1a 1) Define Strategy as it applies to what you understand and what you learned in  your reading.  The five P's of strategy are  plan, ploy, pattern, position and perspective(). In other words, strategy has a complex definition that is not easy to define but to me it simply means they way you handle a business.   2)  Research and consider an organization which employs the 5 P's as strategy. Name and describe the organization. Define and identify an example of each of the 5 Ps of strategy for an organization other than the examples offered in the course material of Chapter one. You may research an organization via the Internet or use the course material to gain additional perspective on an organization you are familiar with. Be specific and detailed as you address the 5 P's: Plan, Ploy, Pattern, Position, Perspective. Be sure to cite any references used. I chose Coca-Cola to research as they are a local company to me and I have many friends who have worked for Coca-Cola Bottling. Coca Cola is the world's largest beverage company despite that they don't make or sale beverages, but instead sale the rights to make and sale their products.    Plan - Coca-Cola's plan is to focus on the market, they give their customers what they are looking for and buy out the competition. Ploy - Remove responsibility from their selves by selling the rights to make, bottle and sale their products to other companies. Pattern - Advertise, advertise, advertise. Coke is on everything and is also what the majority of their spending is on. They advertise at every chance they get but it seems to work. Position - Coke is offered almost everywhere and is sold in over 200 countries. Their position is availability. Perspective - All industries change, even the beverage industry. Instead of just selling their flagship product Coke, they offer everything from diet drinks, water, sports drinks, teas, juices or anything else anyone would like to drink. If you are thirsty Coca-Cola wants yo satisfy your thirst. 2A 1) Based on Chapter 2, review either UMUC's website or research an organization of interest to you via Internet or one you are familiar with , take note of the mission and vision of the university and/or organization and answer the following questions: a) Describe the mission and vision Unless I am blind, I could not locate UMUC's vision statement but did find their mission statement  which says : The mission of University of Maryland University College is improving the lives of adult learners. We will accomplish this by: · Operating as Maryland's open university, serving working adults, military servicemen and servicewomen and their families, and veterans who reside in Maryland, across the United States, and around the world; · Providing our students with affordable, open access to valued, quality higher education; and · Serving as a recognized leader in career-relevant education, embracing innovation and change aligned with our purpose, and sharing our perspectives an.

1. 1a
1) Define Strategy as it applies to what you understand and
what you learned in your reading.
The five P's of strategy are plan, ploy, pattern, position and
perspective(). In other words, strategy has a complex definition
that is not easy to define but to me it simply means they way
you handle a business.
2) Research and consider an organization which employs the 5
P's as strategy. Name and describe the organization. Define and
identify an example of each of the 5 Ps of strategy for an
organization other than the examples offered in the course
material of Chapter one. You may research an organization via
the Internet or use the course material to gain additional
perspective on an organization you are familiar with. Be
specific and detailed as you address the 5 P's: Plan, Ploy,
Pattern, Position, Perspective. Be sure to cite any references
used.
I chose Coca-Cola to research as they are a local company to me
and I have many friends who have worked for Coca-Cola
Bottling. Coca Cola is the world's largest beverage company
despite that they don't make or sale beverages, but instead sale
the rights to make and sale their products.
Plan - Coca-Cola's plan is to focus on the market, they give
their customers what they are looking for and buy out the
competition.
Ploy - Remove responsibility from their selves by selling the
rights to make, bottle and sale their products to other
companies.
Pattern - Advertise, advertise, advertise. Coke is on everything
and is also what the majority of their spending is on. They
advertise at every chance they get but it seems to work.
Position - Coke is offered almost everywhere and is sold in over
200 countries. Their position is availability.
Perspective - All industries change, even the beverage industry.

