Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University proudly showcases the work of undergraduate honors students by sharing this collection exclusively with the ASU community.
Barrett accepts high performing, academically engaged undergraduate students and works with them in collaboration with all of the other academic units at Arizona State University. All Barrett students complete a thesis or creative project which is an opportunity to explore an intellectual interest and produce an original piece of scholarly research. The thesis or creative project is supervised and defended in front of a faculty committee. Students are able to engage with professors who are nationally recognized in their fields and committed to working with honors students. Completing a Barrett thesis or creative project is an opportunity for undergraduate honors students to contribute to the ASU academic community in a meaningful way.
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Four Peaks Brewing Company, a business case study written by Megan Hahn, is a case study thematic to supply chain management. Framed as supplement learning material, this case study gives students the chance to understand real-life business scenarios. This case enables its readers to analyze business issues from a variety of perspectives and apply critical thinking and problem solving skills providing invaluable understanding of different supply chain management concepts and strategies. This case tells the tale of Four Peaks Brewing Co, an Arizona brewery recently acquired by Anheuser-Busch, facing an aluminum shortage and an influx of demand brought on by shifting consumer habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case provides an opportunity to explore the important role of sourcing and procurement in a low-margin, high demand, complex beverage production system. Differing from supply chain cases about technology or car manufacturing firms, the food/beverage industry introduces new levels of supply chain risk and complexity. Requiring the use of supply chain strategy, understanding supply constraints in multi-echelon supply systems, and inventory concepts, Four Peaks Brewing Co. allows students to apply conceptual material learned in class to an interesting and relevant real-life example. Central to this case is Denise’s decision on which can supplier to choose for the new product, the Sun Day seltzer. With differing lead times, costs, and time pressures, students are provided the opportunity to evaluate the important tradeoffs supply chain professionals face.
Four Peaks Brewing Company, a business case study written by Megan Hahn, is a case study thematic to supply chain management. Framed as supplement learning material, this case study gives students the chance to understand real-life business scenarios. This case enables its readers to analyze business issues from a variety of perspectives and apply critical thinking and problem solving skills providing invaluable understanding of different supply chain management concepts and strategies. This case tells the tale of Four Peaks Brewing Co, an Arizona brewery recently acquired by Anheuser-Busch, facing an aluminum shortage and an influx of demand brought on by shifting consumer habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case provides an opportunity to explore the important role of sourcing and procurement in a low-margin, high demand, complex beverage production system. Differing from supply chain cases about technology or car manufacturing firms, the food/beverage industry introduces new levels of supply chain risk and complexity. Requiring the use of supply chain strategy, understanding supply constraints in multi-echelon supply systems, and inventory concepts, Four Peaks Brewing Co. allows students to apply conceptual material learned in class to an interesting and relevant real-life example. Central to this case is Denise’s decision on which can supplier to choose for the new product, the Sun Day seltzer. With differing lead times, costs, and time pressures, students are provided the opportunity to evaluate the important tradeoffs supply chain professionals face.
First, the environment in which the company was operating in during its first quarter of business is examined, along with the strategies that were in place at that time. Included in this first section is also a comprehensive competitive analysis that examines how Rille & Co. fits into the competitive market. Next, the success of the initial strategy for Rille & Co. is analyzed through a SWOT analysis of the company’s standing as of Fall 2015. Finally, the third section of analysis contains key recommendations and alterations to the original strategy in order for the company to experience continual growth and success.
In all, if Rille & Co. implements the strategies outlined in this marketing plan, it should be able to continue business for years to come. The most important aspects of operation for the business are its internal organization, finding clients with the correct fit, and boosting its website’s SEO to better implement inbound marketing techniques. For an agency, it tends to be difficult to focus on these internal problems when clients’ needs come first. In this case, Rille & Co. must prioritize its own operations to better meet the needs of clients.
As Rille & Co’s first year of business is coming to a close, it is extremely important to note how far the company has come, despite any obstacles that made for an exciting first year. The agency is well on its way to achieving the standards of success it set for itself, but the agency’s success is also measured in its resilience and adaptability – necessary traits for any agency (or company, for that matter). With huge changes on the horizon, now is the time for Rille & Co. to demonstrate its resilience and adaptability again – coping with the loss of an integral employee and adapting to the needs of clients who may not be financially sound. The team should be proud of the work accomplished, and although it is the “end of an era,” Rille & Co. should prepare itself for the adventures that have yet to unfold.