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Describe a strategic planning initiative for your selected organization and identify a strategic initiative discussed in the organization’s annual report.

Due to the awareness and sensitivity to the needs and desires of different cultures the Walt Disney Company operates under a transnational strategy. Based on International Management: Strategic Opportunities and Cultural Challenges, "companies pursuing transnational strategy initiatives sometimes want to balance toward the global side with respect to product standardization" (McFarlin and Sweeney 267). For the Walt Disney Company, the company’s headquarters is located in Burbank, California; this is the main headquarters for all departments including animation, theme parks, and consumer products.
As stated previously, the company does not operate the foreign theme parks directly, but they still retain much of the control in strategic decisions, cast member guidelines, and other areas which help the parks adhere to the "Disney" way. Firms pursuing this strategy must juggle the competing demands for local responsiveness and global integration (McFarlin and Sweeney 267). The text goes on to say that "these companies must quickly transfer their core competencies throughout their worldwide organization and be prepared to take advantage of new or improved core competencies wherever they are developed" (McFarlin and Sweeney 267).
The transitional initiative works well for The Walt Disney Company. The company is known for its family entertainment in every aspect of media. This means Disney must preserve its value and mission throughout all divisions and business dealings. Disney must make sure any companies interested in joining strategic alliances must fit in with Disney's philosophies. In order to make the best decisions, The Walt Disney Company has a special division entitled the Corporate Strategy, Business Development, and Technology Group. Kevin Mayer has been the...