General Discussion Instructions

In order to prepare for this assignment, READ the information contained in the document “Salty Pawz Background.”

You are required to post to this discussion THREE TIMES, on THREE DIFFERENT DAYS. Please refer to the Discussion Grading Rubric for details regarding how your performance will be assessed. NOTE: Please be certain to read the entire discussion assignment since in some cases there is more than one question you need to discuss, respond to, or address. Be sure that you have answered the entire question!

Post 1: Initial Post

This posting should be a minimum of one short paragraph and a maximum of two paragraphs. Word totals for this post should be in the 100–200-word range. Whether you agree or disagree, explain why with supporting evidence and concepts from the readings or a related experience. Include a reference, link, or citation when appropriate.

Scenario

Between recalls on mass-produced commercial dog food and a general understanding of the benefits of a healthier diet for pets, the demand for natural or organic dog food is experiencing a significant increase. Wanda’s treats are more expensive than the mass-produced treats found in most grocery and big box stores, but she prides herself on providing high-quality products and believes that her customers are willing to pay the extra money for quality.

For Discussion

How does Wanda’s strategy of being a high-quality provider take advantage of the shifts in consumer demand for healthy dog treats?

Identify and describe an event that might occur in the economy that would cause Wanda’s strategy to no longer be successful for Salty Pawz. If this event occurred, what actions would Wanda have to take in response, and what impact might they have on her business?

Posts 2 and 3: Respond to Classmates’ Posts

Instructions

After you have created your initial post, look over the discussion posts of your classmates and give at least two thoughtful responses to two different classmates (one per classmate) as outlined in the Discussion Grading Rubric.

A response posting should be a minimum of one short paragraph. Word totals for these posts should be in the 75–100-word range. Whether you agree or disagree, explain why with supporting evidence and concepts from the readings or a related experience. Include a reference, link, or citation when appropriate. The goal of your response posts is to extend discussions already taking place or pose new possibilities or opinions not previously voiced. Your goal should be to motivate the group discussion and present a creative approach to the topic.