Final answer:
The two best indicators of a company's strategic success are meeting financial and strategic objectives and increasing market share and customer base. Serious competition is marked by aggressive marketing and innovation, with technology and retail being highly competitive industries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two best indicators that can show how well a company's strategy is working are achieving its stated financial and strategic objectives and gaining customers and increasing its market share. If a company meets or exceeds its financial and strategic objectives, it generally means that its strategy is effective. Secondly, gaining customers and increasing market share are clear signs of a company's competitive strength and the appeal of its products or services in the marketplace.
Evidence of serious competition among firms includes aggressive marketing, price wars, innovation races, and rapid market fluctuations. Highly competitive industries include the technology sector, where companies are continually pushing for technological advancements, and the retail sector, which consistently sees firms battling for consumer loyalty and market presence.