United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Strategy & Execution
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue
In June 2012, the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington chapter of the United Way had the opportunity to present its views at an upcoming public forum on a proposal to build a casino in Kingston, Ontario. The possibility of a casino in Kingston was a controversial and emotional topic; it was supported by influential business and government leaders but also had many detractors. Pro-casino advocates said a casino would create jobs, spur local business, and contribute millions of tax dollars to municipal coffers. Opponents contended that the social costs of a casino would outweigh the touted economic benefits and that a casino would lead to an increase in problem gambling. City councillors were evenly divided on the issue. For the United Way, many of the proponents and opponents alike were active and financially supportive of the organization. The United Way was asked to take a stand, and yet was hesitant to enter into a political debate. Was it possible for the United Way to uphold its values without alienating pro-business donors and local government officials? Anthony Goerzen is affiliated with Queen's University. Luke Fiske is affiliated with Smith School of Business.
Swot Analysis of "United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue" written by Anthony Goerzen, Luke Fiske includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Casino Kingston facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Leadership, Strategy and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue casestudy better are - – digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, increasing commodity prices, there is backlash against globalization, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , increasing transportation and logistics costs, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%,
increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, geopolitical disruptions, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Casino Kingston, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Casino Kingston 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 United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Casino Kingston
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 Casino Kingston
Strengths United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Casino Kingston in United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue Harvard Business Review case study are -
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Casino Kingston in the sector have low bargaining power. United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Casino Kingston to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue Harvard Business Review case study comprises – understanding the underlying the factors in the industry, building diversified operations across different geographies so that disruption in one part of the world doesn’t impact the overall performance of the firm, and integrating the various business operations and processes through its digital transformation drive.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Casino Kingston 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.
Analytics focus
– Casino Kingston 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 Anthony Goerzen, Luke Fiske 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.
Organizational Resilience of Casino Kingston
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Casino Kingston does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Learning organization
- Casino Kingston 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 Casino Kingston is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Strong track record of project management
– Casino Kingston is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Casino Kingston to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Casino Kingston to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Training and development
– Casino Kingston has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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.
Diverse revenue streams
– Casino Kingston is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Casino Kingston 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 United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
High brand equity
– Casino Kingston has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Casino Kingston to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Weaknesses United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue are -
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Anthony Goerzen, Luke Fiske suggests that, Casino Kingston 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 operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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 Casino Kingston 's lucrative customers.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue, is just above the industry average. Casino Kingston 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.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Casino Kingston 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, Casino Kingston 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.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Casino Kingston is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Strategy & Execution segment. Casino Kingston needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Casino Kingston to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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 Casino Kingston has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue HBR case study mentions - Casino Kingston 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.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue, in the dynamic environment Casino Kingston has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Casino Kingston 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 United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Strategy & Execution 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue, it seems that the employees of Casino Kingston 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.
Opportunities United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue | 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 United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue are -
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Casino Kingston is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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.
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 Casino Kingston 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Casino Kingston can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Strategy & Execution 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Casino Kingston can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Casino Kingston operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.
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 Casino Kingston in the consumer business. Now Casino Kingston can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Casino Kingston 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 Casino Kingston to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Casino Kingston 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Casino Kingston 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, Casino Kingston 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, United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
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. Casino Kingston 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. Casino Kingston 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Casino Kingston 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.
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. Casino Kingston 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 Casino Kingston in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Strategy & Execution segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Threats United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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. Casino Kingston needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
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. Casino Kingston can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Casino Kingston in the Strategy & Execution industry. The Strategy & Execution 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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Casino Kingston can face lack of demand in the market place because of Fed actions to reduce inflation. This can lead to sluggish growth in the economy, lower demands, lower investments, higher borrowing costs, and consolidation in the field.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Casino Kingston can face downward pressure on margins from increasing competition from international players. The international players have stable revenue in their home market and can use those resources to penetrate prominent markets illustrated in HBR case study United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue .
Environmental challenges
– Casino Kingston 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. Casino Kingston can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
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 Casino Kingston business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
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. Casino Kingston 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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Casino Kingston 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 Casino Kingston demand
– There is a high probability of declining consumer confidence, given – high inflammation rate, rise of gig economy, lower job stability, increasing cost of living, higher interest rates, and aging demography. All the factors contribute to people saving higher rate of their income, resulting in lower consumer demand in the industry and other sectors.
Capital market disruption
– During the Covid-19, Dow Jones has touched record high. The valuations of a number of companies are way beyond their existing business model potential. This can lead to capital market correction which can put a number of suppliers, collaborators, value chain partners in great financial difficulty. It will directly impact the business of Casino Kingston.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue, Casino Kingston may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Strategy & Execution .
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 Casino Kingston in the Strategy & Execution sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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 United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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 United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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 United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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 United Way: Taking a Public Stance on a Controversial Issue 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 Casino Kingston needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
