In-class discussion questions for Jan 30

Published January 28, 2015 | By Min-Seok Pang, Ph.D.

We will discuss these questions in-class on Fri, Jan 30. Do not post comments on this.

Between ByRequest and other point/mileage programs, which one is more valuable to customers? Why?
Between ByRequest and other point/mileage programs, which one is more profitable to the brand (or cheaper to execute)? Why?
How easy or difficult is it for the competitors to imitate Wyndham’s ByRequest Program?
What is the francising structure in the lodging industry?
Why does the case mention on Page 4 about “a lack of standardization of IT plagued the lodging industry?”
How is Wyndham’s IT infrastructure and management different from that of other hotel chains? What are the advantages in Wyndham’s IT infrastructure and management ?

In-class discussion questions for Jan 28

Published January 26, 2015 | By Min-Seok Pang, Ph.D.

We will discuss these questions in-class on Wed, Jan 28. Do not post comments on this.

When you’re travelling, how do you choose your hotel to stay? What kind of amenities or perks do you value the most?
How can Wyndham successfully compete with such giants as Hilton or Marriott and generate sustainable profit streams?
Where is Wyndham competing? What kind of customers is it targeting?
At which area did Wyndham choose to excel?
How does ByRequest work?
How does IT support this ByRequest initiative?
What’s the difference between Wyndham ByRequest program and other conventional guest rewards or frequent mileage programs?

Published January 24, 2015 | By Min-Seok Pang, Ph.D.

We will discuss these questions in-class on Mon, Jan 26. Do not post comments on this.

When you’re travelling, how do you choose your hotel to stay? What kind of amenities or perks do you value the most?
What’s your Core Competency? Do you have something that you can do better than anyone else?
What would be the core competency of Otis? Is it valuable? Is it imitable by competitors?
How can Wyndham successfully compete with such giants as Hilton or Marriott and generate sustainable profit streams?
Where is Wyndham competing? What kind of customers is it targeting?
At which area did Wyndham choose to excel?

Published January 22, 2015 | By Min-Seok Pang, Ph.D.

We will discuss these questions in-class on Fri, Jan 23. Do not post comments on this.

For a new elevator to be produced and installed at a new building, what steps is Otis taking? Who are involved in this process?
What were the problems before e*Logistics in Otis’ business processes?
How does e*Logistics address these problems and what are the improvement achieved by it?
Who would be unhappy with the changes in the business processes caused by e*Logistics?
How do you think Otis managed and overcame these challenges? Who do you think played a key role?

Published January 20, 2015 | By Min-Seok Pang, Ph.D.

According to the Otis case, which business is more profitable? Elevator manufacturing or service? Why?
In the Otis case, “The service market attracted many participants because of its steady demand, low barriers of entry, and high profitability.” (p. 3) Doesn’t it mean that the service market is not profitable for Otis?
How often do you change your doctor? Why?
Will Otis customers (building owners or managers) change an elevator service company often? Why or why not?
Can you think of an example of bundle around us? Why do firms sell a bundle?
Why would bundling up an elevator (product) and maintenance services together (i.e. total solutions) be more profitable than selling an elevator and services individually?
How were things going before OTISLINE? How now are things going after OTISLINE?
What are the improvements in customer service from OTISLINE?

We will discuss these questions in-class on Wed, Jan 21. Do not post comments on this.

Published January 15, 2015 | By Min-Seok Pang, Ph.D.

What does it mean by a bargaining power of buyers? When would buyers have a strong bargaining power?
Any example of switching costs for buyers?
Suppose you’ve got $300 millions from winning a lottery. You want to start a new airline company. What does it takes for you to make the first flight take off?
What would be substitutes for a travel by flight? Wha would be substitutes for grocery stores?
According to the Otis case, which business is more profitable? Elevator manufacturing or service?
In the Otis case, “The service market attracted many participants because of its steady demand, low barriers of entry, and high profitability.” (p. 3) Doesn’t it mean that the service market is not profitable for Otis?

We will discuss these questions in-class on Friday, Jan 16. Do not post comments on this.