THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
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Case Study Description of THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry
Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry for product #PON443.Two-party, multi-issue, scoreable negotiation regarding a prenuptial agreement, calling for a balance of substantive and relationship concerns. Marlene Mayberry and Jacques Parker are young adults planning their marriage. After dating for 3 years, they have prepared a list of 10 assets that they have decided to include in a prenuptial agreement. The items include a joint checking account, a car, an apartment, furniture, an art gallery, Jacques' artwork, a portrait of Marlene, California real estate, a $1 million inheritance, and a pet dog. Jacques and Marlene are given confidential instructions that outline specific point values and resistance points for these items. They will each be awarded "Tangible Points" for the assets they claim for themselves in the prenuptial agreement. This is a role play case.
Swot Analysis of "THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry" written by Nicholas Sabin includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Marlene Mayberry facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Conflict, Financial analysis, Negotiations and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry casestudy better are - – increasing commodity prices, 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, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, increasing energy prices,
wage bills are increasing, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Marlene Mayberry, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Marlene Mayberry
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 Marlene Mayberry
Strengths THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Marlene Mayberry in THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry Harvard Business Review case study are -
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Marlene Mayberry in the sector have low bargaining power. THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Marlene Mayberry to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Organizational Resilience of Marlene Mayberry
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Marlene Mayberry does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Learning organization
- Marlene Mayberry 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 Marlene Mayberry is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Marlene Mayberry in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Marlene Mayberry 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Marlene Mayberry has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Marlene Mayberry 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Marlene Mayberry is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
High brand equity
– Marlene Mayberry has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Marlene Mayberry to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Diverse revenue streams
– Marlene Mayberry is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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.
Strong track record of project management
– Marlene Mayberry is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Weaknesses THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry are -
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Marlene Mayberry is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Marlene Mayberry has a very deliberative decision making approach. This approach has resulted in prudent decisions, but it has also resulted in missing opportunities in the industry over the last five years. Marlene Mayberry even though has strong showing on digital transformation primary two stages, it has struggled to capitalize the power of digital transformation in marketing efforts and new venture efforts.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry, it seems that the employees of Marlene Mayberry 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.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Marlene Mayberry 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.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Marlene Mayberry 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 cash cycle compare to competitors
Marlene Mayberry 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.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry, in the dynamic environment Marlene Mayberry has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry, 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, Nicholas Sabin suggests that, Marlene Mayberry 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.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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 Marlene Mayberry 's lucrative customers.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry HBR case study mentions - Marlene Mayberry 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.
Opportunities THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry | 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry are -
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Marlene Mayberry is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Marlene Mayberry 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Marlene Mayberry can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Marlene Mayberry 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, THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
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. Marlene Mayberry 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
– Marlene Mayberry can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Marlene Mayberry 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.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Marlene Mayberry to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Manufacturing automation
– Marlene Mayberry 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.
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 Marlene Mayberry 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Marlene Mayberry 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 Marlene Mayberry to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Marlene Mayberry to increase its market reach. Marlene Mayberry 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Marlene Mayberry 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.
Threats THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry are -
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. Marlene Mayberry 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.
Regulatory challenges
– Marlene Mayberry 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.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Marlene Mayberry 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. Marlene Mayberry can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Marlene Mayberry 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.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Marlene Mayberry is facing in Strategy & Execution sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
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. Marlene Mayberry needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Increasing wage structure of Marlene Mayberry
– 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 Marlene Mayberry.
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.
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 Marlene Mayberry 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 Marlene Mayberry.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry, Marlene Mayberry 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 .
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry .
Weighted SWOT Analysis of THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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 THE STAKES OF ENGAGEMENT - Confidential Instructions for Marlene Mayberry 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 Marlene Mayberry needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.