Williams Sonoma case study analysis and strategic assessment

¶ … Williams-Sonoma continues with its present strategies and objectives, where will they be in 5 years?

In the next five years, Williams-Sonoma will make an impact on society as they are currently. One has to note that they will have become a multinational corporation (MNE). This is because they are continuously trying to find ways in which to grow, and their strategy will make this possible due to them having a website, catalog and so forth. Since they are now reaching out to the home, they are able to reach more people, especially because of using the World Wide Web to get as many customers as needed in order to gain revenue during this process (Pearson, 2010).

They are also reaching out to teens by having a website and a catalog available for them as well. This will make hype from that particular age group, especially since they will hear of the products available; all of them will want to tell their friends and family of how great their products are and word will spread because Williams-Sonoma doing whatever is needed to do mass marketing, which will become a success. One will continue to tell schools through this process, and people will continue to buy what it is he or she needs (Pearson, 2010).

As one can tell, they have many strategies. This includes a Pottery Barn and a Wedding registry as well as a gift registry. These will continue to become in demand due to meeting the needs of those in the community who are interested in buying items needed for their home setting. One can do much with this organization and much prosperity. Williams-Sonoma has a strategy that will continue to make a difference around the globe despite how much competition is present. They are reaching all ages and are utilizing every need possible in order to ensure that everything run smooth on a daily basis, such as the Internet and using mass marketing efforts. In the end, they will have many locations in which to serve their customers, which makes it all worth it (Pearson, 2010).

2. If you were the CEO of William-Sonoma what strategies would you recommend and why?

Here are the strategies I would recommend if I were the CEO of William-Sonoma. The first is that of the fact that they do not need to market to teenagers. This is because many of them are not on their own and do not pay for an apartment or a house. They would have no use for designing their own room. All he or she can do is request their parents to buy what it is one wants at that time; although, the individual will not have a job until the age of sixteen and not fully life on their own until the person is eighteen or in college. In place of it, I would suggest having the person look at what adults are doing for their house and for the teenage to choose from there. Through this approach, both are satisfied and a teenager is not forced to grow up sooner than needed (Pearson, 2010).

I do not believe that Williams-Sonoma needs a Pottery Barn. This seems quite irrelevant to them selling and retailing supplies needed for one's home. Instead, they can have a bigger product line. By doing this, they are able to differentiate their products because Williams-Sonoma is able to meet more needs. At the current direction the company is going is in the form of having a craft fair or store. When reading the case study, this has nothing to do with homes; therefore, one suggests that they do joint ventures with craft stores, so that they can have a bigger product line and bring in immense revenue for those in management and employees with William-Sonoma. In the end, everyone will benefit in the community and the world while having affiliate links added to their websites as well. Everyone will want to contribute by wanting to make money with Williams-Sonoma that believes in the products they serve as well as the classes their affiliates provide. These strategies can make all the difference for customers and those involved in making the business better (Pearson, 2010).

3. Describe the competitive strategies used by each of Williams-Sonoma competitors. Which of these strategies are the most effective? Support your answer.

Many of Williams-Sonoma's competitors have a number of strategies that are worth noting. In regards to "Crate & Barrel," they focus in on using store displays and utilize the internet more so than having actual having concrete locations as well as take advantage of having catalogs for their customers (Pearson, 2010). With "Restoration Hardware," this organization strives to provide "retro tools, steamer chairs, shot glasses and foot duvets as well as furniture that is vintage style (Pearson, 2010). The next company is that of "Pier 1 Imports," they focus in on anything needed for the home environment and have multiple locations around the globe (Pearson, 2010). "The Bombay Company emphasizes classic traditional furniture, wall decor and accessories and is in many places" (Pearson, 2010). The "Door Store" anticipates trends that go with various pieces of furniture and to make the price cost-effective for the customer (Pearson, 2010). "Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium" markets nationwide as well as sells kitchen products, including that of housewares (Pearson, 2010). They also have catalogs and their own website (Pearson, 2010). The other competitors use a landscape format in competition with Williams-Sonoma (Pearson, 2010).

I believe the most effective strategy is that or Pier 1 Imports because they focus in on furnishing what a perosn needs for his or her's home. This makes it easeier for someone wanting to take care of their household to do it with success in one place. Through going this direction, an individual is able to partner with a bigger store and gain more revenue because of it. Over time, both stores will benefit due to them both using the Internet for their advantage and seeking ways in which to stay current with the trends that occur in the business world through market research. By using, Pier 1, Williams-Sonoma is able to meet the whole person on what one wants or needs at that particular time (Pearson, 2010).

4. How is Williams-Sonoma using the internet as a distribution channel now, and how would you recommend that they use the Internet in the future?

Williams-Sonoma is using the Internet for everything they sell in their local stores and online. This provides the company with much variety and the opportunity to reach a massive amount of customers without having to do much work in the process. Because of the company going in this direction, they are able to have an increase in revenue every year due to reaching more people who want their products on a regular basis. Through this, they are able to distribute their home products to anywhere in the world and make it easier for a person who has a different tax as well as have their information get based of the exchange rate, if needed. Not only that, but the organization is staying in contact with their suppliers who are helping them to make and sell specific products that customers are requesting at that particular time in history. They also use their sites as a means of finding out whether or not people will accept their products or not and then make a decision from on what to change or to keep (Pearson, 2010).