Youtube, Google, B2c, Hilton and Colgate - Case Study

Case Write-ups - YouTube, Google, B2C, Hilton and Colgate

Objective: Identify, comprehend and apply typical E-Commerce business models to contemporary business cases.

Groups: Students will be assigned to groups to write the Rhapsody and Hilton cases. Alternatively, students can work alone. In any case, papers should list the individuals who actively participated in writing up the case.

Format

3 pages maximum double spaced (may have additional appendix for graphs or spreadsheets) - Make sure you carefully follow the organization shown below. Be sure to have one member of the group submit this to the assignment area of BlackBoard with the names of all participants on the paper.

Organization

YouTube, Google and Colgate- Simply answer the questions at the end of each case.

Rhapsody: After reading the case, address the following questions:

1. Apply the Porter Competitive forces model to this case. How powerful are the various forces (customer, supplier, new entrant, etc.)?

2. Given the competitive forces you have identified, develop 2-5 alternative strategic approaches that Rhapsody could take that respond to these forces.

3. Which of these alternatives do you recommend?

4. When and how would you implement your recommendation?

The Porter Competitive model focuses on the competitive forces that effect a companies operation. It uses concepts developed in Industrial Organization Economics to derive five forces which determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of a market (en.wikipedia.org). Attractiveness in the context of the Porter Competitive model refers to the overall industry profitability. An "unattractive" industry is described as an industry where the combination of forces acts to drive down overall profitability. A very unattractive industry would be one approaching "pure competition" (en.wikipedia.org).

When Applying the Porter Competitive Model to a 2005 Harvard Business Review article regarding RealNetworks Rhapsody, the effect of competitive forces is clear and significant.

Of the five competitive forces described by the Porter Competitive Business Model, all of the forces play a significant role. At the beginning of the case study, the threat of new competitors was acknowledged RealNetwork management team. RealNetwork sells an online subscription music service. There service was initially integrated into PC products creating a significant opportunity for revenue. The RealNetwork operated as the dominate PC media system for years. This made the subscription