How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Strategy & Execution
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses
Managing a multibusiness enterprise on a global scale brings a level of complexity that is virtually impossible to handle with a simple straight-line, top-down hierarchy. A matrix offers a solution -- yet it is tricky to manage. In a matrix organization, senior managers have overlapping responsibilities, frequently answering to two bosses: one with a remit for a certain region, another for a business group or product family, with solid-line and dotted-line reporting relationships to each. Based on the authors' experiences of matrix organizations, they identify five keys to successful matrix management: a strong and positive corporate culture; the right people in the right places; clear roles and responsibilities in decision processes; shared performance measures and rewards; and extraordinary communications. This article analyzes each of these keys, stressing how all five must work in concert if they are to enable the smooth functioning of a matrix organization. As the globalization of markets continues apace, the need for matrix management will only intensify, demanding that leaders adopt the right mind-set and commit the time and effort required to make the matrix work.
Swot Analysis of "How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses" written by Nick Shreiber, Mike Rosenberg includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Matrix Bosses facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses casestudy better are - – central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, increasing commodity prices, there is backlash against globalization, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models,
geopolitical disruptions, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Matrix Bosses, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Matrix Bosses 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 How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Matrix Bosses
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 Matrix Bosses
Strengths How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Matrix Bosses in How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses Harvard Business Review case study are -
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses 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.
Innovation driven organization
– Matrix Bosses is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Organizational Resilience of Matrix Bosses
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Matrix Bosses does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Ability to lead change in Strategy & Execution field
– Matrix Bosses 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 Matrix Bosses in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Analytics focus
– Matrix Bosses 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 Nick Shreiber, Mike Rosenberg 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.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Matrix Bosses 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.
Digital Transformation in Strategy & Execution segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Matrix Bosses digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Matrix Bosses 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.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Matrix Bosses 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 How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Matrix Bosses are driving operational speed, building greater agility, and keeping the organization nimble to compete with new competitors. It helps are organization to ideate new ideas, and execute them swiftly in the marketplace.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Matrix Bosses in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Matrix Bosses has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Matrix Bosses 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.
Diverse revenue streams
– Matrix Bosses is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses case study a diverse revenue stream that has helped it to survive disruptions such as global pandemic in Covid-19, financial disruption of 2008, and supply chain disruption of 2021.
Weaknesses How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses are -
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Matrix Bosses 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.
Lack of clear differentiation of Matrix Bosses products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Matrix Bosses needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Matrix Bosses 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.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Matrix Bosses 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.
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 Matrix Bosses supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Matrix Bosses vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Matrix Bosses is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Strategy & Execution segment. Matrix Bosses needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Matrix Bosses to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses HBR case study mentions - Matrix Bosses 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.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Matrix Bosses 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses, it seems that the employees of Matrix Bosses 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.
Need for greater diversity
– Matrix Bosses 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.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses 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 Matrix Bosses 's lucrative customers.
Opportunities How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses | 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 How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses are -
Buying journey improvements
– Matrix Bosses can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Matrix Bosses 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Matrix Bosses 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 Matrix Bosses to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Matrix Bosses 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.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Matrix Bosses has spent a significant amount of money and effort to integrate analytics and machine learning into its operations in the sector. This continuous investment in analytics has enabled, as illustrated in the Harvard case study How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Matrix Bosses to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
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. Matrix Bosses 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. Matrix Bosses 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.
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. Matrix Bosses can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Matrix Bosses can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Matrix Bosses operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.
Developing new processes and practices
– Matrix Bosses 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.
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. Matrix Bosses can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Matrix Bosses 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.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Matrix Bosses 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, How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Matrix Bosses can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Threats How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses are -
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Matrix Bosses with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Matrix Bosses is facing in Strategy & Execution sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
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.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses, Matrix Bosses 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 .
Environmental challenges
– Matrix Bosses 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. Matrix Bosses 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 Matrix Bosses business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
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 Matrix Bosses.
Increasing wage structure of Matrix Bosses
– 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 Matrix Bosses.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Matrix Bosses 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.
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 Matrix Bosses in the Strategy & Execution sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Matrix Bosses has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Matrix Bosses 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.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Matrix Bosses 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 How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses .
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. Matrix Bosses needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses 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 How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses 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 How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses 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 How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses 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 How to Make the Matrix Work: Answering to Multiple Bosses 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 Matrix Bosses needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.