Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
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Case Study Description of Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role
Many executives and scholars have argued that effective strategy implementation is at least as important as-if not more important than-developing a brilliant strategy. While there are several extant viewpoints regarding what is required for successful strategy implementation, perhaps the most influential perspective is that business success requires a fit between strategy and organizational architecture. Organizational architecture subsumes structural variables and capabilities. For the past 10 years, we have studied the performance implications of matching marketing's organizational architecture to four generic business strategies: Prospectors, Analyzers, Low-Cost Defenders, and Differentiated Defenders. Through six empirical studies we have identified best practice matches between these strategy types and: (1) marketing organization culture, (2) marketing strategy, (3) market strategy formation process, (4) market-focused strategic organizational behaviors, (5) marketing organization structure, and (6) marketing control systems. In this article, we bring together findings from each of these studies to provide a comprehensive overview of those marketing actions and policies that are associated with superior firm performance.
Authors :: Stanley F. Slater, Eric M. Olson, G. Tomas M. Hult
Swot Analysis of "Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role" written by Stanley F. Slater, Eric M. Olson, G. Tomas M. Hult includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Defenders Architecture facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Organizational structure, Strategic planning, Strategy execution and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role casestudy better are - – challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, geopolitical disruptions,
talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, increasing energy prices, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Defenders Architecture, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Defenders Architecture 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Defenders Architecture
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 Defenders Architecture
Strengths Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Defenders Architecture in Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role Harvard Business Review case study are -
Ability to lead change in Strategy & Execution field
– Defenders Architecture 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 Defenders Architecture in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Defenders Architecture 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
High brand equity
– Defenders Architecture has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Defenders Architecture to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Defenders Architecture 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.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Defenders Architecture 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role - 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
– Defenders Architecture has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Defenders Architecture 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.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Defenders Architecture to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Defenders Architecture to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Training and development
– Defenders Architecture has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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
– Defenders Architecture is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Innovation driven organization
– Defenders Architecture is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Diverse revenue streams
– Defenders Architecture is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Defenders Architecture is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Weaknesses Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role are -
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role, it seems that the employees of Defenders Architecture 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Defenders Architecture, firm in the HBR case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Defenders Architecture is planning to shift buying processes online.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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 Defenders Architecture 's lucrative customers.
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 Defenders Architecture supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Defenders Architecture vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Defenders Architecture 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. Defenders Architecture 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.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role, 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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Defenders Architecture is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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 Defenders Architecture has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Defenders Architecture 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.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role, in the dynamic environment Defenders Architecture has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Defenders Architecture has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Opportunities Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role | 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role are -
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Defenders Architecture is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Defenders Architecture 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Defenders Architecture 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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Defenders Architecture 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.
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 Defenders Architecture 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.
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. Defenders Architecture can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Defenders Architecture can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Defenders Architecture 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.
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. Defenders Architecture can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Defenders Architecture has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Defenders Architecture to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role case study. Defenders Architecture can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Defenders Architecture to increase its market reach. Defenders Architecture 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Defenders Architecture 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Defenders Architecture can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Defenders Architecture operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.
Threats Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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.
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. Defenders Architecture 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. Defenders Architecture can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role, Defenders Architecture 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 .
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Defenders Architecture is facing in Strategy & Execution sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Defenders Architecture 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.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Defenders Architecture 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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Defenders Architecture with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Defenders Architecture 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role .
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 Defenders Architecture in the Strategy & Execution sector and impact the bottomline 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. Defenders Architecture 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.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Defenders Architecture 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.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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 Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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 Defenders Architecture needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
