Wal Mart: Strategic Planning IntroductionWal-Mart is a well-known brand throughout the world, especially in the United States. It has gradually developed into the world's largest retailer. Wal-Mart's globalization efforts have unfolded rapidly. But have they been successful in all aspects of their international expansion or not? This is the main thought that will be discussed in this essay. The questions I will examine are based on a case entitled “Wal-Mart Takes on the World” from the International Business book The Challenge of Global Competition eleventh edition – Ball, McCulloch, Geringer, Minor and McNett. The questions are as follows:1. Why did Wal-Mart consider international expansion as a key part of its strategy?2. What has Wal-Mart done to help the company achieve success in Canada and Latin America? Why has Wal-Mart failed to achieve similar success in Europe?3. What should Wal-Mart do – or not do – to ensure the company's success in China and India?4. How will Wal-Mart's business practices and culture be transferred internationally?5. Can the company leverage its success in the American market to ensure success in the international market?6. Finally, I will discuss some of the early missteps that Wal-Mart experienced when the company began to expand internationally. Before answering these questions I will explain a little about Wal-Mart and what the "Wal-Mart takes over the world" case is about. Finally I will give my conclusion. “Wal-Mart Conquers the World” Case Overview Wal-Mart was born in the United States, in the state of Arkansas. It was founded by Sam Walton in 1962. After the 1980s Wal-Mart quickly became the largest retail chain in the world, defeating... half the paper... sucks the stores it always did acquisitions. Missteps in Germany, for example, have been held up as examples of how NOT to expand into a country. It was a lesson learned and was seen as a turning point. This should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat and should remain an example for further expansion. Conclusion So I would say that Wal-Mart has not been successful in all areas of its international expansion, but the company has been extremely successful internationally. I must say that starting from nothing many years ago, Wal-Mart International has grown rapidly and magnificently. It is now the fastest growing part of Wal-Mart. Expanding internationally was the most logical next step for Wal-Mart. By purchasing with more care and sensitivity and studying the market thoroughly before entering, I believe that Wal-Mart could soon become Wal-World (as I have heard it called.)