Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Sales & Marketing
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research
Global Development Network (GDN), an international public organization, supports research in developing and transition economies to advance social and economic development. During April 2011 -August 2013, it conducted a communication project titled ''Supporting Policy Research to Inform Agricultural Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia''. The project group was tasked to design and deliver a communication program to inform policymakers and other relevant target audiences across a vast geography covering Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and the world at large. Now the team at GDN was evaluating the experience to learn and improve their communication program for the next project. Tuhin Sen, the lead strategist at GDN was wondering if the outreach strategy was appropriate and how it could have been better given the intangibility of a research output that was to be disseminated to unique users such as policymakers across a diverse geography of Asia and Africa.
Swot Analysis of "Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research" written by Kumar Rakesh Ranjan, Shainesh G includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Gdn Policymakers facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Economic development, Supply chain and Sales & Marketing.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research casestudy better are - – customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, increasing energy prices, geopolitical disruptions,
there is backlash against globalization, technology disruption, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Gdn Policymakers, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Gdn Policymakers 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 Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Gdn Policymakers
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 Gdn Policymakers
Strengths Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Gdn Policymakers in Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research Harvard Business Review case study are -
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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.
Training and development
– Gdn Policymakers has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Gdn Policymakers 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 Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Digital Transformation in Sales & Marketing segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Gdn Policymakers digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Gdn Policymakers 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.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Gdn Policymakers in the sector have low bargaining power. Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Gdn Policymakers to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Gdn Policymakers 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.
Strong track record of project management
– Gdn Policymakers is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
High brand equity
– Gdn Policymakers has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Gdn Policymakers to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Innovation driven organization
– Gdn Policymakers is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Sales & Marketing industry
– Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Gdn Policymakers to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Sales & Marketing industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Gdn Policymakers to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Gdn Policymakers 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
– Gdn Policymakers has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Gdn Policymakers 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.
Weaknesses Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research are -
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Gdn Policymakers is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Need for greater diversity
– Gdn Policymakers 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research, it seems that the employees of Gdn Policymakers 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.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research, is just above the industry average. Gdn Policymakers 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.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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 Gdn Policymakers 's lucrative customers.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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 Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Gdn Policymakers is planning to shift buying processes online.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Gdn Policymakers 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. Gdn Policymakers 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.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Gdn Policymakers 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
Gdn Policymakers 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Gdn Policymakers 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 - Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Gdn Policymakers needs to come up with a strategy to reduce the workers concern regarding automation. Without a clear strategy, it could lead to disruption and uncertainty within the organization.
Opportunities Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research | 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 Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research are -
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 Gdn Policymakers in the consumer business. Now Gdn Policymakers can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
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. Gdn Policymakers can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Gdn Policymakers in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Sales & Marketing segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Manufacturing automation
– Gdn Policymakers 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Gdn Policymakers 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
– Gdn Policymakers 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.
Buying journey improvements
– Gdn Policymakers can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Gdn Policymakers can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Gdn Policymakers operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Sales & Marketing sector.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Gdn Policymakers is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Gdn Policymakers 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.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Gdn Policymakers 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, Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Gdn Policymakers 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.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Gdn Policymakers has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Gdn Policymakers to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research case study. Gdn Policymakers can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Threats Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research are -
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. Gdn Policymakers needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Sales & Marketing industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
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. Gdn Policymakers can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
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.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Gdn Policymakers is facing in Sales & Marketing sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research, Gdn Policymakers 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 .
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 Gdn Policymakers business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Environmental challenges
– Gdn Policymakers 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. Gdn Policymakers can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Sales & Marketing industry.
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 Gdn Policymakers in the Sales & Marketing sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Gdn Policymakers 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.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Gdn Policymakers has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Sales & Marketing industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Gdn Policymakers 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 Gdn Policymakers with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Gdn Policymakers 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.
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 Gdn Policymakers.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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 Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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 Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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 Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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 Global Development Network: Communicating Agricultural Policy Research 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 Gdn Policymakers needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
