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Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution

Case Study Description of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B)


The (B) case updates the readers on the outcome of the situation described in the (A) case. It provides data on the growth of microfinance in the region. It introduces the possibility of tighter regulation on the industry through the passage of a "microfinance" bill.

Authors :: V. Kasturi Rangan, Katharine Lee

Topics :: Sales & Marketing

Tags :: Entrepreneurial finance, SWOT Analysis, SWOT Matrix, TOWS, Weighted SWOT Analysis

Swot Analysis of "Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B)" written by V. Kasturi Rangan, Katharine Lee includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Microfinance Bhavani facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Entrepreneurial finance and Sales & Marketing.


Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) casestudy better are - – there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing transportation and logistics costs, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, geopolitical disruptions, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, etc



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Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B)


SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Microfinance Bhavani, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Microfinance Bhavani operates in.

According to Harvard Business Review, 75% of the managers use SWOT analysis for various purposes such as – evaluating current scenario, strategic planning, new venture feasibility, personal growth goals, new market entry, Go To market strategies, portfolio management and strategic trade-off assessment, organizational restructuring, etc.




SWOT Objectives / Importance of SWOT Analysis and SWOT Matrix


SWOT analysis of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Microfinance Bhavani
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Sales & Marketing field.
4. Making a Sales & Marketing topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Microfinance Bhavani




Strengths Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Microfinance Bhavani in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) Harvard Business Review case study are -

Highly skilled collaborators

– Microfinance Bhavani has highly efficient outsourcing and offshoring strategy. It has resulted in greater operational flexibility and bringing down the costs in highly price sensitive segment. Secondly the value chain collaborators of the firm in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.

Learning organization

- Microfinance Bhavani is a learning organization. It has inculcated three key characters of learning organization in its processes and operations – exploration, creativity, and expansiveness. The work place at Microfinance Bhavani is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.

Training and development

– Microfinance Bhavani has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) Harvard Business Review case study by analyzing – employees retention, in-house promotion, loyalty, new venture initiation, lack of conflict, and high level of both employees and customer engagement.

Strong track record of project management

– Microfinance Bhavani is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.

Superior customer experience

– The customer experience strategy of Microfinance Bhavani in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.

Diverse revenue streams

– Microfinance Bhavani is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) case study a diverse revenue stream that has helped it to survive disruptions such as global pandemic in Covid-19, financial disruption of 2008, and supply chain disruption of 2021.

High switching costs

– The high switching costs that Microfinance Bhavani has built up over years in its products and services combo offer has resulted in high retention of customers, lower marketing costs, and greater ability of the firm to focus on its customers.

Low bargaining power of suppliers

– Suppliers of Microfinance Bhavani in the sector have low bargaining power. Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Microfinance Bhavani to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.

Operational resilience

– The operational resilience strategy in the Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) Harvard Business Review case study comprises – understanding the underlying the factors in the industry, building diversified operations across different geographies so that disruption in one part of the world doesn’t impact the overall performance of the firm, and integrating the various business operations and processes through its digital transformation drive.

Ability to lead change in Sales & Marketing field

– Microfinance Bhavani is one of the leading players in its industry. Over the years it has not only transformed the business landscape in its segment but also across the whole industry. The ability to lead change has enabled Microfinance Bhavani in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.

High brand equity

– Microfinance Bhavani has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Microfinance Bhavani to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.

Organizational Resilience of Microfinance Bhavani

– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Microfinance Bhavani does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.






Weaknesses Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) are -

Increasing silos among functional specialists

– The organizational structure of Microfinance Bhavani is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Sales & Marketing segment. Microfinance Bhavani needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Microfinance Bhavani to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.

Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy

– From the instances in the HBR case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B), it seems that the employees of Microfinance Bhavani don’t have comprehensive understanding of the firm’s strategy. This is reflected in number of promotional campaigns over the last few years that had mixed messaging and competing priorities. Some of the strategic activities and services promoted in the promotional campaigns were not consistent with the organization’s strategy.

High bargaining power of channel partners

– Because of the regulatory requirements, V. Kasturi Rangan, Katharine Lee suggests that, Microfinance Bhavani is facing high bargaining power of the channel partners. So far it has not able to streamline the operations to reduce the bargaining power of the value chain partners in the industry.

High operating costs

– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) has high operating costs in the. This can be harder to sustain given the new emerging competition from nimble players who are using technology to attract Microfinance Bhavani 's lucrative customers.

