Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Sales & Marketing
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign
Marketing experts have long been frustrated by the limited number of tools available to measure the impact of communications campaigns. New tools are now being researched and tested that mine social media forums for information to track a campaign's efficacy. In this case, students will gain an understanding of this tool and its ability to measure the success of an advertising campaign launched to reposition the Cadillac brand.
Swot Analysis of "Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign" written by Oded Netzer includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Measure Track facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Market research, Social platforms and Sales & Marketing.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign casestudy better are - – talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, technology disruption, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, there is backlash against globalization, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic ,
customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Measure Track, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Measure Track 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 Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Measure Track
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 Measure Track
Strengths Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Measure Track in Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign Harvard Business Review case study are -
Organizational Resilience of Measure Track
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Measure Track does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Measure Track has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Measure Track 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.
Analytics focus
– Measure Track 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 Oded Netzer 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Measure Track is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Measure Track in the sector have low bargaining power. Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Measure Track to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Measure Track 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 Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Measure Track 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Measure Track 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 Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Training and development
– Measure Track has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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
– Measure Track is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Diverse revenue streams
– Measure Track is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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.
Weaknesses Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign are -
Need for greater diversity
– Measure Track 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.
Lack of clear differentiation of Measure Track products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Measure Track needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Measure Track 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Measure Track 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 - Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Measure Track is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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, Measure Track 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. Measure Track 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.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Measure Track is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Sales & Marketing segment. Measure Track needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Measure Track to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Measure Track 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.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Measure Track 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.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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 Measure Track 's lucrative customers.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign, in the dynamic environment Measure Track has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Measure Track has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Opportunities Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign | 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 Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign are -
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Measure Track can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Measure Track can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Measure Track operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Sales & Marketing sector.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Measure Track 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 Measure Track to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Measure Track to increase its market reach. Measure Track 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Measure Track 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Measure Track 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.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Measure Track 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.
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 Measure Track in the consumer business. Now Measure Track can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Measure Track 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, Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Measure Track 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.
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. Measure Track 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. Measure Track 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Measure Track 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.
Buying journey improvements
– Measure Track can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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.
Threats Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign are -
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 Measure Track business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Measure Track 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.
Regulatory challenges
– Measure Track 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.
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. Measure Track needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Sales & Marketing industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Measure Track 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 Sales & Marketing field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Measure Track 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.
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 Measure Track.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Measure Track with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Measure Track 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.
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.
Environmental challenges
– Measure Track 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. Measure Track can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Sales & Marketing industry.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign, Measure Track 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 .
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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 Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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 Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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 Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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 Using Social Media Data to Track the Effectiveness of a Communications Campaign 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 Measure Track needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
