Running Head: GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLANNING Global Strategic Planning for Lottafizz Corporation Amanda Baker Bellevue University 1 GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLANNING 2 Abstract As Lottafizz Coporation considers becoming a global organization, there are many factors that require deep deliberation. From determining which globalization strategy – international, multinational, or global – best serves the company to determining how it will balance management of international geographies, Lottafizz will need to deploy a strategy that ensures it operations are fully effective and compliant with geographical culture and regulations. As a strategic planning consultant helping Lottafizz determine the feasibility of globalization, it will be imperative to first help the company understand globalization and the complexities involved. The following report will provide an in-depth overview of globalization and the steps required to ensure an effective global strategy implementation. GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLANNING 3 Global Strategic Planning for Lottafizz Corporation As Lottafizz Corp. explores the feasibility of an expansion, it is necessary to provide them with an in-depth look at the facets of a global strategy to help them better understand each facet – global, multinational, and international. Equipped with this understanding, they would then be introduced to the importance of a global strategy as it relative to the company. As a strategic planning consultant, I would begin by explaining global, multinational, and international strategy sharing the following: Global strategy focuses on a full-scale globalization strategy where the strategy focuses on one market meaning the marketing message is the same regardless of the geography. A multinational focuses on multiple markets in addition to the home market and each market has a strategy that is focused specifically on that geography. In an international market, the company focuses primarily on its domestic market but an international strategy is required to meet the objectives of the international market that the domestic company also operates. In either facet of global marketing, the key component is competitive advantage where global strategies focus on the broader, global basis; multinational strategies focus on a country by country competitive advantage; and an international strategy focuses on competitive advantage related to the domestic country (Lynch, n.d.). A global strategy is important to Lottafizz Corp because they will need to determine what type of expansion makes the most sense strategically for the company and is dependent on the objectives of Lottafizz. Are they expanding primarily to increase sales and profit? Are they considering a better experience for the customer such as GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLANNING 4 lowered prices or better service? Perhaps the company would like to help improve world trade relations as a means of improving international negotiations. Lottafizz needs to consider the motive for expansion – what is driving the expansion: cost, customers, competition, or government (QuickMBA.com). By identifying the motive, the company can then begin determining the best globalization option. Once they have determined the reasons for globalization and the ideal globalization strategy, they will need to begin building the global strategy. There are key steps that need to be taken in order to ensure that the globalization plan is effectively rolled out. Like the business planning process, the globalization plan follows a methodical approach, as outlined in Richard Lynch’s Global Strategy, including analysis of the market, identifying competitive and other resources, identifying the company’s resources for international expansion, defining global objectives determining method of entry and selection of country and geographical region, developing specific service/product offering, and managing the business internationally. These steps are explored in detail below: Analysis of the market – this critical step identifies markets where Lottafizz has a presence but lacks a global strategy. Identifying competitive and other resources - Lottafizz will want to determine what resources they have that will offer a competitive advantage in their global expansion Defining global objectives – this step should be taken after identifying competitive resources as the defining of global objective need to be built around the previous GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLANNING 5 step. The company needs to be able to tie in resources and existing opportunities into the global objectives. Determining method of entry and selection of country and geographical region – after performing due diligence, the company can then begin determining geographies that offer the greatest opportunity to meet the company’s objectives. Developing specific service/product offering – It is here that the company will determine product, pricing, and distribution as it relates to the global objectives. For instance, Lottafizz will not want to sell fruit-flavored alcoholic beverages if it is aware that the expansion area does not fare well in the mixed alcoholic beverages market. Managing the business internationally – focus is placed on ensuring that the business operates smoothly and in compliance with the practices and techniques unique to managing a global location. Lottafizz Corp needs to be aware of the cost and benefits as well as disadvantages that are associated with a globalization strategy. Being able to weigh the pros and cons of globalization will also help the company determine if an expansion is viable. Costs and benefits of globalization are great and include a significant contribution to a global economy meaning there is an opportunity for efficiency. Goods can be produced in a country where it is most efficient to produce that product. For example, it may be easier for Lottafizz to produce cans for its drinks in China, while syrup can be produced more efficiently in the United States. Globalization drives pricing and competition often resulting in lower pricing for consumers. Also, globalization can offer a GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLANNING 6 larger customer base, and of direct importance to Lottafizz, enables the company to increase profits while, again, contributing to the global economy by producing jobs positively impacting employment rates. Some of the disadvantages include greater competition for underdeveloped companies further deceasing their already stifled competitive advantage. Another disadvantage is that domestic employees may be at risk of losing jobs if the company relocates operations to another country which impacts the domestic economy (Economicsonline). With regard to companies balancing local and global strategies, Lottafizz Corp should understand that the local and global strategies need to be managed in a way that will not be disrupting to the business, therefore, there needs to be a balance between the two in order to offset disruptions. As Richard Lynch shares in Global Strategy, balance can be dependent on product category and the ability to adapt company specifications to local markets. An example of this would be adapting a company policy within a geography while ensuring that the policy is in compliance with local laws and regulations. A value proposition is important for any organization and Lottafizz is no different. As they consider globalization, they will need to determine whether they will need to adapt their value proposition to fit their global strategy. The research and analysis required for globalization should yield the answer to this question as the company will have determined if the same processes used domestically will work globally. Because of culture and laws, what works in one geography will likely not work in another, therefore, the value proposition does need to be adapted to fit the cultural and legal differences. GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLANNING 7 Examples for why it is important to adapt the value proposition include buyer preferences, amount of purchasing power the market has, and even product size as cited in Globalizing the Value Proposition (2010). After careful consideration, I would recommend adapting a multinational strategy. In thinking competitively, Lottafizz Corp, should realize the success of its competitors in multinational markets. With proper research of its competitors, Lottafizz Corp’s decision to expand multinationally will allow them to gain a larger market share. A company’s decision to globalize is very complex and requires much consideration and planning. From analyzing its market and identifying resources to building a solid strategy and managing each geography with the right balance, if done correctly, Lottafizz has the opportunity to increase market share while contributing directly to global economic growth. GLOBAL STRATEGIC PLANNING 8 References Economicsonline.co.uk. (n.d.). Globalisation. Retrieved from http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/global_economics/globalisation_introduction.html English-online.at. (n.d). Globalization | Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization | G8 countries. Retrieved 31 March 2015, from http://www.englishonline.at/economy/globalization/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-globalization.htm Globalizing the value proposition. (2010). In Strategic management: Fundamentals of global strategy: A business model approach. New York, NY: Business Expert Press. Retrieved from http://search.credoreference.com.ezproxy.bellevue.edu/content/entry/bepsmfund/glo balizing_the_value_proposition/0 Lynch, R. (n.d.). What is global strategy? and why is it important? Retrieved from http://www.global-strategy.net/what-is-global-strategy/ Quickmba.com,. (2015). Global strategy. Retrieved from http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/global/