IB Business Management HL 6.1.2 Ansoff matrix Question Bank
Practise IB Business Management SL/HL 6.1.2 by applying ansoff matrix concepts to exam-style questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2024
- Course
- Business management HL
- Level
- HL
Practise IB Business Management SL/HL 6.1.2 by applying ansoff matrix concepts to exam-style questions.
"Think locally, grow globally"
To avoid negatively affecting sales, McDonald's ® senior managers in the United States (US) headquarters realized that they should not apply identical American standards worldwide. McDonald's ® must now think locally to grow globally.
British-born Steve Easterbrook, head of McDonald's ® in the United Kingdom (UK), understood the need for strategic change and prepared tactics with two objectives:
- to attract new and different customers
- to enhance the good value of products to appeal to customers during economic recession.
One of the first tactics in the UK was the introduction of "Little Tasters R◯ ", which offered new products, in small portions, at low prices. Steve understood that young mothers, when taking their children to McDonald's R◯ , would not buy meals for themselves because they felt the portions were too large. Other tactical changes, in response to customer demand, included the introduction of more chicken-based products for health-conscious customers. Moreover, an improved breakfast menu and better quality coffee attracted more price-conscious people on their way to work.
These adaptations to local conditions proved successful in the UK and beyond. McDonald's ® UK had 13 million more customers in 2010 compared to 2009, resulting in an increase in market share (during the economic recession). In other host countries McDonald's ® also successfully implemented its "think locally, grow globally" strategy. For example, it successfully launched products made from local produce and suited to local tastes such as the "Maharaja Mac TM " in India, the "McLobster R◯ " in Canada and the "Ebi Filet-O" (a shrimp burger) in Japan.
At the same time McDonald's R◯ launched a "global uniform initiative" to redecorate its restaurants with uniform appearance. McDonald's R◯ still tries to maintain the global recognition and the quality of its global brand. Local construction material and local labour are used, as well as different colours, comfortable armchairs and free Internet access. Other multinational food and drink companies, such as KFCR◯ and Starbucks R◯ , are also using a similar strategy to the "think locally, grow globally" strategy used by McDonald's R◯.
Draw the Ansoff matrix and use it to explain two of the growth strategies used by McDonald's ®.

[6 marks]
[Source: http://tutor2u.net/business/strategy/ansoff_matrix.htm, accessed 20 July 2012]
McDonald's ® strategic growth can be classified as:
Product development:
- different products with different ingredients / different size for the same / current / existing national/international markets.
Market development:
- targeting new segments like young mothers who did not eat at McDonald’s ® before due to the large portions of its meals
- attracting health-conscious customers with more chicken-based products (an assumption is made that very few chicken products were offered before).
Market penetration:
- the upgrade of facilities for the existing and any new customers that previously have not used McDonald’s ® in the current / existing markets
- offering good value items to recession-prone existing and new customers.
Award candidates who see targeting new segments like young mothers with the "Little Tasters ® " menu and possibly attracting health-conscious customers with chicken-based products as related diversification.
[1 to 2 marks]
A list is provided. The answer lacks considerable depth and application. No reference is made to the information in the stimulus material.
If the Ansoff matrix is accurately drawn but the growth strategies are just placed on it, award a maximum of [2 marks].
[3 to 4 marks]
One relevant growth strategy is fully explained and applied. The Ansoff matrix is accurately drawn and labelled. Reference is made to the information in the stimulus material.
Or:
Two relevant growth strategies are identified or described, but the response lacks explanation and/or lacks constant reference to the information in the stimulus material.
If the Ansoff matrix is not drawn, award a maximum of [4 marks] even if an appropriate explanation is given for the two growth strategies.
[5 to 6 marks]
Two relevant growth strategies are fully explained and applied. The Ansoff matrix is accurately drawn and labelled. Reference is made to the information in the stimulus material.