Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Communication
Strategy / MBA Resources
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
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 - – supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , wage bills are increasing, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, increasing transportation and logistics costs, there is backlash against globalization, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy,
cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, etc
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 -
Diverse revenue streams
– Exam Writing is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam 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.
Learning organization
- Exam Writing 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 Exam Writing is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
High brand equity
– Exam Writing has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Exam Writing to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Analytics focus
– Exam Writing is putting a lot of focus on utilizing the power of analytics in business decision making. This has put it among the leading players in the industry. The technology infrastructure suggested by Susan J. Van Weelden, Laurie George Busuttil can also help it to harness the power of analytics for – marketing optimization, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, inventory management, information sharing across the value chain etc.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Exam Writing 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 -
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Exam Writing has borrowed money from the capital market at higher rates. It needs to restructure the interest payment and costs so that it can compete better and improve profitability.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Exam Writing 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. Exam Writing 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.
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.
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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Exam Writing is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
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.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Exam Writing 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam, it seems that the employees of Exam Writing 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.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Exam Writing 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.
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.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Student Guide to the Case Method: Note 6 - Preparing for and Writing a Case Exam, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Communication 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.
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 -
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Exam Writing 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 Exam Writing to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
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.
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.
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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Exam Writing can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Communication industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Exam Writing can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Exam Writing in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Communication segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Communication industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Exam Writing 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. Exam Writing 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.
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 -
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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 .
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.
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.
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.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Exam Writing 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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Exam Writing with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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.
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.