2. Instead of just selling their flagship product Coke, they offer
everything from diet drinks, water, sports drinks, teas, juices or
anything else anyone would like to drink. If you are thirsty
Coca-Cola wants yo satisfy your thirst.
2A
1) Based on Chapter 2, review either UMUC's website or
research an organization of interest to you via Internet or one
you are familiar with , take note of the mission and vision of the
university and/or organization and answer the following
questions:
a) Describe the mission and vision
Unless I am blind, I could not locate UMUC's vision statement
but did find their mission statement which says :
The mission of University of Maryland University College is
improving the lives of adult learners. We will accomplish this
by:
· Operating as Maryland's open university, serving working
adults, military servicemen and servicewomen and their
families, and veterans who reside in Maryland, across the
United States, and around the world;
· Providing our students with affordable, open access to valued,
quality higher education; and
· Serving as a recognized leader in career-relevant education,
embracing innovation and change aligned with our purpose, and
sharing our perspectives and expertise.
b) Does the organization meet this mission and vision statement
posted? How? Why? or Why Not? Explain in thorough detail
using appropriate paragraphs, sentence structure, references,
etc.
UMUC is meeting their mission statement for the most part.
From my experience most students are working adults, it has
online classes which can be accessed via the internet from
anywhere in the world. The second statement of being
affordable is questionable. UMUC is more expensive than some

3. other schools but what school is really affordable to the average
middle class adult. The third statement is unclear, who is
UMUC recognized by as being a leader by. I would agree with
innovation as not all schools offer a online program in so many
degrees.
References
Mastering Strategic Management. (2016). Mastering
strategy. Washington, D.C.: The Saylor Foundation
https://www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company/about-coca-
cola-journey
https://www.umuc.edu/about/mission-and-history/index.cfm
3a Strategy is the use of planning and execution to accomplish a
goal in the most successful and least resistant way available.
Strategy is used during business, military operations,
relationships, sports, learning, and almost every aspect of a
person’s life. We all use strategy on a daily basis, whether we
acknowledge it or not, to reach our goals or to outsmart or
“outplay” another person. An example often used when
discussing strategy is the game of chess because of the
planning, foresight, and tactfulness that players must use in
order to beat the other person. Being strategic is often a result
of a well thought-out process. Strategy is using previous
experiences, knowledge, and research to find a tactful solution
to a problem. This demands an understanding of the goal and
actions that can be taken to make the goal successful. The
reading breaks down strategy into different categories:
intended, emergent, and realized. These categories outline
different scenarios in which strategy and strategic thinking is
utilized.
2) Apple is a company that has truly risen to the top in recent
years which is without doubt due to their business strategy.
Apple is a company that produces cellular phones, laptops,

4. Apple Watches, iPods, iPads, etc. Also, Apple is responsible for
an operating system, Apple Music, and more (Apple, n.d.). It is
a huge company that is dominating the electronics and media
markets. The reason that Apple has been able to dominate the
market is due to their strategic plan. A strategic plan is the
decisions and actions a company takes to ensure its success
(Mastering Strategic Management, 2016). Apple had a plan to
create an easy-to-use user interface and trusted software. The
company focused on an elegantly designed product that was also
easy to use. Apple creators looks steps to ensure this happened
(Bajarin, 2017).
Second, the company also had a ploy. A ploy is a part of the
strategy where the company attempts to maneuver to outsmart
any competitors (Mastering Strategic Management, 2016).
Apple’s strategy was to create a product that was different than
competitors while maintaining functionality. The advanced
features that Apple created for its products gave the company a
competitive advantage over competitors. Apple created devices
that could be synced with other Apple devices, but not
competitor’s products, creating a ploy in which customers were
behooved to buy only Apple products (Dudovskiy, 2018). This
was a smart move on behalf of Apple’s business strategy.
Next, a company uses patterns in a business strategy to obtain
success. This means that the company maintained consistency
over time (Mastering Strategic Management, 2016). Apple has
managed to keep the same interface spanning across virtually all
of their products. Although the products have advanced, their
functionality has remained consistent. Users do not have to
relearn the use of Apple products because, though products are
constantly being updated and advanced, the interface has
remained constant which is something customers pay for
(Browne, 2015). The standardization has helped tremendously
in Apple’s success.
In a business strategy, position is a factor. Position means the
relevance of the company in its market compared to its
competitors (Mastering Strategic Management, 2016). This

