Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Strategy & Execution
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments
It is too easy to blame market turbulence or unexpected events for a company's poor performance; yet, this is frequently the response of managers to circumstances and activities beyond their immediate control. As a consequence, managers and owners often fail to develop strategies for coping with challenge or crisis the next time it occurs. The result is that many organizations are doomed to repeat the same or similar mistakes over and over again in a form of corporate dA?jA? vu. To gain insights regarding how companies can better manage in hostile environments, we consider the solutions that have evolved in nature over billions of years. We trace nature's codes for adapting to hostile environments and explore the underlying characteristics of four genetic code types that can help business organizations to offset the negative implications of hostility through ensuring strategic fit. We then link the four genetic codes most frequently found in nature with organizational capabilities. When correctly identified and leveraged, these capabilities can enable a company to focus attention and resources on how to manage successfully in hostile environments.
Authors :: Thomas Lawton, Tazeeb Rajwani, Patrick Reinmoeller
Swot Analysis of "Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments" written by Thomas Lawton, Tazeeb Rajwani, Patrick Reinmoeller includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Hostile Codes facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, International business, Strategy and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments casestudy better are - – competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, geopolitical disruptions, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, increasing energy prices, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic ,
increasing commodity prices, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Hostile Codes, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Hostile Codes 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Hostile Codes
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 Hostile Codes
Strengths Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Hostile Codes in Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments Harvard Business Review case study are -
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Hostile Codes to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Hostile Codes to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Hostile Codes 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 Hostile Codes 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
– Hostile Codes has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Hostile Codes 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.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Hostile Codes 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.
Ability to lead change in Strategy & Execution field
– Hostile Codes 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 Hostile Codes in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
High brand equity
– Hostile Codes has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Hostile Codes to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Digital Transformation in Strategy & Execution segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Hostile Codes digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Hostile Codes 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)
– Hostile Codes 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Diverse revenue streams
– Hostile Codes is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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
– Hostile Codes is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Hostile Codes in the sector have low bargaining power. Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Hostile Codes to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Weaknesses Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments are -
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Hostile Codes 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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Hostile Codes is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments, 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 operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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 Hostile Codes 's lucrative customers.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Hostile Codes has some of the most successful products in the industry, this business model has made each new product launch extremely critical for continuous financial growth of the organization. firm in the HBR case study - Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Hostile Codes, firm in the HBR case study Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Hostile Codes 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.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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 Hostile Codes has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments, in the dynamic environment Hostile Codes has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Hostile Codes has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
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 Hostile Codes supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Hostile Codes vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Hostile Codes 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.
Opportunities Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments | 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments are -
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Hostile Codes can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Hostile Codes operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Hostile Codes to increase its market reach. Hostile Codes 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Hostile Codes 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Hostile Codes 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.
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. Hostile Codes 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. Hostile Codes 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.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Hostile Codes is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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.
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. Hostile Codes can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
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. Hostile Codes can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
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 Hostile Codes 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Hostile Codes 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.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Hostile Codes 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Hostile Codes to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Buying journey improvements
– Hostile Codes can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Hostile Codes 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments are -
Environmental challenges
– Hostile Codes 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. Hostile Codes can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Hostile Codes 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.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Hostile Codes 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
– Hostile Codes 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.
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 Hostile Codes in the Strategy & Execution sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
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 Hostile Codes business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Hostile Codes is facing in Strategy & Execution sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Hostile Codes has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Hostile Codes 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, Hostile Codes 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments .
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. Hostile Codes 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 Hostile Codes 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.
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. Hostile Codes 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.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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 Do You Have A Survival Instinct? Leveraging Genetic Codes To Achieve Fit In Hostile Business Environments 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 Hostile Codes needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
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