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Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution

Case Study Description of Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version


Cree, a North Carolina-based maker of light emitting diodes (LEDs), has just introduced its first consumer product - an LED light bulb. It is designed as an energy efficient replacement for the ubiquitous incandescent light bulb. But given that it is an unfamiliar technology and that it costs ten times what an incandescent bulb costs, there are questions about how best to promote adoption and what sales level might be expected.

Authors :: John Gourville, Michael Norris

Topics :: Sales & Marketing

Tags :: Marketing, Sales, SWOT Analysis, SWOT Matrix, TOWS, Weighted SWOT Analysis

Swot Analysis of "Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version" written by John Gourville, Michael Norris includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Bulb Incandescent facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Marketing, Sales and Sales & Marketing.


Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version casestudy better are - – challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing transportation and logistics costs, there is backlash against globalization, increasing commodity prices, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, etc



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Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version


SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Bulb Incandescent, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Bulb Incandescent 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Bulb Incandescent
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 Bulb Incandescent




Strengths Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Bulb Incandescent in Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version Harvard Business Review case study are -

Diverse revenue streams

– Bulb Incandescent is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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.

Learning organization

- Bulb Incandescent 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 Bulb Incandescent is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.

Training and development

– Bulb Incandescent has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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

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

Operational resilience

– The operational resilience strategy in the Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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.

Sustainable margins compare to other players in Sales & Marketing industry

– Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Bulb Incandescent to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Sales & Marketing industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Bulb Incandescent to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.

Effective Research and Development (R&D)

– Bulb Incandescent 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.

Successful track record of launching new products

– Bulb Incandescent has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Bulb Incandescent 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.

High switching costs

– The high switching costs that Bulb Incandescent 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.

Organizational Resilience of Bulb Incandescent

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

Low bargaining power of suppliers

– Suppliers of Bulb Incandescent in the sector have low bargaining power. Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Bulb Incandescent to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.

Innovation driven organization

– Bulb Incandescent is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.






Weaknesses Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version are -

High operating costs

– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Bulb Incandescent 's lucrative customers.

High bargaining power of channel partners

– Because of the regulatory requirements, John Gourville, Michael Norris suggests that, Bulb Incandescent 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.

Aligning sales with marketing

– It come across in the case study Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Bulb Incandescent is planning to shift buying processes online.

Slow decision making process

– As mentioned earlier in the report, Bulb Incandescent 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. Bulb Incandescent 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.

Ability to respond to the competition

– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version, in the dynamic environment Bulb Incandescent has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Bulb Incandescent has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.

No frontier risks strategy

– After analyzing the HBR case study Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version, 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.

Interest costs

– Compare to the competition, Bulb Incandescent 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.

Capital Spending Reduction

– Even during the low interest decade, Bulb Incandescent 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 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 Bulb Incandescent supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Bulb Incandescent vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.

High dependence on star products

– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Bulb Incandescent has relatively successful track record of launching new products.

Workers concerns about automation

– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Bulb Incandescent 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version | 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version are -

Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities

– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Bulb Incandescent 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 Bulb Incandescent to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.

Leveraging digital technologies

– Bulb Incandescent 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.

Developing new processes and practices

– Bulb Incandescent 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.

Better consumer reach

– The expansion of the 5G network will help Bulb Incandescent to increase its market reach. Bulb Incandescent 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.

Redefining models of collaboration and team work

– As explained in the weaknesses section, Bulb Incandescent is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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

– Bulb Incandescent 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.

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 Bulb Incandescent in the consumer business. Now Bulb Incandescent can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.

Buying journey improvements

– Bulb Incandescent can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Bulb Incandescent has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Bulb Incandescent to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version case study. Bulb Incandescent can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.

Increase in government spending

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

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. Bulb Incandescent can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.

Building a culture of innovation

– managers at Bulb Incandescent 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.

Using analytics as competitive advantage

– Bulb Incandescent 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Bulb Incandescent to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.




Threats Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis


The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version are -

High dependence on third party suppliers

– Bulb Incandescent 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.

Regulatory challenges

– Bulb Incandescent 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.

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 Bulb Incandescent in the Sales & Marketing sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.

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 Bulb Incandescent business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.

Consumer confidence and its impact on Bulb Incandescent 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 acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution

– Bulb Incandescent has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Sales & Marketing industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Bulb Incandescent 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.

Increasing wage structure of Bulb Incandescent

– 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 Bulb Incandescent.

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. Bulb Incandescent 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. Bulb Incandescent can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.

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.

Instability in the European markets

– European Union markets are facing three big challenges post Covid – expanded balance sheets, Brexit related business disruption, and aggressive Russia looking to distract the existing security mechanism. Bulb Incandescent will face different problems in different parts of Europe. For example it will face inflationary pressures in UK, France, and Germany, balance sheet expansion and demand challenges in Southern European countries, and geopolitical instability in the Eastern Europe.

Trade war between China and United States

– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Bulb Incandescent 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 Bulb Incandescent.




Weighted SWOT Analysis of Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Cree Inc.: Introducing the LED Light Bulb, Spanish Version 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 Bulb Incandescent needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.



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