Radford University MGNT 436 Discussion Board: Analyzing Case Studies

This document presents four discussion board posts for MGNT 436, a leadership and management course. The posts analyze case studies on Starbucks' expansion into the Chinese tea market, Haier's global business strategies, the rise of medical tourism in India, and the impact of perception in cross-cultural communication. Each post summarizes the video content, relates it to textbook concepts, provides insightful commentary, and poses a thought-provoking question for further discussion. The posts adhere to the discussion board guidelines, offering substantial intellectual contributions and encouraging peer interaction. The first discussion post is on Starbucks entering the tea market in China, the second is on Haier's global strategy, the third is on medical tourism in India, and the fourth is on cross-cultural communication. These discussion posts are designed to foster critical thinking and engagement with the course material.

Chapter 10
The video is about Starbucks making a move to China. Starbucks recently acquired Teevana
and the company hopes to capture the market of tea in the Chinese population. The company
aims to increase the tea business to over $ 3 billion over the next five years. The problem is
that Starbucks venturing into tea in China is similar to trying to sell ice to Eskimos. China re
well versed with tea. This means that it is a mature market. However, Starbucks argues that as
much as it is a mature market it has a chance to still grow, but not at the rate it did years ago.
Starbucks will offer the Chinese premium flavored teas with few calories. An example of such
tea is green tea with aloe and prickly pear. Starbucks aims to capture the middle-class people
whose population is increasing in China. This demographic will favor luxury to mass. Also,
the middle class are more loyal to their brand and therefore are brand sensitive. My question
to the class is; do you think the strategy by Starbucks will succeed?
Chapter 9
The video is about Haier, the world of inspired living. Haier is a global company that services
people in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company is produced electronic
appliances. Its vision is to produce the technology of the highest quality by using aesthetically
driven designs and to enhance the lives of customers across the globe. Haier has over 70000
employees who are highly skilled. Haier matches dynamic marketing strategies that are
unique to each region and consequently, has a 9.7% global retail share. They have over 12000
points of sale in Europe. They create future proof technology that is shaping the future.

Consumers are at the heart of their every innovation, such as UV lights in the fridge to
eliminate bacteria. The customer's opinion is important to Haier. Haier asks for feedback and
views from their clients. Moreover, Haier is very confident in its products that it offers up to
1-year warranty and also a lifetime warranty on some products. Haier has won many awards
for its unique designs. Haier is not only a part of its industry but also leading it. Haier is keen
on sustainability as seen in their designs.
My question to the class is; why is it important to create products with customers in mind?
Chapter 8
India has attracted a lot of medical tourists in the last years. In the video, we are taken from
the portable dentistry which highlights how dentists are filling an important gap in the Indian
health care. These dentists can clean, pull out, and even customize dentures for their patients.
From there, we are taken to the hospitals that attract a lot of foreigners. To make the deal
attractive, these hospitals offer a pretty attractive package that consists of site-seeing, Wi-Fi,
restaurants, and cafes.
There has been a surge in medical tourism in India. The factors leading to this phenomenon
are mostly based on finances. In the video, the Indian neuron-surgeon said that he is paid a
tenth of what a US neurosurgeon is paid. Also, most of their medical equipment is cheap.
Finally, there is ready labour that is highly trained and can be as competitive as those in the
US.

Next, the video goes to Ayurveda medicine. This is an ancient medicine that is based on the
mind, body, and spirit being connected. It focuses on lifestyle and diet. Furthermore, there is
an emphasis on spiritual and emotional growth. My question to the class is: How can the US
compete against the increase in medical tourism in India?
Chapter 7
The YouTube video is centered on perception and how it affects our interactions in the global
sphere. Often, we are told to take a look at the other culture, learn it and understand it.
However, in this video, we are advised to understand ourselves first. He goes on to define
culture as a system of behavior that helps us act in an accepted and familiar way. What is
accepted and familiar depends on our social groups. For example, what is normal in Italy can
be seen as weird in India. People can look at the same picture, but use totally different words
to explain it because our world view is different. When dealing with other cultures one
should dig deep and look at the underlying values before jumping to a negative conclusion.
The best way to learn another culture is to be curious. Asking simple questions is the first step
towards curiosity. However, one should be careful to consider the economy of language.
Some cultures use many words to convey information, while others do the opposite.
When it negotiations, culture takes a leading role. For example, Italians use the power of
persuasion and appealing to negotiate, while Norwegians are focused on the rules, what is
right and wrong. The video comes to conclusion by advising the audience that the best way to
succeed in cross-cultural communication is to take the best from these cultures and merge
them, extending all borders and creating a whole new culture and that is the essence of a
global mindset.