Wal-Mart Case StudyCase Review and Recommendations While we have reviewed and studied Wal-Mart's strategy, culture, finances, challenges, and successes, there are many strategies that we see that the company must strive to maintain its dominant position and promote further growth. Here we define our top four. These key strategies include: rebuilding and recreating your reputation in the face of recent challenges; continue to show price leadership; improve the customer experience; and drive international growth. Wal-Mart's financial performance continues to be strong. 2008 saw another record year, as total net sales increased 8.6 percent to $375 billion. However, earnings growth rates and same-store sales have slowed. Additionally, the company faces a number of challenges related to its operating procedures, reputation and growth prospects. Given the company's stated goals of “growing operating income faster than sales” and increasing shareholder value, the strategies we recommend will directly impact the company's ability to overcome current challenges and achieve these primary financial goals. Reputation and Brand A key strategic objective, perhaps the most fundamental to the company's future is to rebuild and recreate its reputation. While brand and reputation are closely interconnected, author and business consultant, John Foley, differentiates the two attributes this way: “Brand is inside out. Reputation is outside in” (Foley 3). Wal-Mart's reputation has declined in recent years, and according to Foley, “the... medium of paper... and - its promise, the image and the emotion it creates remains relatively strong. Wal-Mart's mission to “save money so people can live better” is communicated clearly and consistently. However, Wal-Mart's reputation, the “outside in” vision, built on direct experiences, outside opinions, rumors and judgments, must be strengthened. The pillar of its overall business strategy – price leadership – must be maintained. The power and influence of the company can be used to create positive effects in consumers' lives, not just their wallets. Finally, growth opportunities exist in the United States and beyond. To ensure growing shareholder value, the company must continue to reach emerging markets.