Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Leadership & Managing People
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A)
After 10 years of running a small laboratory at Yale Medical School, Dr. R. Bernd Sterzel assumes leadership of a nephrology clinic in Nurnberg and Erlangen, Germany. In his ambitious efforts to transform the clinic into a leading academic research institution, he encounters numerous challenges associated with health care management in a socialized medicine context.
Swot Analysis of "Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A)" written by Linda A. Hill, Melinda B. Conrad includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Sterzel Bernd facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Cross-cultural management, Health, Influence, Leadership, Managing people and Leadership & Managing People.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) casestudy better are - – increasing energy prices, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, wage bills are increasing, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation,
competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, there is backlash against globalization, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Sterzel Bernd, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Sterzel Bernd 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Sterzel Bernd
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Leadership & Managing People field.
4. Making a Leadership & Managing People topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Sterzel Bernd
Strengths Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Sterzel Bernd in Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Analytics focus
– Sterzel Bernd 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 Linda A. Hill, Melinda B. Conrad 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.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) Harvard Business Review case study comprises – understanding the underlying the factors in the industry, building diversified operations across different geographies so that disruption in one part of the world doesn’t impact the overall performance of the firm, and integrating the various business operations and processes through its digital transformation drive.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Sterzel Bernd 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.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Sterzel Bernd 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Sterzel Bernd 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Sterzel Bernd 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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 Leadership & Managing People industry
– Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Sterzel Bernd to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Sterzel Bernd to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
High brand equity
– Sterzel Bernd has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Sterzel Bernd to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Sterzel Bernd in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Innovation driven organization
– Sterzel Bernd is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Training and development
– Sterzel Bernd has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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.
Ability to lead change in Leadership & Managing People field
– Sterzel Bernd 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 Sterzel Bernd in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Weaknesses Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) are -
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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 Sterzel Bernd 's lucrative customers.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Linda A. Hill, Melinda B. Conrad suggests that, Sterzel Bernd 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.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Sterzel Bernd 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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Sterzel Bernd is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Sterzel Bernd 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 - Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Need for greater diversity
– Sterzel Bernd 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Sterzel Bernd, firm in the HBR case study Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Sterzel Bernd has created an environment where the organization is dominated by functional specialists rather than management generalist. This has resulted into product oriented approach rather than marketing oriented approach or consumers oriented approach.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Sterzel Bernd 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.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) HBR case study mentions - Sterzel Bernd 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.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Sterzel Bernd is planning to shift buying processes online.
Opportunities Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) | 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) are -
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Sterzel Bernd can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Buying journey improvements
– Sterzel Bernd can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Sterzel Bernd 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 Leadership & Managing People segment.
Loyalty marketing
– Sterzel Bernd 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.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Sterzel Bernd 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Sterzel Bernd to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Manufacturing automation
– Sterzel Bernd can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Leadership & Managing People 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.
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 Sterzel Bernd in the consumer business. Now Sterzel Bernd can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Sterzel Bernd in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Leadership & Managing People segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Sterzel Bernd 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.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Sterzel Bernd is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Sterzel Bernd 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 Sterzel Bernd to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Sterzel Bernd has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Sterzel Bernd to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) case study. Sterzel Bernd can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Leadership & Managing People industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Sterzel Bernd can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Threats Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) are -
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Sterzel Bernd in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The Leadership & Managing People 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.
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 Sterzel Bernd business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Sterzel Bernd 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
– Sterzel Bernd 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. Sterzel Bernd can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Sterzel Bernd with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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 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. Sterzel Bernd needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Leadership & Managing People industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A), Sterzel Bernd may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Leadership & Managing People .
Increasing wage structure of Sterzel Bernd
– 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 Sterzel Bernd.
Regulatory challenges
– Sterzel Bernd 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 Leadership & Managing People industry regulations.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Sterzel Bernd has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Leadership & Managing People industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Sterzel Bernd needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Leadership & Managing People 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.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Sterzel Bernd 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.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Leadership & Managing People field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Sterzel Bernd can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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 Bernd Sterzel at the IVth Medizinische Klinik (A) 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 Sterzel Bernd needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.