Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Strategy & Execution
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game
The case illustrates how Mad Head Limited ("Mad Head"), the developer of a smash hit mobile game, Tower of Saviors ("TOS"), became financially successful by imitating another well-known product on the market. The story presents background on the founders and the company from its inception as an e-cards business to the release of TOS. The case is intended to stimulate debates on topics such as imitation vs. innovation, viable business models for start-ups and the ethical concerns associated with an imitative approach. If time permits, the instructor can also guide discussion to more in-depth topics such as the distinction between Schumpeter's and Kirzner's views on entrepreneurship and their economic implications.
Swot Analysis of "Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game" written by Yanfeng Zheng, Chris Corbishley includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Saviors Tos facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Ethics, Social enterprise and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game casestudy better are - – there is increasing trade war between United States & China, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, geopolitical disruptions,
increasing commodity prices, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Saviors Tos, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Saviors Tos 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 Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Saviors Tos
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Strategy & Execution field.
4. Making a Strategy & Execution topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Saviors Tos
Strengths Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Saviors Tos in Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game Harvard Business Review case study are -
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Saviors Tos 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 Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Learning organization
- Saviors Tos 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 Saviors Tos is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Innovation driven organization
– Saviors Tos is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Saviors Tos in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Saviors Tos to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Saviors Tos to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Saviors Tos is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Organizational Resilience of Saviors Tos
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Saviors Tos does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Strong track record of project management
– Saviors Tos 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
– Saviors Tos is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Saviors Tos has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Saviors Tos 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.
Ability to lead change in Strategy & Execution field
– Saviors Tos 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 Saviors Tos in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Digital Transformation in Strategy & Execution segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Saviors Tos digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Saviors Tos 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.
Weaknesses Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game are -
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Yanfeng Zheng, Chris Corbishley suggests that, Saviors Tos 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.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Saviors Tos 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.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game 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 Saviors Tos 's lucrative customers.
Need for greater diversity
– Saviors Tos 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Saviors Tos, firm in the HBR case study Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game HBR case study mentions - Saviors Tos 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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Saviors Tos is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game, is just above the industry average. Saviors Tos 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.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Saviors Tos 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Saviors Tos 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 - Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Saviors Tos 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. Saviors Tos 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.
Opportunities Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game | 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 Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game are -
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Strategy & Execution industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Saviors Tos 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. Saviors Tos 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.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Saviors Tos has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Saviors Tos to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game case study. Saviors Tos can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Developing new processes and practices
– Saviors Tos can develop new processes and procedures in Strategy & Execution 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Saviors Tos can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Saviors Tos 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, Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Strategy & Execution industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Saviors Tos can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
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 Saviors Tos in the consumer business. Now Saviors Tos can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Saviors Tos 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Saviors Tos 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Saviors Tos 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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Saviors Tos 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 Strategy & Execution segment.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Saviors Tos to increase its market reach. Saviors Tos 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.
Reconfiguring business model
– The expansion of digital payment system, the bringing down of international transactions costs using Bitcoin and other blockchain based currencies, etc can help Saviors Tos to reconfigure its entire business model. For example it can used blockchain based technologies to reduce piracy of its products in the big markets such as China. Secondly it can use the popularity of e-commerce in various developing markets to build a Direct to Customer business model rather than the current Channel Heavy distribution network.
Threats Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game are -
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.
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.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Strategy & Execution field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Saviors Tos can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
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. Saviors Tos 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.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Saviors Tos has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Saviors Tos needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Strategy & Execution 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.
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. Saviors Tos needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
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 Saviors Tos business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Saviors Tos 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
– Saviors Tos 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
– Saviors Tos 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 Strategy & Execution industry regulations.
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 Saviors Tos.
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 Saviors Tos in the Strategy & Execution sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Environmental challenges
– Saviors Tos 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. Saviors Tos can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game 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 Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game 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 Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game 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 Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game 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 Tower of Saviors or Toilet of Plagiarists? The Tale of a Mobile Game 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 Saviors Tos needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.