Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Sales & Marketing
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation
Greatly enriched by the Internet, the purchase decision process of customers has changed. Until a few years ago, the decision making involved in the purchasing process of a person or company that wanted to buy a product or service was more limited, as the scope for gathering information was confined to the so-called mass media (television, radio, press) and personal recommendation. Nowadays, the fact that our potential customers can get information from the Internet forces us to pay more attention to the online environment. We need to know it, understand it and find formulas that will accelerate the purchase decision process. For all these reasons, the Internet has become an essential medium.The purpose of this technical note is to introduce the online world and the strategies and tactics that will help us make our products and services more visible and establish closer contact with our customers.
Authors :: Luis Ferrandiz, Rosa Fernandez-Velilla, Julian Villanueva
Swot Analysis of "Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation" written by Luis Ferrandiz, Rosa Fernandez-Velilla, Julian Villanueva includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Internet Medium.the facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, IT, Marketing and Sales & Marketing.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation casestudy better are - – increasing transportation and logistics costs, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing energy prices, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, increasing commodity prices, technology disruption, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings,
wage bills are increasing, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Internet Medium.the, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Internet Medium.the 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Internet Medium.the
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 Internet Medium.the
Strengths Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Internet Medium.the in Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation Harvard Business Review case study are -
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Internet Medium.the 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Internet Medium.the 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.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Sales & Marketing industry
– Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Internet Medium.the to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Sales & Marketing industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Internet Medium.the to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Ability to lead change in Sales & Marketing field
– Internet Medium.the 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 Internet Medium.the in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Training and development
– Internet Medium.the has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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.
Organizational Resilience of Internet Medium.the
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Internet Medium.the does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Strong track record of project management
– Internet Medium.the is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Learning organization
- Internet Medium.the 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 Internet Medium.the is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Internet Medium.the has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Internet Medium.the 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Internet Medium.the 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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.
High brand equity
– Internet Medium.the has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Internet Medium.the to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Weaknesses Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation are -
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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 Internet Medium.the 's lucrative customers.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation that the firm needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department in the case Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Internet Medium.the is planning to shift buying processes online.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Internet Medium.the 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Internet Medium.the, firm in the HBR case study Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation, it seems that the employees of Internet Medium.the 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.
Need for greater diversity
– Internet Medium.the 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Internet Medium.the 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 - Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Sales & Marketing strategy. But it has very little resources allocation to manage the risks emerging from events such as natural disasters, climate change, melting of permafrost, tacking the rise of artificial intelligence, opportunities and threats emerging from commercialization of space etc.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation HBR case study mentions - Internet Medium.the 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.
High dependence on existing supply chain
– The disruption in the global supply chains because of the Covid-19 pandemic and blockage of the Suez Canal illustrated the fragile nature of Internet Medium.the supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Internet Medium.the vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Internet Medium.the has borrowed money from the capital market at higher rates. It needs to restructure the interest payment and costs so that it can compete better and improve profitability.
Opportunities Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation | 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation are -
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Internet Medium.the can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Internet Medium.the to conduct training and development for its employees across the world. This will result in not only reducing the cost of training but also help employees in different part of the world to integrate with the headquarter work culture, ethos, and standards.
Developing new processes and practices
– Internet Medium.the can develop new processes and procedures in Sales & Marketing 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.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Sales & Marketing industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Internet Medium.the can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Internet Medium.the 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, Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Internet Medium.the 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.
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. Internet Medium.the 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. Internet Medium.the 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Internet Medium.the 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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Internet Medium.the can make experimentation a productive activity and build a culture of innovation using approaches such as – mining transaction data, A/B testing of websites and selling platforms, engaging potential customers over various needs, and building on small ideas in the Sales & Marketing segment.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Internet Medium.the has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Internet Medium.the to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation case study. Internet Medium.the can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Internet Medium.the is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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.
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. Internet Medium.the can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Internet Medium.the to increase its market reach. Internet Medium.the 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.
Threats Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation are -
Regulatory challenges
– Internet Medium.the 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.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Internet Medium.the 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation .
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.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Internet Medium.the 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.
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 Internet Medium.the.
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. Internet Medium.the needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Sales & Marketing industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
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 Internet Medium.the in the Sales & Marketing sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Internet Medium.the 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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Internet Medium.the 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.
Increasing wage structure of Internet Medium.the
– Post Covid-19 there is a sharp increase in the wages especially in the jobs that require interaction with people. The increasing wages can put downward pressure on the margins of Internet Medium.the.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Internet Medium.the has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Sales & Marketing industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Internet Medium.the needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Sales & Marketing sector. According to Mckinsey study top managers believe that the adoption of technology in operations, communications is 20-25 times faster than what they planned in the beginning of 2019.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Internet Medium.the with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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. Internet Medium.the can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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 Web Strategies and Site Traffic Generation 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 Internet Medium.the needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.