5. means a company can claim to be the cheapest, best quality,
most convenient, etc. Apple has managed to position itself well
within its market. The company targets 22 to 50-year-old
medium to high income customers. The company advertises a
“less is better” marketing scheme that focuses on design and
quality (Positioning of Apple, 2018). Because Apple has
positioned itself with a reputation of their products being
innovative, high-quality, and easy to use, the company is able to
charge premium prices.
Lastly, a company’s strategy includes perspective. Perspective
refers to how leaders of the company view the market, the
competition, and the company (Mastering Strategic
Management, 2016). Many attribute the success of Apple to
Steve Jobs, the CEO of the company, because of his
perspective. Steve Jobs assessed Apple’s competitors and what
they brought to the table while ensuring Apple stayed one step
ahead. An example of this is the once-popular Blackberry phone
that included a keyboard and stylus. Steve Jobs approached this
differently but designing a smartphone. Because of this
perspective and insight, Apple became the leader in the mobile
technology market (Umoh, 2018). Not long after the release of
the smartphone the Blackberry became a thing of the past.
Apple’s leaders used strategy in the form of perspective to
maintain an innovative approach for the company while
knocking out competitors.
Apple. (n.d.) Retrieved October 24, 2018 from
https://www.apple.com
Bajarin, T. (2017, April 03). Apple's Strategy Explained in One
Simple Idea. Retrieved October 24, 2018, from
http://time.com/4723389/apple-strategy-iphone-ipad-apple-tv/
Browne, D. (2015, February 10). Apple’s secret sauce: The
WOW of consistency. Retrieved October 24, 2018
from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/apples-secret-sauce-wow-
consistency-david-browne
Dudovskiy, J. (2018, January 10). Apple Business Strategy -
Product Differentiation in Design and Fuctionality. Retrieved

6. October 24. 2018 from https://research-methodology.net/apple-
business-strategy/
Mastering Strategic Management. (2016). Mastering
strategy. Washington, D.C.: The Saylor Foundation
Positioning of Apple | Apple Segmentation, Targeting and
Positioning. (2018, July 07). Retrieved October 24, 2018, from
http://heartofcodes.com/positioning-of-apple/
Umoh, R. (2018, September 12). Apple’s continued success can
still be traced back to Steve Jobs. Retrieved October 24, 2018
from https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/12/apples-success-can-
still-be-traced-to-steve-jobs.html
4a One of my personal favorite companies is Patagonia and I am
a lifelong customer. This company’s mission statement is “build
the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to
inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis”
(Patagonia, n.d.). In translation, this company’s mission is to
create a quality product without harming the environment as
well as contributing to the causes of the helping the
environment. The company takes pride in making products for
customers that enjoy the outdoors and the environment. Luckily,
the target market that Patagonia has also holds these values dear
and therefore buy Patagonia products.
First off, there is great importance in a company having a
mission and sticking to it. This is because it gives the company
an identity apart from its competitors (Mastering Strategic
Management, 2016). For example, Patagonia started out as a
small company of minimalists, climbers, and surfers dedicated
to making tools for companies that grew into making clothes for
a magnitude of outdoors activities (Patagonia, n.d.). A mission
statement should outline the values of the stakeholders
(Mastering Strategic Management, 2016). Therefore, the values
of these business-starters maintain Patagonia’s values
(Patagonia, n.d.).
Additionally, Patatgonia refrains from using dyes and other
products that are harmful to the environment and create

7. pollution in their products. The company uses polyester that is
recycled in their clothing as well as only organic cotton
(Patagonia, n.d.). Using these pesticide-free and non-harmful
products helps to uphold the mission statement that the
company has set forth stating they will “cause no unnecessary
harm” (Patagonia, n.d.).
Patagonia also has a vison to combat the decline of the
environment. A company’s vision is more long-term and
represents future ideals for the company. The vision is in place
to inspire employees and improve the performance of the
company (Mastering Strategic Management, 2016). In an effort
to support this vision, the company donates a percentage of its
profits to a magnitude of environmental groups. (Patagonia,
n.d.). Staying true to the company’s values, mission statement,
and vision is extremely important to Patagonia and is also a
reason that they have maintained their identity in the industry
and become a successful clothing company.
Mastering Strategic Management. (2016). Mastering
strategy. Washington, D.C.: The Saylor Foundation
Patagonia. (n.d.). Retrieved on October 25, 2018 from
https://www.patagonia.com/company-info.html
Grading rubic
itial Posting to LA's
0.875 points
Answers the learning activities completely and correctly and
uses a wide array of the course material demonstrating a
through understanding of the concepts and ideas presented in
the content.
(0.735 - 0.875)
0.69125 points
Answers the learning activities and attempts to use the course
material but needs to use more course material to demonstrate
an understanding of the concepts and ideas presented in the

