Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell
Describes the start up of Viacord, a Boston-based medical services firm founded by Cynthia Fisher (HBS MBA) in 1993. Told from Fisher's perspective, the entrepreneur details the conceptualization and launch of the business and the many obstacles and expenses faced in the company's first seven years. Fisher describes the venture capital negotiations and a merger with a biotech company that led to the creation of ViaCell in 2000. Fisher explains how her role changed from founder and CEO of Viacord to president and then board member of ViaCell, and carries the firm's story to the successful 2005 IPO.
Authors :: Robert F. Higgins, Richard G. Hamermesh, Ingrid Vargas
Swot Analysis of "Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell" written by Robert F. Higgins, Richard G. Hamermesh, Ingrid Vargas includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Viacell Fisher facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Leadership, Mergers & acquisitions, Venture capital and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell casestudy better are - – customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, geopolitical disruptions, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs,
increasing household debt because of falling income levels, wage bills are increasing, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Viacell Fisher, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Viacell Fisher 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Viacell Fisher
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Innovation & Entrepreneurship field.
4. Making a Innovation & Entrepreneurship topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Viacell Fisher
Strengths Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Viacell Fisher in Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell Harvard Business Review case study are -
Successful track record of launching new products
– Viacell Fisher has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Viacell Fisher 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
– Viacell Fisher is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Viacell Fisher in the sector have low bargaining power. Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Viacell Fisher to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Training and development
– Viacell Fisher has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Viacell Fisher 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.
Diverse revenue streams
– Viacell Fisher is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Viacell Fisher 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry
– Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Viacell Fisher to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Viacell Fisher to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Ability to lead change in Innovation & Entrepreneurship field
– Viacell Fisher 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 Viacell Fisher in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
High brand equity
– Viacell Fisher has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Viacell Fisher to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Viacell Fisher 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.
Innovation driven organization
– Viacell Fisher is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Weaknesses Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell are -
Products dominated business model
– Even though Viacell Fisher 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 - Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Innovation & Entrepreneurship 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.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Viacell Fisher is planning to shift buying processes online.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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 Viacell Fisher 's lucrative customers.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell, in the dynamic environment Viacell Fisher has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Viacell Fisher has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell HBR case study mentions - Viacell Fisher 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.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Viacell Fisher 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. Viacell Fisher 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 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 Viacell Fisher supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Viacell Fisher vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Viacell Fisher 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.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell HBR case study still accounts for major business revenue. This dependence on star products in has resulted into insufficient focus on developing new products, even though Viacell Fisher has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Need for greater diversity
– Viacell Fisher 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.
Opportunities Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell | 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell are -
Manufacturing automation
– Viacell Fisher can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Innovation & Entrepreneurship 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Viacell Fisher 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Viacell Fisher can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Developing new processes and practices
– Viacell Fisher can develop new processes and procedures in Innovation & Entrepreneurship 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Viacell Fisher to increase its market reach. Viacell Fisher 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.
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. Viacell Fisher can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
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 Viacell Fisher in the consumer business. Now Viacell Fisher can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Buying journey improvements
– Viacell Fisher can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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.
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 Viacell Fisher 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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Viacell Fisher 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 Innovation & Entrepreneurship segment.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Viacell Fisher 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Viacell Fisher to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Viacell Fisher can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Viacell Fisher operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Innovation & Entrepreneurship sector.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Viacell Fisher can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Threats Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell are -
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Viacell Fisher with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Innovation & Entrepreneurship field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Viacell Fisher can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Viacell Fisher 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.
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 Viacell Fisher in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Viacell Fisher is facing in Innovation & Entrepreneurship sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
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 Viacell Fisher business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
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. Viacell Fisher 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.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell, Viacell Fisher may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Innovation & Entrepreneurship .
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Viacell Fisher 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell .
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Viacell Fisher 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.
Environmental challenges
– Viacell Fisher 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. Viacell Fisher can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Viacell Fisher 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.
Increasing wage structure of Viacell Fisher
– 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 Viacell Fisher.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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 Cynthia Fisher and the Rearing of ViaCell 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 Viacell Fisher needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
