Thesis on "Barnes and Noble Going to Australia"

Quoted Instructions for "Barnes and Noble Going to Australia" Assignment:

I need help with an introduction and I would like you guys to help me write MODULES 1,2 and 3. I need an intro for the hole paper The paper is going to be about Barnes and Noble going to Australia and then answering Modules 1,2 and 3. Use standard research format and APA.

Module 1: Identifying Global Business Opportunities

Once the country and product is selected, evaluate potential markets for feasibility as well as a look at both comparative advantage and/or absolute advantage. Further analysis such as a SWOT, for example would be a good start for a paper.

Module 2: Analyzing International Competitors

Using the 3 steps in the module, evaluate the competitive environment. This would include competitive advantage, core competence, standardization vs. customization, and is the competitive environment fragmented, consolidating? What stage of the life cycle does the INDUSTRY fit into? If you are evaluating a country rather than a firm, then what types of businesses are the oldest, the newest upstarts. What foreign investments are there already? What is the attitude toward American companies?

Module 3: Assessing the Economic/Geographic Environment

This is where you start to really get to the *****meat***** of your investigation. By now you should have a country in mind AND a product or service in mind. As you evaluate the economy and natural resources, do so with your product or service in mind. Do you need waterways and shipping docks? Do you need telecommunications? How stable is the economy? Is your product/service purchased with discretionary income or disposable income? What is the GDP/capita in US dollars? Compare it to the US GDP/per capita.

DONE!

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Module 4: Assessing the Souci-Cultural Environment

Using the 4 categories in this module, paint the cultural picture. You may want to look at future trends and predictions. In the US for example, we have the aging babyboomers. The largest segment of the US population was born between 1946-1964. Beginning on Jan. 1, 1996, the first of the baby boomers started turning 50. This segment will have 2500 people turn 50 every day (365 days) every year for the next 10 years. Starting in 2006, those same people will start turning 60. By 2014, the largest segment of the US population will be 50 *****“ 70 years of age. The same thing is happening in Japan. What are the implications of that kind of cultural influence? Look at those kinds of statistics as well.

Module 5: Assessing the Political Legal Environment

There are 4 areas here to consider which will either inhibit or facilitate your expansion. Identify the obstacles and opportunities within your country and how you might be successful.

Module 6: Selecting a Global Company Structure

Use the 4 key steps to determine the Action Plan at the bottom. Primarily, this will be your Operational Recommendation for how to gain entry and what structure will be the best. Support your decision. On the other hand, you can list pros and cons to each alternative. Based on that analysis to capitalize on the strengths and opportunities as well as the benefits, minimizing risks, what is the best course of action?

Module 7: Financing Sources for Global Business Operations

Ok*****¦ this is the section for *****Show me the money!*****

Module 8: Creating a Global MIS (Management Information System)

On Step #4: The Action Plan is your best summary in this section as what you will need.

Module 9: Identifying Human Resources for Global Business Activities

The primary focus here is Step #1. Determine the method and make a case as to why it is the best method. From there, discuss items such as average wages in the country, compare that to US wages for the same job and determine what additional compensation will be necessary for your expatriates.

Module 10: Managing International Financial and Business Risks

You should have most of the necessary research for this section already. What is necessary here is to EVALUATE the information in terms of impediments, obstacles, risks, loss, etc. and how to mitigate them. For example, in a strategic alliance how might you ensure the safeguard of any proprietary information so that the alliance cannot become a direct competitor?

Module 11: Product Target Market Planning for Foreign Markets

In this section, you will discuss the benefits and features of your product in a way that should appeal to a group of potential REPEAT buyers. The key to successful business is having REPEAT buyers. That is who your target market will be generally. A group of people with identifiable characteristics with similar needs who have the ability, authority, and desire to buy or use what you have. What features and benefits does your product or service have that will appeal to the group you have identified?

Module 12: Designing a Global Distribution Strategy

Distribution IS transportation. How does the product or service get to the consumer? Do you need a good infrastructure (roads, waterways, railroads), or good telecommunication equipment (telephones, servers, computers, fax), or refrigeration or electricity? You should have enough information gathered to evaluate what is feasible what might present obstacles to delivery.

Module 13: Planning a Global Promotion Strategy

Promotion IS communication. How do you plan to communicate your product/service? What is available to you? If you rely on TV advertising, for example, what percentage of households have TVs in the home. How much is government a controlling factor in advertising? What are the preferred method people in your country get the news? Newspaper, TV, radio. Would it work to use a sales force?

Module 14: Selecting an International Pricing Strategy

Competitors, cost, and demand are the primary determinants to price. Cost is related to the economy. Competitors reflect the pricing based on standard of living and to a certain extent the demand. Be sure to review your economics and know whether your product or service has an elastic demand or an inelastic demand concerning price.

Module 15: Determining Organizational Financial Results

This is partly a review from Module 7. However, the best approach would be to see if you could develop a pro forma income statement. Even if you are estimating the numbers, see if you can create an Income Statement that will indicate your costs, revenue and profit.

Module 16: Measuring International Business Success

Measuring success IS a cost/benefit analysis. Look at costs and benefits financially, socially, and politically. You can even add an environmental cost/benefit component. Does you business plan provide more benefits than costs in all those areas? If yes, then your plan is a *****go***** decision. If on balance, it costs more than it benefits (financially, socially, environmentally, politically), then your decision would be *****no-go.*****