The CK&M Company manufactures a robotic vacuum called the Robo2000

 

The CK&M Company manufactures a robotic vacuum called the Robo2000. The company sells the vacuum to discount stores throughout the country. The Robo2000 is a basic robotic vacuum with a remote and is significantly less expensive than the robotic vacuum that requires a smartphone and app offered by the competitor, Stone Manufacturing. Furthermore, CK&M has experienced production problems that have resulted in significant rework costs. Stone’s model has an excellent reputation for quality.
• Is CK&M’s current strategy that of product differentiation or cost leadership?
• What about the strategy of Stone Manufacturing?
CK&M would like to improve quality and decrease costs by improving processes and training workers to reduce rework. CK&M’s managers believe that increased quality will increase sales.
• Develop an appropriate strategy to achieve this goal.
• For each of the 4 perspectives, propose criteria that you would include in a balanced scorecard for CK&M.

 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

CK&M's current strategy is cost leadership, while Stone Manufacturing's strategy is product differentiation.

CK&M focuses on a low price point, making their Robo2000 vacuum "significantly less expensive" than competitors. This is a classic cost leadership strategy, which aims to attract a broad customer base by offering the lowest price in the market. Stone Manufacturing, on the other hand, employs a product differentiation strategy. Their model's reliance on a smartphone app and excellent quality reputation indicates a focus on unique features and superior product attributes to justify a premium price.

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