Swot Analysis of "Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table" written by James K. Sebenius, Andrew Wasynczuk includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Smartix Saga.an facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Venture capital and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table casestudy better are - – geopolitical disruptions, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, wage bills are increasing, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%,
competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, technology disruption, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Smartix Saga.an, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Smartix Saga.an 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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Smartix Saga.an
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 Smartix Saga.an
Strengths Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Smartix Saga.an in Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table Harvard Business Review case study are -
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Smartix Saga.an 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 Smartix Saga.an in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Smartix Saga.an 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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Smartix Saga.an 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 recruit top talent
– Smartix Saga.an is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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 Smartix Saga.an in the sector have low bargaining power. Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Smartix Saga.an to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Strong track record of project management
– Smartix Saga.an is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Learning organization
- Smartix Saga.an 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 Smartix Saga.an is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Organizational Resilience of Smartix Saga.an
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Smartix Saga.an does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Digital Transformation in Strategy & Execution segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Smartix Saga.an digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Smartix Saga.an 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.
High brand equity
– Smartix Saga.an has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Smartix Saga.an to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Smartix Saga.an has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Smartix Saga.an 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.
Weaknesses Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table are -
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 Smartix Saga.an supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Smartix Saga.an vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Smartix Saga.an 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Smartix Saga.an, firm in the HBR case study Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table, in the dynamic environment Smartix Saga.an has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Smartix Saga.an has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table, 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 strategic competitive environment developments
– As Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table HBR case study mentions - Smartix Saga.an 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.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Smartix Saga.an 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.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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 Smartix Saga.an 's lucrative customers.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Smartix Saga.an 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 - Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Smartix Saga.an is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Strategy & Execution segment. Smartix Saga.an needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Smartix Saga.an to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Smartix Saga.an is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Opportunities Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table | 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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table are -
Leveraging digital technologies
– Smartix Saga.an 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Smartix Saga.an 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Smartix Saga.an can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
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. Smartix Saga.an 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. Smartix Saga.an 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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Smartix Saga.an 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.
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. Smartix Saga.an 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, Smartix Saga.an is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Smartix Saga.an 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.
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. Smartix Saga.an can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Buying journey improvements
– Smartix Saga.an can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Smartix Saga.an 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Smartix Saga.an 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.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Smartix Saga.an 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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Smartix Saga.an to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Threats Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table are -
Environmental challenges
– Smartix Saga.an 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. Smartix Saga.an can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
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. Smartix Saga.an 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.
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. Smartix Saga.an can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Smartix Saga.an 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.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Smartix Saga.an has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Smartix Saga.an 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.
Regulatory challenges
– Smartix Saga.an 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.
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 Smartix Saga.an business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table, Smartix Saga.an 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 Smartix Saga.an.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Smartix Saga.an 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.
Increasing wage structure of Smartix Saga.an
– 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 Smartix Saga.an.
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.
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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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 Smartix (D): Reflections from the Other Side of the Table 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 Smartix Saga.an needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
