Supplement to case SM299A. In the #MeToo era, allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct pose difficult issues for employers, particularly when allegations surface about incidents that occurred prior to an employee's term at the company. This case, fictionalized but based on real events, centers on the challenge that the founder of a biotech company faces when he receives an email alleging that a new employee (male) raped an acquaintance prior to joining his firm. This case brings up questions of how to deal with the person lodging the allegation, the employee concerned, other employees who become aware of the allegation, police, human resources and legal players.
Authors :: Julie Makinen, Mark Leslie, Scott Brady
Swot Analysis of "Camino Therapeutics (B)" written by Julie Makinen, Mark Leslie, Scott Brady includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Allegation Sexual facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Camino Therapeutics (B) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Conflict, Hiring, Labor, Organizational culture, Personnel policies, Regulation and Communication.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Camino Therapeutics (B) casestudy better are - – increasing household debt because of falling income levels, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, wage bills are increasing, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, there is backlash against globalization,
increasing commodity prices, technology disruption, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Camino Therapeutics (B)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Camino Therapeutics (B) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Allegation Sexual, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Allegation Sexual 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 Camino Therapeutics (B) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Camino Therapeutics (B) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Allegation Sexual
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 Allegation Sexual
Strengths Camino Therapeutics (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Allegation Sexual in Camino Therapeutics (B) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Ability to recruit top talent
– Allegation Sexual is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Camino Therapeutics (B) are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Organizational Resilience of Allegation Sexual
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Allegation Sexual does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Allegation Sexual has innovation driven culture where significant part of the revenues are spent on the research and development activities. This has resulted in, as mentioned in case study Camino Therapeutics (B) - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Communication industry
– Camino Therapeutics (B) firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Allegation Sexual to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Communication industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Allegation Sexual to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Allegation Sexual in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Allegation Sexual 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.
Digital Transformation in Communication segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Allegation Sexual digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Allegation Sexual 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.
Ability to lead change in Communication field
– Allegation Sexual 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 Allegation Sexual in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Innovation driven organization
– Allegation Sexual is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Camino Therapeutics (B) Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Training and development
– Allegation Sexual has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Camino Therapeutics (B) 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.
Diverse revenue streams
– Allegation Sexual is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Camino Therapeutics (B) 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
- Allegation Sexual 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 Allegation Sexual is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Camino Therapeutics (B) Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Weaknesses Camino Therapeutics (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Camino Therapeutics (B) are -
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Allegation Sexual is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Communication segment. Allegation Sexual needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Allegation Sexual to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Camino Therapeutics (B), 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.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Camino Therapeutics (B), is just above the industry average. Allegation Sexual needs to redesign the compensation structure and incentives to increase the revenue per employees. Some of the steps that it can take are – hiring more specialists on project basis, etc.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Camino Therapeutics (B) 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 Allegation Sexual 's lucrative customers.
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 Allegation Sexual supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Camino Therapeutics (B), it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Allegation Sexual vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Lack of clear differentiation of Allegation Sexual products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Allegation Sexual needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Camino Therapeutics (B) HBR case study mentions - Allegation Sexual 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.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Allegation Sexual 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.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Camino Therapeutics (B) that the firm needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department in the case Camino Therapeutics (B) can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Allegation Sexual is planning to shift buying processes online.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Allegation Sexual 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.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Camino Therapeutics (B), in the dynamic environment Allegation Sexual has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Allegation Sexual has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Opportunities Camino Therapeutics (B) | 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 Camino Therapeutics (B) are -
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Allegation Sexual is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Camino Therapeutics (B) 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.
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 Allegation Sexual 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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Allegation Sexual 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.
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 Allegation Sexual in the consumer business. Now Allegation Sexual can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
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. Allegation Sexual 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. Allegation Sexual 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.
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. Allegation Sexual can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Manufacturing automation
– Allegation Sexual 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.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Allegation Sexual has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Allegation Sexual to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Camino Therapeutics (B) case study. Allegation Sexual 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
– Allegation Sexual 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 Camino Therapeutics (B) - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Allegation Sexual to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Loyalty marketing
– Allegation Sexual has focused on building a highly responsive customer relationship management platform. This platform is built on in-house data and driven by analytics and artificial intelligence. The customer analytics can help the organization to fine tune its loyalty marketing efforts, increase the wallet share of the organization, reduce wastage on mainstream advertising spending, build better pricing strategies using personalization, etc.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Allegation Sexual 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Allegation Sexual 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Allegation Sexual can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Allegation Sexual operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Communication sector.
Threats Camino Therapeutics (B) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Camino Therapeutics (B) are -
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Allegation Sexual 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 Camino Therapeutics (B) .
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. Allegation Sexual needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Communication industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Increasing wage structure of Allegation Sexual
– 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 Allegation Sexual.
Regulatory challenges
– Allegation Sexual 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.
Environmental challenges
– Allegation Sexual 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. Allegation Sexual 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 Allegation Sexual business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Allegation Sexual 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 Communication field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Allegation Sexual can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Allegation Sexual is facing in Communication sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Camino Therapeutics (B), Allegation Sexual 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 .
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Allegation Sexual has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Communication industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Allegation Sexual 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.
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.
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 Allegation Sexual.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Camino Therapeutics (B) 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 Camino Therapeutics (B) 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 Camino Therapeutics (B) 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 Camino Therapeutics (B) 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 Camino Therapeutics (B) 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 Allegation Sexual needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
