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Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution

Case Study Description of Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam


Case analysis is an effective tool for teaching, learning, and most importantly, practising the art and science of management. The case method immerses students in real-life situations, allowing them to develop their business skills by analyzing realistic situations, applying business theories and tools, and making substantiated recommendations for a course of action. However, working with cases is a pedagogical approach that is unfamiliar to most new business students and often inadequately understood by advanced students. The Case Guide Series introduces students to the case method and, in discrete notes, walks them through the tasks that are typically involved in case assignments: analyzing a case, discussing cases in class, writing case reports and giving presentations (individually and in groups), and writing case exams. A final note introduces students to the most common business tools used for case analysis. This field-tested series is best used as a complete package to orient students to the case method, but each note also stands on its own and can be used to supplement other course materials. Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam: The case method serves as a valuable testing or examination tool. Students are required to showcase their analytical and writing skills under the time pressure of an exam setting. Note 6 of the Case Guide Series provides students with a structure for studying and preparing for an exam and for writing the exam itself. Tips help students efficiently isolate relevant facts and data, identify the issues, quickly decide on and apply relevant analytical tools, and write the necessary analysis and recommendations. The crucial task of time management is also covered. Susan J. Van Weelden and Laurie George Busuttil are affiliated with Redeemer University College.

Authors :: Susan J. Van Weelden, Laurie George Busuttil

Topics :: Communication

Tags :: Presentations, Strategic planning, SWOT Analysis, SWOT Matrix, TOWS, Weighted SWOT Analysis

Swot Analysis of "Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam" written by Susan J. Van Weelden, Laurie George Busuttil includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Exam Writing facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Presentations, Strategic planning and Communication.


Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam casestudy better are - – increasing energy prices, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, geopolitical disruptions, technology disruption, increasing commodity prices, wage bills are increasing, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, etc



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Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam


SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Exam Writing, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Exam Writing 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Exam Writing
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Communication field.
4. Making a Communication topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Exam Writing




Strengths Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Exam Writing in Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam Harvard Business Review case study are -

Low bargaining power of suppliers

– Suppliers of Exam Writing in the sector have low bargaining power. Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Exam Writing to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.

Digital Transformation in Communication segment

- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Exam Writing digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Exam Writing 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.

Sustainable margins compare to other players in Communication industry

– Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Exam Writing to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Communication industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Exam Writing to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.

Ability to lead change in Communication field

– Exam Writing 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 Exam Writing in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.

Organizational Resilience of Exam Writing

– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Exam Writing does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.

Superior customer experience

– The customer experience strategy of Exam Writing in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.

Training and development

– Exam Writing has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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.

Operational resilience

– The operational resilience strategy in the Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam Harvard Business Review case study comprises – understanding the underlying the factors in the industry, building diversified operations across different geographies so that disruption in one part of the world doesn’t impact the overall performance of the firm, and integrating the various business operations and processes through its digital transformation drive.

Innovation driven organization

– Exam Writing is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.

High switching costs

– The high switching costs that Exam Writing 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

– Exam Writing is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.

Highly skilled collaborators

– Exam Writing 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.



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Net Promoter Score



Weaknesses Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam are -

Skills based hiring

– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Exam Writing 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.

High bargaining power of channel partners

– Because of the regulatory requirements, Susan J. Van Weelden, Laurie George Busuttil suggests that, Exam Writing 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.

Capital Spending Reduction

– Even during the low interest decade, Exam Writing 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.

Need for greater diversity

– Exam Writing has taken concrete steps on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But the efforts so far has resulted in limited success. It needs to expand the recruitment and selection process to hire more people from the minorities and underprivileged background.

High operating costs

– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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 Exam Writing 's lucrative customers.

Products dominated business model

– Even though Exam Writing 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 - Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.

Increasing silos among functional specialists

– The organizational structure of Exam Writing is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Communication segment. Exam Writing needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Exam Writing to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.

Slow to strategic competitive environment developments

– As Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam HBR case study mentions - Exam Writing takes time to assess the upcoming competitions. This has led to missing out on atleast 2-3 big opportunities in the industry in last five years.

High 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 Exam Writing supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Exam Writing vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.

Lack of clear differentiation of Exam Writing products

– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Exam Writing needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.

Low market penetration in new markets

– Outside its home market of Exam Writing, firm in the HBR case study Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.




Opportunities Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam | 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam are -

Better consumer reach

– The expansion of the 5G network will help Exam Writing to increase its market reach. Exam Writing 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.

Use of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies for transactions

– The popularity of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies as asset class and medium of transaction has opened new opportunities for Exam Writing in the consumer business. Now Exam Writing can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.

Leveraging digital technologies

– Exam Writing 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.

Manufacturing automation

– Exam Writing can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Communication 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.

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. Exam Writing can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.

Developing new processes and practices

– Exam Writing can develop new processes and procedures in Communication 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.

Building a culture of innovation

– managers at Exam Writing 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 Communication segment.

Using analytics as competitive advantage

– Exam Writing 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Exam Writing to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.

Creating value in data economy

– The success of analytics program of Exam Writing has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Exam Writing to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam case study. Exam Writing can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.

Increase in government spending

– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Exam Writing can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Exam Writing operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Communication sector.

Learning at scale

– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Exam Writing 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.

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 Exam Writing 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.

Redefining models of collaboration and team work

– As explained in the weaknesses section, Exam Writing is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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.




Threats Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis


The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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. Exam Writing 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.

Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution

– Exam Writing has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Communication industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Exam Writing needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Communication 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

– Exam Writing 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 Communication industry regulations.

Stagnating economy with rate increase

– Exam Writing 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 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.

Learning curve for new practices

– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam, Exam Writing may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Communication .

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 Exam Writing business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, 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. Exam Writing needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Communication industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.

Trade war between China and United States

– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Exam Writing in the Communication industry. The Communication 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.

Consumer confidence and its impact on Exam Writing 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.

Environmental challenges

– Exam Writing 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. Exam Writing can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Communication industry.

Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins

– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Exam Writing 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam .

Easy access to finance

– Easy access to finance in Communication field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Exam Writing can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.




Weighted SWOT Analysis of Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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 Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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 Exam Writing needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.



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