8. content.
(0.6125 - 0.734)
0.48125 points
Responses do not address the learning activities or addresses
only part of the learning activities; show minimal evidence of
reading or use of the course material in the responses or
depends heavily on opinion rather than rely on the concepts and
ideas presented in the content.
(0.4375 - 0.6124)
0 points
Responds to only one learning activity or fails to respond to the
learning activities.
(0 - 0.4374)
/ 0.875
Follow-up Postings
0.875 points
Responds to classmate's post extending the discussion by adding
to the discussion rather than repeating what has been already
stated. New ideas are presented and through use of the course
material or required research is used in every response. This
can be evidence by bringing in at least two resources in a
response.
(0.735 - 0.875)
0.69125 points
Responds to classmate's post extending the discussion by
attempting to add to the discussion rather than repeating what
has been already stated; occasionally uses course material but
needs development of ideas and use of concepts; may use one
resource from the classroom or repeats information from initial
posting.
(0.6125 - 0.734)
0.48125 points
Responses to classmate's post do not extend the discussion but
posts are more I agree statements restating what has already
been stated; evaluates the quality of a post adding no substantial
comments; little evidence of course material use or may heavily

9. depend on opinion; or may respond to fewer than required
number of classmates but has one good response.
(0.4375 - 0.6124)
0 points
Follow up responses to classmates add no value or there are no
posts to classmates.
(0 - 0.4374)
/ 0.875
Support
0.375 points
Consistently uses sources that brings validity and richness to
the presented perspective, claim, conclusion, choice or
argument. Accurately presents paraphrased material. Does not
rely on opinion based statements.
(0.315 - 0.375)
0.29625 points
Selected sources brings some validity and richness to the
presented perspective, claim, conclusion, choice or argument
but occasionally presents inconcise paraphrasing or selected
sources fails to support reasoning, argument or conclusions.
(0.2625 - 0.314)
0.20625 points
Imprecise or inaccurate usage of selected sources, use of direct
quotes rather than paraphrasing or support is based on opinion
resulting in minimal or no validity to the presented perspective,
claim, conclusion, choice or argument.
(0.1875 - 0.2624)
0 points
Fails to support perspective, claim, conclusion, choice or
argument or provides statement without explaining the 'why or
how.'
(0 - 0.1874)
/ 0.375
Frequency
0.125 points
Responds to two or more classmates above the minimum

10. requirement.
(0.105 - 0.125)
0.09875 points
Responds to one more classmate than the minimum requirement.
(0.0875 - 0.104)
0.06875 points
Responds to classmates the minimum number of times.
(0.0625 - 0.0874)
0 points
Participates less than required.
(0 - 0.0624)
/ 0.125
Presentation and Writing
0.125 points
Contributes to discussion with clear and concise comments that
is style appropriate, rich in vocabulary and free of grammatical
& spelling errors.
(0.105 - 0.125)
0.09875 points
Contributes to discussion with understandable comments but
style and vocabulary is at time inconsistent or imprecise, and/or
has minor writing errors.
(0.0875 - 0.104)
0.06875 points
Contributes to discussion with errors in clarity, style,
vocabulary selection, and/or many writing errors.
(0.0625 - 0.0874)
0 points
No evidence of proofreading or attempt at applying
conventional writing mechanics, style or vocabulary.
(0 - 0.0624)
/ 0.125
APA Usage
0.125 points
Posts contain the appropriate number of APA in-text citations
and reference list matches; no errors are present.

11. (0.105 - 0.125)
0.09875 points
Attempts in-text citations and reference list but errors in
formatting exist; paraphrasing is not accurate or in-text
citations are not used frequently enough.
(0.0875 - 0.104)
0.06875 points
Attempts in-text citations or reference list but omits one or the
other. In-text citations seldom used.
(0.0625 - 0.0874)
0 points
No evidence of APA used.
(0 - 0.0624)
/ 0.125
Total
/ 2.5