Zamzows Case Study Summary

Rational Decision Making Model- For Use in Critical Anaylsis of Zamzows Case Study

1. Identify and sort out and summarize the problem(s). Decide which is the most important problem.

a. IAMS is not allowing Zamzows to create their own dog food and distribute it themselves because IAMS wants them to exclusively sell their product.

b. With IAMS having an exclusive contract with Zamzows, IAMS never provided them with the means to distribute this product and Zamzows had to use their money while not receiving a profit for their sales.

c. Once Zamzows started receiving profits, they were made aware that IAMS will not be selling to them exclusively but to their competitors as well for the same price.

2. Define nature of problem, causes, and assumptions (values, global, competition, etc.).

a. While becoming a more reputable brand, IAMS does not want to have competition with another dog food brand since Zamzows is a well-known company in

Zamzows could pursue the idea of selling their own product in their stores and seek legal advice to understand the laws of competition. They already have the distribution organized to start marketing their own product. In order to avoid potential law suits they need to understand the laws that protect our market of sales.

5. List how you are going to implement each solution. How are you going to make your solution work?

a. Have a negotiation meeting with IAMS to try and work something out and possibly test the market to determine if individuals will buy Zamzows dog food brand.

b. Continue to basically distribute to Zamzows as an exclusive distributor and communicate IAMS goal to increase sales. In order to do so it is distributing to areas that Zamzows is not competing in. Although it will be with their competition Pet Co and Pet Smart, IAMS would love to only exclusively distribute through them. If they chose to start competing in these new markets they will be the exclusive distributor in that market. (Implementation of solution