Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Technology & Operations
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel
The purpose of this note is to illustrate the use of Microsoft Excel functions for generating descriptive statistics for continuous data. These functions are common when analyzing data to provide insights for decision making. The note includes practice exercises and their solutions, and a supporting Excel workbook for students.
Authors :: Kyle Maclean, Lauren E. Cipriano, Gregory S. Zaric
Swot Analysis of "Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel" written by Kyle Maclean, Lauren E. Cipriano, Gregory S. Zaric includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Excel Descriptive facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Business models and Technology & Operations.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel casestudy better are - – customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, there is backlash against globalization, geopolitical disruptions,
increasing household debt because of falling income levels, wage bills are increasing, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Excel Descriptive, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Excel Descriptive 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 Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Excel Descriptive
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Technology & Operations field.
4. Making a Technology & Operations topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Excel Descriptive
Strengths Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Excel Descriptive in Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel Harvard Business Review case study are -
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Excel Descriptive in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Training and development
– Excel Descriptive has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel Harvard Business Review case study by analyzing – employees retention, in-house promotion, loyalty, new venture initiation, lack of conflict, and high level of both employees and customer engagement.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Excel Descriptive in the sector have low bargaining power. Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Excel Descriptive to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
High brand equity
– Excel Descriptive has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Excel Descriptive to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Excel Descriptive 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.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel 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.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Excel Descriptive 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
– Excel Descriptive is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Strong track record of project management
– Excel Descriptive is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Diverse revenue streams
– Excel Descriptive is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel 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.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry
– Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Excel Descriptive to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Technology & Operations industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Excel Descriptive to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Ability to lead change in Technology & Operations field
– Excel Descriptive 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 Excel Descriptive in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Weaknesses Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel are -
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Excel Descriptive, firm in the HBR case study Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Excel Descriptive 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 - Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel, in the dynamic environment Excel Descriptive has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Excel Descriptive has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Excel Descriptive 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.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Technology & Operations 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.
Lack of clear differentiation of Excel Descriptive products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Excel Descriptive needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Excel Descriptive is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel 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 Excel Descriptive has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Excel Descriptive is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Technology & Operations segment. Excel Descriptive needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Excel Descriptive to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Excel Descriptive 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 bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Kyle Maclean, Lauren E. Cipriano, Gregory S. Zaric suggests that, Excel Descriptive 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.
Opportunities Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel | 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 Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel are -
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Excel Descriptive 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 Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Excel Descriptive to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Excel Descriptive 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Excel Descriptive to increase its market reach. Excel Descriptive 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Excel Descriptive can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Excel Descriptive operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Technology & Operations sector.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Technology & Operations industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Excel Descriptive 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. Excel Descriptive 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Excel Descriptive 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 Excel Descriptive to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Manufacturing automation
– Excel Descriptive can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Technology & Operations 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, Excel Descriptive 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.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Excel Descriptive has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Excel Descriptive to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel case study. Excel Descriptive can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Excel Descriptive 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, Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
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. Excel Descriptive can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Technology & Operations industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Excel Descriptive can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Excel Descriptive 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 Technology & Operations segment.
Threats Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel are -
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Excel Descriptive 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 Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel .
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Excel Descriptive is facing in Technology & Operations sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Excel Descriptive 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.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Technology & Operations field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Excel Descriptive 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.
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. Excel Descriptive needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Technology & Operations industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel, Excel Descriptive may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Technology & Operations .
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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Excel Descriptive with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Excel Descriptive has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Technology & Operations industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Excel Descriptive needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Technology & Operations 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.
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 Excel Descriptive.
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 Excel Descriptive business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Excel Descriptive 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.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel 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 Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel 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 Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel 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 Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel 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 Descriptive Statistics in Microsoft Excel 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 Excel Descriptive needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
