractive products selection Look and feel 8 Provision of multimedia product, catalogue pages Personal attention Community relationships
Weak points of Coca-Cola Company Performance and service: that is not easy navigation, shopping and purchasing, and prompt shipping and delivery. Discount pricing is not being offered.
the next management strategies. Depending on the scope and opportunity the company will go forward as well as try to resolve the weakness and threats. After entering into a new market Coca-Cola Company try to achieve strategic goals and guide its daily activities with proper observation. Lastly this company establishes a control framework for controlling the managerial and organizational systems and process as well. This company believes that, for taking a position in a new country is fully depends on the good formulation strategies and keeping it. To do business outside the local market is depending on the quality control of the product and quality ensures the customer perception and the choice for consuming this products.
Through this model, we see that the company is first take the response of customers and consumers through market survey. Then the management accumulates the best quality resources for making their products. This process includes Skilled employee involvement for production and quality control High quality materials for production Up to date technology for quality control Effective methods and newly developed strategies
They will follow some sequential steps in developing the international strategy formulation. Those steps help the Coca-Cola Company to enter and establish their business in multinational base. They are following multi-domestic strategies for their produced product as well as their marketing system. The analysis of different levels of strategic formulating of Coca-Cola Company is given below. Developing the Mission Statement Coca-Cola Company begins the international strategic planning process by creating a mission statement, which clarifies the organizations purpose, value, and directions. The mission statement is often used as a way of communicating with internal and external constituents and stakeholders about the firms strategic direction. Mission statement of Coca-Cola Company This company focused on driving growth in of their business in selected profitable and emerging categories. To develop, implement and continuously improve the integrated management systems in a culture of continuous improvement which: Directs the continual up-gradation for efficient and environment friendly manufacturing technology. Monitor and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of all business processes. Promotes professional and flexible work environment, teamwork and innovation through employee participation and process ownership. Drives customer orientation at all levels within the organization. Monitor and economize the Cost of Quality. Comments on mission Statements (In terms of how they support the strategies)
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The vision statement of this company supports the existing strategies that are (generic strategy) that Coca Cola needs to pursue is that of differentiation. In their current vision and mission statements, the company says it aims to be a low cost leader, yet through their analysis of the strategic direction, the company needs to adopt a generic strategy of differentiation. This will allow Coca cola to do two things; 1. Increase unit sales 2. Gain buyer loyalty However, at the expense of sounding simplistic, it is necessary that the company communicate its differentiation to its customers, otherwise these two advantages will not avail themselves. Initially Coca cola will need to adopt a focused differentiation approach, which means that they should selectively choose which markets will profit them the most and then target only those markets until such provisions are in place from where the company is able to expand its target base. After which they should opt for a broad differentiation generic strategy. COCA-COLA COMPANY, THE SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT ANALYSIS The Coca-Cola Company (Coca-Cola) is a leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of Non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, in the world. CocaCola has a strong brand name and brand portfolio. Business-Week and Inter brand, a branding consultancy, recognize Coca-Cola as one of the leading brands in their top 100 global brands ranking in 2008. The Business Week-Interbred valued Coca-Cola at $67,000 million in 2008. Coca-Cola ranks well ahead of its close competitor Pepsi which has a ranking of 22 having a brand value of $12,690 million The Companys strong brand value facilitates customer recall and allows Coca-Cola to penetrate markets. However, the company is threatened by intense competition which could have an adverse impact on the companys market share.
Analyzing the primary competitor and identifying their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT Analysis) help determine target markets, marketing plan, and customer service, sales forecasting and sales planning. Examining the following will assist in the competitive analysis: Identify the level of rivalry among competing sellers in the industry Review strategies of companies to encourage customers to switch from a competitor Analyze ease of entry for new competitors Determine bargaining power for suppliers of key materials and components Determine bargaining power for buyers of the product SWOT Analysis represents the analysis of the following four things STRENGTHS Distribution network: The Company has a strong and reliable distribution network. The network is formed on the basis of the time of consumption and the amount of sales yielded by a particular customer in one transaction. It has a distribution network consisting of a number of efficient salesmen, 700,000 retail outlets and 8000 distributors. The distribution fleet includes different modes of
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distribution, from 10-tonne trucks to open-bay three wheelers that can navigate through narrow alleyways of Indian cities and trademarked tricycles and pushcarts. Strong Brands: The products produced and marketed by the Company have a strong brand image. People all around the world recognize the brands marketed by the Company. Strong brand names like Coca-Cola, Fanta, Limca, and Maaza add up to the brand name of the Coca-Cola Company as a whole. The red and white Coca-Cola is one of the very few things that are recognized by people all over the world. CocaCola has been named the world's top brand for a fourth consecutive year in a survey by consultancy Inter brand. It was estimated that the Coca-Cola brand was worth $70.45billion. Low Cost of Operations: The production, marketing and distribution systems are very efficient due to forward planning and maintenance of consistency of operations which minimizes wastage of both time and resources leads to lowering of costs.
