Section A
Answer any One question. All the questions are equally weighted.
Write not more than 1500 words per question.
Question 1
A toy retail chain store from Korea is planning to expand its business to Singapore. The top management team is discussing what business model would suit given the changing consumer shopping habits. Briefly explain the key components of a business model. Next, discuss if they should go for TOMS Shoes/Warby Parker buy one, give one model, or Groupon subscription membership service that offers exclusive deals, or IKEA one-stop shop concept that includes a restaurant and food market. Your answer must refer to the concepts covered in class and consider the current situation.
Question 2
Your friend, Pierre who has recently become a permanent resident in Singapore, wants to set up a caf in Orchard Road area. His unique selling point is freshly made French pastries and one live interactive cooking demonstration daily. Having lived in France for 10 years, and with a Diplme de Ptisserie (Pastry Diploma) from Le Cordon Bleu Paris (one of the best cooking schools in the world), Pierre is confident with his culinary and bakery skills. He also has won several cooking competitions in France, attracting over 1 million followers on several of his social media platforms (such as Instagram, Twitter, and WeChat). He thinks his many valuable resources and capabilities would allow him to make a profit in the bakery caf industry. He knows you have completed a university strategy class and wants to seek your opinion on his French bakery shop idea. Support your argument with relevant concepts covered in class.