In this activity, you will research the New Balance Company and write an essay
based on the concepts learned this week. Your essay should be double-spaced, at least 250 words and adhere to APA guidelines. Ensure you have a cover page, introduction, body, and conclusion for your essay
Visit the New Balance website: www.newbalance.com
and review the company’s information.
Answer the following questions in an essay format below.
1. From your assessment of New Balance, identify and describe in detail at least one of Porter’s generic competitive strategies New Balance has been using. From your evaluation, what are some of your recommendations for New Balance to be more competitive in a global market?
2. Assess New Balance’s opportunities and threats; provide a plan for implementing at least two opportunity strategies and addressing two current threats you’ve identified. Explain how those opportunities and threat strategies will positively affect New Balance’s business operations.
Note on Academic Integrity
For all essay activities, upon submission, your assignment will automatically be evaluated through Turnitin, a plagiarism detection tool. Your paper will be checked against a database of millions of written works and provide feedback on originality. You may view your originality report; however, you will not be permitted to submit your paper a second time. A score of 30% matching or lower is allowed, anything higher is not acceptable for any of the Turnitin assignments in this course. When answering questions, do not repeat the question in your essay. Ensure your work is entirely your own and cite your sources, if applicable!
Review the evaluation rubric for detailed grading criteria.
MGMT 201 – 2.4 Essay Assignment Rubric
MGMT 201 – 2.4 Essay Assignment Rubric
Criteria
Ratings
Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Analysis
All ideas are clearly and logically related and supports prompts/thesis: transitions are clear and easy to follow. Fully supports and develops ideas with research.
60.0 pts
Superior (54 – 60 pts)
53.0 pts
Above Average (48 – 53 pts)
47.0 pts
Average (40 – 47 pts)
41.0 pts
Below Average (36 – 41 pts)
35.0 pts
Failure (0 – 35 pts)
60.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Organization
Introduction provides all necessary elements of information; sets clear expectations; conclusion is decisive, creates a fully satisfying sense of completion.
15.0 pts
Superior (14 – 15 pts)
13.0 pts
Above Average (12 – 13 pts)
11.0 pts
Average
10.0 pts
Below Average
9.0 pts
Failure (0 – 9 pts)
15.0 pts
Research and References
Excellent research into the issues with clearly documented links to class and required two or more outside references (not including the course textbook) supporting the content. Quotes are less than 10% of the paper. In-text citations are used for support and clarity. Formatting of intext citations and references must follow APA guidelines.
15.0 pts
Superior (14 – 15 pts)
13.0 pts
Above Average (12 – 13 pts)
11.0 pts
Average
10.0 pts
Below Average
9.0 pts
Failure (0 – 9 pts)
15.0 pts
Writing Mechanics
No major grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors and paragraphs always unified and coherent.
10.0 pts
Superior
9.0 pts
Above Average
8.0 pts
Average
7.0 pts
Below Average
6.0 pts
Failure (0 – 6 pts)
10.0 pts
Total Points: 100.0