Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry
This case B cannot be taught as a stand-alone case, but is a direct continuation of the FocusCase "Argo Interactive (A): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry" [EFC-1-E]. This second part illustrates the decisions the firm took during and after their near-death crisis with regard to financing, market focus, product (re-)development, HR issues, positioning and the overall survival strategy of the firm, and the consequences this had. Developments are described over several years, up until the firm achieved an exit through a trade-sale to a large corporation. The video (EV-5) provides complimentary material.
Authors :: Julia Prats Moreno, Marc Sosna, Dave Darsch
Swot Analysis of "Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry" written by Julia Prats Moreno, Marc Sosna, Dave Darsch includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Argo Coasting facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Crisis management, Financial management, Growth strategy, Reorganization and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry casestudy better are - – technology disruption, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, increasing energy prices, increasing household debt because of falling income levels,
there is backlash against globalization, increasing transportation and logistics costs, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Argo Coasting, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Argo Coasting 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 Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Argo Coasting
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 Argo Coasting
Strengths Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Argo Coasting in Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry Harvard Business Review case study are -
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Argo Coasting 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
– Argo Coasting is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Analytics focus
– Argo Coasting 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 Julia Prats Moreno, Marc Sosna, Dave Darsch 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Argo Coasting has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Argo Coasting 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.
Learning organization
- Argo Coasting 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 Argo Coasting is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Ability to lead change in Innovation & Entrepreneurship field
– Argo Coasting 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 Argo Coasting in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Argo Coasting is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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 Argo Coasting
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Argo Coasting does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Argo Coasting 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 Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Digital Transformation in Innovation & Entrepreneurship segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Argo Coasting digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Argo Coasting 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.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Argo Coasting 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
– Argo Coasting is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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.
Weaknesses Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry are -
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry, it seems that the employees of Argo Coasting don’t have comprehensive understanding of the firm’s strategy. This is reflected in number of promotional campaigns over the last few years that had mixed messaging and competing priorities. Some of the strategic activities and services promoted in the promotional campaigns were not consistent with the organization’s strategy.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Argo Coasting 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 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 Argo Coasting supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Argo Coasting vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Argo Coasting is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Argo Coasting, firm in the HBR case study Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Julia Prats Moreno, Marc Sosna, Dave Darsch suggests that, Argo Coasting 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Argo Coasting 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 - Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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 Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Argo Coasting is planning to shift buying processes online.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry, 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.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Argo Coasting 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. Argo Coasting 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.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry HBR case study mentions - Argo Coasting 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.
Opportunities Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry | 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 Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry are -
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. Argo Coasting can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Developing new processes and practices
– Argo Coasting 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Argo Coasting 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 Argo Coasting to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Argo Coasting is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Argo Coasting 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Argo Coasting 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.
Buying journey improvements
– Argo Coasting can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Argo Coasting 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. Argo Coasting 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.
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 Argo Coasting 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.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Argo Coasting 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, Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Argo Coasting 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Argo Coasting 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Argo Coasting can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Threats Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry are -
Aging population
– As the populations of most advanced economies are aging, it will lead to high social security costs, higher savings among population, and lower demand for goods and services in the economy. The household savings in US, France, UK, Germany, and Japan are growing faster than predicted because of uncertainty caused by pandemic.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Argo Coasting 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.
Increasing wage structure of Argo Coasting
– 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 Argo Coasting.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Argo Coasting is facing in Innovation & Entrepreneurship sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Argo Coasting has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Argo Coasting needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship 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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Argo Coasting 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 Argo Coasting in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Argo Coasting with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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 Argo Coasting business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Argo Coasting 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.
Regulatory challenges
– Argo Coasting 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 Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry regulations.
Environmental challenges
– Argo Coasting 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. Argo Coasting can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship industry.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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 Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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 Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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 Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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 Argo Interactive (B): Surviving in the Roller-Coasting Mobile Industry 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 Argo Coasting needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