WEAKNESSES
Low Export Levels: The brands produced by the company are brands produced worldwide thereby making the export levels very low. In India, there exists a major controversy concerning pesticides and other harmful chemicals in bottled products including Coca-Cola. Small Scale Sector Reservations Limit Ability To Invest And Achieve Economies Of Scale: The Companys operations are carried out on a small scale and due to Government restrictions and red-tapism, the Company finds it very difficult to invest in technological advancements and achieve economies of scale.
OPPORTUNITIES
Large Domestic Markets: The domestic market for the products of the Company is very high as compared to any other soft drink manufacturer. Coca-Cola India claims a 58 per cent share of the soft drinks market; this includes a 42 per cent share of the
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cola market. Other products account for 16 per cent market share, chiefly led by Limca. The company appointed 50,000 new outlets in the first two months of this year, as part of its plans to cover one lakh outlets for the coming summer season and this also covered 3,500 new villages. In Bangalore, Coca-Cola amounts for 74% of the beverage market. Export Potential: The Company can come up with new products which are not manufactured abroad, like Maaza etc and export them to foreign nations. It can come up with strategies to eliminate apprehension from the minds of the people towards the Coke products produced in India so that there will be a considerable amount of exports and it is yet another opportunity to broaden future prospects and cater to the global markets rather than just domestic market. Higher Income among People: Development of India as a whole has lead to an increase in the per capita income thereby causing an increase in disposable income. Unlike olden times, people now have the power of buying goods of their choice without having to worry much about the flow of their income. The beverage industry can take advantage of such a situation and enhance their sales.
THREATS
Imports: For example: As India is developing at a fast pace, the per capita income has increased over the years and a majority of the people is educated, the export levels have gone high. People understand trade to a large extent and the demand for foreign goods has increased over the years. If consumers shift onto imported beverages rather than have beverages manufactured within the country, it could pose a threat to the Indian beverage industry as a whole in turn affecting the sales of the Company. Tax and Regulatory Sector: The tax system in India is accompanied by a variety of regulations at each stage on the consequence from production to consumption. When a license is issued, the production capacity is mentioned on the license and every time the production capacity needs to be increased, the license poses a problem. Renewing or updating a license every now and then is difficult. Therefore, this can limit the growth of the Company and pose problems.
Slowdown In Rural Demand: The rural market may be alluring but it is not without its problems: Low per capita disposable incomes that is half the urban disposable income; large number of daily wage earners, acute dependence on the vagaries of the monsoon; seasonal consumption linked to harvests and festivals and special occasions; poor roads; power problems; and inaccessibility to conventional advertising media. All these problems might lead to a slowdown in the demand for the companys products.
Findings
By preparing this report about the strategic management issues of multinational companies (MNCS), the case study on the Coca-Cola Company, we get some important things. These findings are as follows Coca-Cola Enterprises is the world's largest marketer, producer and distributor of Coca-Cola products. Coca-Cola was first introduced by John Smyth Pemberton, a pharmacist, in the year 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia when he invented caramel-colored syrup in a three-legged brass kettle in his backyard. It operates in 46 U.S. states and Canada, and is the exclusive Coca-Cola bottler for all of Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco and the Netherlands. Coca-Cola is the non alcoholic bottled beverages. The company owns or licenses more than 400 brands, including diet and light beverages, waters, juice and juice drinks, teas, coffees, and energy and sports drinks. The company operates in more than 200 countries Strategic management integrates the knowledge and experience gained in various functional areas. 3 Major Criteria in decision Making are---the concept of Maximization, the concept of satisfying, the concept of instrumentalism. The vision of Coca-Cola Company is to refresh the world in body, mind and spirit Bringing to the world a portfolio of quality beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy people's desires and needs. Coca-Cola Zero has been one of the most successful product launch hes in Coca-Colas history It has soft drinks, energy drinks, juice drinks, sports drinks, tea and coffee, water and other drinks. Coca-Cola Company follows the multi-domestic strategy for operating their business.
After entering into a new market Coca-Cola Company try to achieve strategic goals and guide its daily activities with proper observation. Good points of Coca-Cola Company are brand promotion, alternative products selections, Provision of multimedia product, catalogue pages and so on.
CONCLUSION
Being in such a tense competition (just like the brand Coca-Cola), Coca-Cola should not take the direct and tough attack upon it. There is no good to either side. The best way is to keep a peaceful relationship with it and always compare with others; we should find their disadvantages and show our advantages on this aspect. Then by and by, the people would think ours is betted Of course the most important rule is to improve ourselves to meet the consumers. An organizations strategic thinking is governed by the situation prevalent in its external environment. The external environment comprises of the strategic moves adopted by the organizations competitors. The organization has to carefully study these moves and accordingly devise strategies to gain competitive advantage. For the same, the organization needs to conduct an industry and competitive analysis. The paper discusses the steps and processes involved in the same. In formulating business strategy, managers must consider the strategies of the firm's competitors. While in highly fragmented commodity industries the moves of any single competitor may be less important, in concentrated industries competitor analysis becomes a vital part of strategic planning.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cooper, R. D., Schindler, S. P. (2001), International Business Research Method Seventh Edition. Gerard Prendergast and Leyland Pitt (2007) International Journal of Strate gic Management: a World Issue. James Prendergast and Eammon Murphy and Malcom Stephenson (1996) International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management. www.coke/homeContent.asp.htm www. Google.com