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 - – increasing energy prices, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, increasing transportation and logistics costs, technology disruption, there is increasing trade war between United States & China,
increasing commodity prices, there is backlash against globalization, 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 -
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.
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.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Defenders Architecture in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
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.
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.
Organizational Resilience of Defenders Architecture
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Defenders Architecture does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
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.
Analytics focus
– Defenders Architecture 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 Stanley F. Slater, Eric M. Olson, G. Tomas M. Hult 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.
Digital Transformation in Strategy & Execution segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Defenders Architecture digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Defenders Architecture 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.
Learning organization
- Defenders Architecture 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 Defenders Architecture is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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.
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.
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 -
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Defenders Architecture has created an environment where the organization is dominated by functional specialists rather than management generalist. This has resulted into product oriented approach rather than marketing oriented approach or consumers oriented approach.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role HBR case study mentions - Defenders Architecture 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.
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.
Lack of clear differentiation of Defenders Architecture products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Defenders Architecture needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
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 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.
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.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Stanley F. Slater, Eric M. Olson, G. Tomas M. Hult suggests that, Defenders Architecture 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.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Defenders Architecture 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.
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.
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 -
Buying journey improvements
– Defenders Architecture can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Worried about Strategy Implementation? Don't overlook Marketing's Role 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.
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.
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 Defenders Architecture in the consumer business. Now Defenders Architecture can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Defenders Architecture 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.
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. Defenders Architecture 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. Defenders Architecture 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
– 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 -
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.
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.
Increasing wage structure of Defenders Architecture
– Post Covid-19 there is a sharp increase in the wages especially in the jobs that require interaction with people. The increasing wages can put downward pressure on the margins of Defenders Architecture.
Regulatory challenges
– Defenders Architecture 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.
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 .
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 .
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 Defenders Architecture.
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 Defenders Architecture 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Environmental challenges
– Defenders Architecture 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. Defenders Architecture can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
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.