Short Writing Assignment 1 BA571 Spring 2012 Instructions: The point of this exercise is to evaluate your comprehension of the core material being asked for in the question below. Therefore, while brevity is expected, so too is an explanation of the concept/tool that demonstrates that you understand it. As a reminder (as per the syllabus): your response should be no more than one page in length (single spaced, with one inch margins and 12 point times roman font) and is due (via the drop box in ANGEL) before the beginning of your class session on Tuesday, 3/20 (these assignments will not be accepted beyond this time).

Porter argues (i.e., in the HBR article What is Strategy?) that the pursuit of operational effectiveness is not a strategy. According to this article (and our discussion of it), what is the fundamental difference between operational effectiveness and strategy? Briefly explain the three essential characteristics that constitute a strategy (according to this article and our discussion of it).