Swot Analysis of "Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video" written by Anna Hofmann, Urs Mueller, C.B. Bhattacharya includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Es1431 Axel facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Social responsibility, Transparency and Leadership & Managing People.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video casestudy better are - – increasing household debt because of falling income levels, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, wage bills are increasing,
increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, technology disruption, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Es1431 Axel, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Es1431 Axel 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Es1431 Axel
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 Es1431 Axel
Strengths Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Es1431 Axel in Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video Harvard Business Review case study are -
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Es1431 Axel 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Es1431 Axel in the sector have low bargaining power. Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Es1431 Axel to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Es1431 Axel 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.
Learning organization
- Es1431 Axel 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 Es1431 Axel is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Es1431 Axel in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Digital Transformation in Leadership & Managing People segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Es1431 Axel digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Es1431 Axel 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.
Training and development
– Es1431 Axel has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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 Es1431 Axel 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.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Leadership & Managing People industry
– Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Es1431 Axel to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Es1431 Axel to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
High brand equity
– Es1431 Axel has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Es1431 Axel to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Es1431 Axel has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Es1431 Axel 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 lead change in Leadership & Managing People field
– Es1431 Axel 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 Es1431 Axel in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Weaknesses Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video are -
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Es1431 Axel 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. Es1431 Axel 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.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Es1431 Axel is planning to shift buying processes online.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Es1431 Axel 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video, it seems that the employees of Es1431 Axel 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Es1431 Axel, firm in the HBR case study Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Anna Hofmann, Urs Mueller, C.B. Bhattacharya suggests that, Es1431 Axel 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.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Es1431 Axel 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 harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Es1431 Axel is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Es1431 Axel 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.
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 Es1431 Axel supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Es1431 Axel vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video HBR case study mentions - Es1431 Axel 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video | 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video are -
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Es1431 Axel 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Es1431 Axel 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Es1431 Axel to increase its market reach. Es1431 Axel 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.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Es1431 Axel has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Es1431 Axel to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video case study. Es1431 Axel can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Loyalty marketing
– Es1431 Axel 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Es1431 Axel 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 Es1431 Axel to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Es1431 Axel 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, Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Leadership & Managing People industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Es1431 Axel 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. Es1431 Axel 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.
Buying journey improvements
– Es1431 Axel can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Es1431 Axel is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Es1431 Axel 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.
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. Es1431 Axel can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Es1431 Axel 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Es1431 Axel to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Threats Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video are -
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Es1431 Axel with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Increasing wage structure of Es1431 Axel
– 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 Es1431 Axel.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video, Es1431 Axel 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 .
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 Es1431 Axel.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Es1431 Axel has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Leadership & Managing People industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Es1431 Axel 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.
Environmental challenges
– Es1431 Axel 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. Es1431 Axel can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Es1431 Axel is facing in Leadership & Managing People sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Es1431 Axel 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 international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Es1431 Axel 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video .
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Es1431 Axel 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 Es1431 Axel in the Leadership & Managing People sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
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 Es1431 Axel business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
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. Es1431 Axel needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Leadership & Managing People industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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 Axel Springer and the Quest for the Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility, Video 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 Es1431 Axel needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.