Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Communication
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers
In recent years, the practice of using corporate Web sites to recruit job applicants has increased steadily. Despite this trend, however, studies show that approximately 75% of job seekers find the sites too complicated to use successfully (Brown, 2004) and that more than 20% have rejected job opportunities based on poorly designed Web sites (Pastore, 2000). To address this problem, joins Internet marketing and employee recruitment research to offer six development implications for creating an effective "e-recruitment" source on a corporate Web site. Based on a job marketing approach to the recruitment process and consumer behavior research on persuasive communication and decision making, we present considerations important to creating an online recruiting Web site that effectively influences the search decisions and behaviors of a target market of desired job candidates.
Swot Analysis of "Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers" written by Steven D. Maurer, Yuping Liu includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Sites Job facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Marketing, Talent management and Communication.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers casestudy better are - – cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, wage bills are increasing, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , increasing transportation and logistics costs, increasing energy prices, increasing household debt because of falling income levels,
increasing commodity prices, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Sites Job, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Sites Job 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Sites Job
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 Sites Job
Strengths Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Sites Job in Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers Harvard Business Review case study are -
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Sites Job in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Digital Transformation in Communication segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Sites Job digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Sites Job 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.
Learning organization
- Sites Job 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 Sites Job is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Sites Job 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.
Strong track record of project management
– Sites Job is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Sites Job 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Sites Job 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.
Diverse revenue streams
– Sites Job is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Sites Job has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Sites Job has effective processes in place that helps in exploring new product needs, doing quick pilot testing, and then launching the products quickly using its extensive distribution network.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Sites Job is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers 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
– Sites Job 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Analytics focus
– Sites Job 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 Steven D. Maurer, Yuping Liu 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.
Weaknesses Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers are -
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 Sites Job supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Sites Job vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Sites Job 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. Sites Job 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.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Sites Job is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Communication segment. Sites Job needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Sites Job to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Lack of clear differentiation of Sites Job products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Sites Job needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers, is just above the industry average. Sites Job 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers 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 Sites Job 's lucrative customers.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers, in the dynamic environment Sites Job has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Sites Job has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Sites Job is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers HBR case study mentions - Sites Job 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.
Need for greater diversity
– Sites Job 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.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Sites Job 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.
Opportunities Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers | 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers are -
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. Sites Job 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. Sites Job 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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Sites Job 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Sites Job 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Sites Job can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
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 Sites Job in the consumer business. Now Sites Job can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Sites Job 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Sites Job to increase its market reach. Sites Job 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.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Sites Job 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, Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Sites Job 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Sites Job 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Sites Job 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.
Buying journey improvements
– Sites Job can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers suggest that firm can provide automated chats to help consumers solve their own problems, provide online suggestions to get maximum out of the products and services, and help consumers to build a community where they can interact with each other to develop new features and uses.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Sites Job 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Sites Job to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Threats Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers are -
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Sites Job 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers .
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. Sites Job needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Communication industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
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.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Sites Job is facing in Communication sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
New competition
– After the dotcom bust of 2001, financial crisis of 2008-09, the business formation in US economy had declined. But in 2020 alone, there are more than 1.5 million new business applications in United States. This can lead to greater competition for Sites Job in the Communication sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Regulatory challenges
– Sites Job 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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Sites Job with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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. Sites Job 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.
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 Sites Job business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Sites Job has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Communication industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Sites Job 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.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Sites Job 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
– Sites Job 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.
Environmental challenges
– Sites Job 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. Sites Job can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Communication industry.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers 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 Developing Effective e-Recruiting Web sites: Insights for Managers from Marketers 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 Sites Job needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