Ability to respond to the competition

– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B), in the dynamic environment Microfinance Bhavani has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Microfinance Bhavani has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.

Skills based hiring

– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Microfinance Bhavani has created an environment where the organization is dominated by functional specialists rather than management generalist. This has resulted into product oriented approach rather than marketing oriented approach or consumers oriented approach.

High cash cycle compare to competitors

Microfinance Bhavani has a high cash cycle compare to other players in the industry. It needs to shorten the cash cycle by 12% to be more competitive in the marketplace, reduce inventory costs, and be more profitable.

Slow to strategic competitive environment developments

– As Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) HBR case study mentions - Microfinance Bhavani takes time to assess the upcoming competitions. This has led to missing out on atleast 2-3 big opportunities in the industry in last five years.

Products dominated business model

– Even though Microfinance Bhavani has some of the most successful products in the industry, this business model has made each new product launch extremely critical for continuous financial growth of the organization. firm in the HBR case study - Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.

Capital Spending Reduction

– Even during the low interest decade, Microfinance Bhavani has not been able to do capital spending to the tune of the competition. This has resulted into fewer innovations and company facing stiff competition from both existing competitors and new entrants who are disrupting the industry using digital technology.

Need for greater diversity

– Microfinance Bhavani has taken concrete steps on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But the efforts so far has resulted in limited success. It needs to expand the recruitment and selection process to hire more people from the minorities and underprivileged background.




Opportunities Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) | External Strategic Factors
What are Opportunities in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis


The opportunities highlighted in the Harvard Business Review case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) are -

Manufacturing automation

– Microfinance Bhavani can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Sales & Marketing segment. It can use CAD and 3D printing to build a quick prototype and pilot testing products. It can leverage automation using machine learning and artificial intelligence to do faster production at lowers costs, and it can leverage the growth in satellite and tracking technologies to improve inventory management, transportation, and shipping.

Leveraging digital technologies

– Microfinance Bhavani can leverage digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the production process, customer analytics to get better insights into consumer behavior, realtime digital dashboards to get better sales tracking, logistics and transportation, product tracking, etc.

Better consumer reach

– The expansion of the 5G network will help Microfinance Bhavani to increase its market reach. Microfinance Bhavani will be able to reach out to new customers. Secondly 5G will also provide technology framework to build new tools and products that can help more immersive consumer experience and faster consumer journey.

Use of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies for transactions

– The popularity of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies as asset class and medium of transaction has opened new opportunities for Microfinance Bhavani in the consumer business. Now Microfinance Bhavani can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.

Using analytics as competitive advantage

– Microfinance Bhavani has spent a significant amount of money and effort to integrate analytics and machine learning into its operations in the sector. This continuous investment in analytics has enabled, as illustrated in the Harvard case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Microfinance Bhavani to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.

Increase in government spending

– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Microfinance Bhavani can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Microfinance Bhavani operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Sales & Marketing sector.

Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains

– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Microfinance Bhavani can build a diversified supply chain model across various countries in - South East Asia, India, and other parts of the world. This reconfiguration of global supply chain can help, as suggested in case study, Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B), to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.

Redefining models of collaboration and team work

– As explained in the weaknesses section, Microfinance Bhavani is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) case study suggests that firm can utilize new technology to build more coordinated teams and streamline operations and communications using tools such as CAD, Zoom, etc.

Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities

– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Microfinance Bhavani to expand its talent hiring zone. According to McKinsey Global Institute, 20% of the high end workforce in fields such as finance, information technology, can continously work from remote local post Covid-19. This presents a really great opportunity for Microfinance Bhavani to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.

Identify volunteer opportunities

– Covid-19 has impacted working population in two ways – it has led to people soul searching about their professional choices, resulting in mass resignation. Secondly it has encouraged people to do things that they are passionate about. This has opened opportunities for businesses to build volunteer oriented socially driven projects. Microfinance Bhavani can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.

Reconfiguring business model

– The expansion of digital payment system, the bringing down of international transactions costs using Bitcoin and other blockchain based currencies, etc can help Microfinance Bhavani to reconfigure its entire business model. For example it can used blockchain based technologies to reduce piracy of its products in the big markets such as China. Secondly it can use the popularity of e-commerce in various developing markets to build a Direct to Customer business model rather than the current Channel Heavy distribution network.

Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19

– Consumer behavior has changed in the Sales & Marketing industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Microfinance Bhavani can take advantage of these changes in consumer behavior to build a far more efficient business model. For example consumer regular ordering of products can reduce both last mile delivery costs and market penetration costs. Microfinance Bhavani can further use this consumer data to build better customer loyalty, provide better products and service collection, and improve the value proposition in inflationary times.

