Swot Analysis of "Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement" written by Ashish Nanda includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Settlement Aftermath facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Negotiations, Regulation and Communication.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement casestudy better are - – increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, technology disruption, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, geopolitical disruptions, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation,
digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Settlement Aftermath, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Settlement Aftermath 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 Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Settlement Aftermath
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Communication field.
4. Making a Communication topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Settlement Aftermath
Strengths Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Settlement Aftermath in Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement Harvard Business Review case study are -
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Settlement Aftermath 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.
Training and development
– Settlement Aftermath has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement 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.
Digital Transformation in Communication segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Settlement Aftermath digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Settlement Aftermath has successfully integrated the four key components of digital transformation – digital integration in processes, digital integration in marketing and customer relationship management, digital integration into the value chain, and using technology to explore new products and market opportunities.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Settlement Aftermath has innovation driven culture where significant part of the revenues are spent on the research and development activities. This has resulted in, as mentioned in case study Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Communication industry
– Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Settlement Aftermath to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Communication industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Settlement Aftermath to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Analytics focus
– Settlement Aftermath is putting a lot of focus on utilizing the power of analytics in business decision making. This has put it among the leading players in the industry. The technology infrastructure suggested by Ashish Nanda can also help it to harness the power of analytics for – marketing optimization, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, inventory management, information sharing across the value chain etc.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Settlement Aftermath in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Settlement Aftermath has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Settlement Aftermath has effective processes in place that helps in exploring new product needs, doing quick pilot testing, and then launching the products quickly using its extensive distribution network.
Strong track record of project management
– Settlement Aftermath is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Ability to lead change in Communication field
– Settlement Aftermath 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 Settlement Aftermath in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Settlement Aftermath is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Settlement Aftermath are driving operational speed, building greater agility, and keeping the organization nimble to compete with new competitors. It helps are organization to ideate new ideas, and execute them swiftly in the marketplace.
Weaknesses Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement are -
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement 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 Settlement Aftermath 's lucrative customers.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement, in the dynamic environment Settlement Aftermath has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Settlement Aftermath has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Settlement Aftermath, firm in the HBR case study Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Settlement Aftermath 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 - Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Settlement Aftermath 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.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement HBR case study still accounts for major business revenue. This dependence on star products in has resulted into insufficient focus on developing new products, even though Settlement Aftermath has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement, is just above the industry average. Settlement Aftermath needs to redesign the compensation structure and incentives to increase the revenue per employees. Some of the steps that it can take are – hiring more specialists on project basis, etc.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Settlement Aftermath is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Settlement Aftermath has a very deliberative decision making approach. This approach has resulted in prudent decisions, but it has also resulted in missing opportunities in the industry over the last five years. Settlement Aftermath even though has strong showing on digital transformation primary two stages, it has struggled to capitalize the power of digital transformation in marketing efforts and new venture efforts.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement HBR case study mentions - Settlement Aftermath 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.
Need for greater diversity
– Settlement Aftermath 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 Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement | 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 Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement are -
Buying journey improvements
– Settlement Aftermath can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement suggest that firm can provide automated chats to help consumers solve their own problems, provide online suggestions to get maximum out of the products and services, and help consumers to build a community where they can interact with each other to develop new features and uses.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Settlement Aftermath has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Settlement Aftermath to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement case study. Settlement Aftermath can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Settlement Aftermath can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Developing new processes and practices
– Settlement Aftermath can develop new processes and procedures in Communication industry using technology such as automation using artificial intelligence, real time transportation and products tracking, 3D modeling for concept development and new products pilot testing etc.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Settlement Aftermath 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 Settlement Aftermath to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Communication industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Settlement Aftermath can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Settlement Aftermath is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Settlement Aftermath can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Communication 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Settlement Aftermath 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.
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 Settlement Aftermath 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Settlement Aftermath to increase its market reach. Settlement Aftermath 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Settlement Aftermath can still utilize the low interest rates to borrow money for capital investment. Secondly it can also use the increase of government spending in infrastructure projects to get new business.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Settlement Aftermath 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, Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Threats Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement are -
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Settlement Aftermath 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 Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement .
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Settlement Aftermath is facing in Communication sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Settlement Aftermath with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Settlement Aftermath in the Communication industry. The Communication 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.
New competition
– After the dotcom bust of 2001, financial crisis of 2008-09, the business formation in US economy had declined. But in 2020 alone, there are more than 1.5 million new business applications in United States. This can lead to greater competition for Settlement Aftermath in the Communication sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement, Settlement Aftermath may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Communication .
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Settlement Aftermath 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.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Settlement Aftermath high dependence on third party suppliers can disrupt its processes and delivery mechanism. For example -the current troubles of car makers because of chip shortage is because the chip companies started producing chips for electronic companies rather than car manufacturers.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Communication field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Settlement Aftermath can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Settlement Aftermath 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.
Technology disruption because of hacks, piracy etc
– The colonial pipeline illustrated, how vulnerable modern organization are to international hackers, miscreants, and disruptors. The cyber security interruption, data leaks, etc can seriously jeopardize the future growth of the organization.
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. Settlement Aftermath needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Communication industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement 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 Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement 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 Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement 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 Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement 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 Analyst Conflicts (B): Aftermath of the Settlement 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 Settlement Aftermath needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
