Strategic management can, through long-term objective planning and strategic implementation, provide an organization the grand strategies needed in meeting its business mission, goals, objectives, and ultimately increase shareholder wealth (Pearce and Robinson, 2005, p. 19).
Discussion
Background
Andrea Jung, president and Chief Executive Officer at Avon Products, Inc. since November 1999, is faced with the strategic decision of developing a growth strategy for a 115-year-old company in the spring of 2000 (Pearce and Robinson, 2005, p. 28-1).
In the case study, Avon was "...the world's largest direct seller of beauty and related personal care products, sold to women in 137 countries via three million independent sales representatives who generated approximately $5.1 billion in annual revenues" (Pearce and Robinson, 2005, p. 28-1). Avon had had global success and brand recognition, but single digit growth indicated the company and its leadership needed to provide new direction in the grand strategies to be taken.
Argument One
The first argument is that Avon's grand strategy under the leadership of Andrea Jung has its merits and is the grand strategy is properly focused and directed (Syllabus, 2005, p. 16).
Evidence
The grand strategies that Jung has put in place for Avon are meeting with the strategic vision of Avon. The strategic objectives that Jung proposed are clearly future orientated and appear to be measurable and obtainable. In a rapidly changing market environment
References: Avon. (2005). Senior management: Andrea Jung, Chairmen and Chief Executive Officer, Avon Products, Inc. Retrieved June 25, 2005, from http://www.avoncompany.com/investor/seniormanagement/jung.html Pearce and Robinson. (2005). Strategic management (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Syllabus. (2005). MGT/578 Strategy formulation and implementation. [University of Phoenix Custom Edition, FlexNet]. Retrieved June 18, 2005, from FlexNet Northwest, 06-11-28 MGT578, Outlook Express newsgroup: FXNorthwest.06-11.28_TFXMBA0104-MGT578.Course-Materials