Loyalty marketing

– Microfinance Bhavani has focused on building a highly responsive customer relationship management platform. This platform is built on in-house data and driven by analytics and artificial intelligence. The customer analytics can help the organization to fine tune its loyalty marketing efforts, increase the wallet share of the organization, reduce wastage on mainstream advertising spending, build better pricing strategies using personalization, etc.




Threats Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis


The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) are -

Learning curve for new practices

– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B), Microfinance Bhavani may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Sales & Marketing .

Aging population

– As the populations of most advanced economies are aging, it will lead to high social security costs, higher savings among population, and lower demand for goods and services in the economy. The household savings in US, France, UK, Germany, and Japan are growing faster than predicted because of uncertainty caused by pandemic.

Backlash against dominant players

– US Congress and other legislative arms of the government are getting tough on big business especially technology companies. The digital arm of Microfinance Bhavani business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.

High level of anxiety and lack of motivation

– the Great Resignation in United States is the sign of broader dissatisfaction among the workforce in United States. Microfinance Bhavani needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Sales & Marketing industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.

Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins

– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Microfinance Bhavani can face downward pressure on margins from increasing competition from international players. The international players have stable revenue in their home market and can use those resources to penetrate prominent markets illustrated in HBR case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) .

Consumer confidence and its impact on Microfinance Bhavani demand

– There is a high probability of declining consumer confidence, given – high inflammation rate, rise of gig economy, lower job stability, increasing cost of living, higher interest rates, and aging demography. All the factors contribute to people saving higher rate of their income, resulting in lower consumer demand in the industry and other sectors.

Barriers of entry lowering

– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Microfinance Bhavani with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.

Stagnating economy with rate increase

– Microfinance Bhavani can face lack of demand in the market place because of Fed actions to reduce inflation. This can lead to sluggish growth in the economy, lower demands, lower investments, higher borrowing costs, and consolidation in the field.

Trade war between China and United States

– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Microfinance Bhavani in the Sales & Marketing industry. The Sales & Marketing industry is already at various protected from local competition in China, with the rise of trade war the protection levels may go up. This presents a clear threat of current business model in Chinese market.

Easy access to finance

– Easy access to finance in Sales & Marketing field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Microfinance Bhavani can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.

Capital market disruption

– During the Covid-19, Dow Jones has touched record high. The valuations of a number of companies are way beyond their existing business model potential. This can lead to capital market correction which can put a number of suppliers, collaborators, value chain partners in great financial difficulty. It will directly impact the business of Microfinance Bhavani.

Regulatory challenges

– Microfinance Bhavani needs to prepare for regulatory challenges as consumer protection groups and other pressure groups are vigorously advocating for more regulations on big business - to reduce inequality, to create a level playing field, to product data privacy and consumer privacy, to reduce the influence of big money on democratic institutions, etc. This can lead to significant changes in the Sales & Marketing industry regulations.

Environmental challenges

– Microfinance Bhavani needs to have a robust strategy against the disruptions arising from climate change and energy requirements. EU has identified it as key priority area and spending 30% of its 880 billion Euros European post Covid-19 recovery funds on green technology. Microfinance Bhavani can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Sales & Marketing industry.




Weighted SWOT Analysis of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) Template, Example


Not all factors mentioned under the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants in the SWOT Analysis are equal. Managers in the HBR case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) needs to zero down on the relative importance of each factor mentioned in the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants. We can provide the relative importance to each factor by assigning relative weights. Weighted SWOT analysis process is a three stage process –

First stage for doing weighted SWOT analysis of the case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) is to rank the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. This will help you to assess the most important strengths and weaknesses of the firm and which one of the strengths and weaknesses mentioned in the initial lists are marginal and can be left out.

Second stage for conducting weighted SWOT analysis of the Harvard case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) is to give probabilities to the external strategic factors thus better understanding the opportunities and threats arising out of macro environment changes and developments.

Third stage of constructing weighted SWOT analysis of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (B) is to provide strategic recommendations includes – joining likelihood of external strategic factors such as opportunities and threats to the internal strategic factors – strengths and weaknesses. You should start with external factors as they will provide the direction of the overall industry. Secondly by joining probabilities with internal strategic factors can help the company not only strategic fit but also the most probably strategic trade-off that Microfinance Bhavani needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.



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