Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death"
The case describes the challenges faced by Immunovaccine (IMV), a small biotechnology company founded in Halifax, Canada. The company has seen early success in the effectiveness of its technology in animal health and is looking for ways to exploit the potential of its technology more broadly, particularly in human health. The company's challenges are presented in the context of the evolving relationship between the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The case describes the various issues the company faces around 2008, shortly after the new president and CEO has taken over. It then provides details on strategy formulation and execution under the new CEO.
Swot Analysis of "Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death"" written by Ella Korets-Smith, Suhaib Riaz includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Immunovaccine Imv facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Human resource management, Strategy and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" casestudy better are - – geopolitical disruptions, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , increasing energy prices, there is increasing trade war between United States & China,
banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing commodity prices, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death"
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Immunovaccine Imv, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Immunovaccine Imv 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Immunovaccine Imv
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 Immunovaccine Imv
Strengths Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Immunovaccine Imv in Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" Harvard Business Review case study are -
Ability to lead change in Innovation & Entrepreneurship field
– Immunovaccine Imv 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 Immunovaccine Imv in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Learning organization
- Immunovaccine Imv 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 Immunovaccine Imv is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Immunovaccine Imv has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Immunovaccine Imv in the sector have low bargaining power. Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Immunovaccine Imv to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Analytics focus
– Immunovaccine Imv 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 Ella Korets-Smith, Suhaib Riaz 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.
Diverse revenue streams
– Immunovaccine Imv is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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.
Training and development
– Immunovaccine Imv has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 brand equity
– Immunovaccine Imv has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Immunovaccine Imv to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Organizational Resilience of Immunovaccine Imv
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Immunovaccine Imv does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Immunovaccine Imv is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 Innovation & Entrepreneurship segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Immunovaccine Imv digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Immunovaccine Imv 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" are -
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Lack of clear differentiation of Immunovaccine Imv products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Immunovaccine Imv needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 Immunovaccine Imv 's lucrative customers.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Immunovaccine Imv is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death", is just above the industry average. Immunovaccine Imv 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 dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 Immunovaccine Imv has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" HBR case study mentions - Immunovaccine Imv takes time to assess the upcoming competitions. This has led to missing out on atleast 2-3 big opportunities in the industry in last five years.
High dependence on existing supply chain
– The disruption in the global supply chains because of the Covid-19 pandemic and blockage of the Suez Canal illustrated the fragile nature of Immunovaccine Imv supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death", it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Immunovaccine Imv vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Immunovaccine Imv 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.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Ella Korets-Smith, Suhaib Riaz suggests that, Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Immunovaccine Imv 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" | 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" are -
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Immunovaccine Imv 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 Immunovaccine Imv to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Immunovaccine Imv 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Immunovaccine Imv to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Developing new processes and practices
– Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Immunovaccine Imv is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Immunovaccine Imv 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.
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. Immunovaccine Imv can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Immunovaccine Imv in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
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. Immunovaccine Imv can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Immunovaccine Imv has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Immunovaccine Imv to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" case study. Immunovaccine Imv can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Immunovaccine Imv 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.
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 Immunovaccine Imv in the consumer business. Now Immunovaccine Imv can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Threats Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" are -
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 Immunovaccine Imv.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Immunovaccine Imv 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.
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 Immunovaccine Imv business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Immunovaccine Imv 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.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Immunovaccine Imv in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry. The Innovation & Entrepreneurship 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.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Immunovaccine Imv is facing in Innovation & Entrepreneurship sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Immunovaccine Imv 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" .
Increasing wage structure of Immunovaccine Imv
– 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 Immunovaccine Imv.
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. Immunovaccine Imv 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.
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. Immunovaccine Imv needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Immunovaccine Imv with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 Immunovaccine (IMV): Preparing to Cross the "Valley of Death" 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 Immunovaccine Imv needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.