Swot Analysis of "Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A)" written by V. Kasturi Rangan, Katharine Lee includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Bhavani Manjula facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Entrepreneurial finance and Finance & Accounting.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) casestudy better are - – banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing energy prices, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, technology disruption,
increasing household debt because of falling income levels, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Bhavani Manjula, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Bhavani Manjula 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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Bhavani Manjula
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Finance & Accounting field.
4. Making a Finance & Accounting topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Bhavani Manjula
Strengths Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Bhavani Manjula in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Training and development
– Bhavani Manjula has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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.
Organizational Resilience of Bhavani Manjula
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Bhavani Manjula does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Innovation driven organization
– Bhavani Manjula is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Bhavani Manjula in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Finance & Accounting industry
– Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Bhavani Manjula to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Finance & Accounting industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Bhavani Manjula to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Digital Transformation in Finance & Accounting segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Bhavani Manjula digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Bhavani Manjula 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.
Analytics focus
– Bhavani Manjula 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 V. Kasturi Rangan, Katharine Lee 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Bhavani Manjula 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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Bhavani Manjula has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Bhavani Manjula 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 Finance & Accounting field
– Bhavani Manjula 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 Bhavani Manjula 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
– Bhavani Manjula is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Learning organization
- Bhavani Manjula 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 Bhavani Manjula is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Weaknesses Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) are -
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Bhavani Manjula is planning to shift buying processes online.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Bhavani Manjula is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) HBR case study mentions - Bhavani Manjula 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 operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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 Bhavani Manjula 's lucrative customers.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A), is just above the industry average. Bhavani Manjula 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.
Lack of clear differentiation of Bhavani Manjula products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Bhavani Manjula needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Bhavani Manjula 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 - Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) 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 Bhavani Manjula has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Bhavani Manjula 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.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Bhavani Manjula is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Finance & Accounting segment. Bhavani Manjula needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Bhavani Manjula to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, V. Kasturi Rangan, Katharine Lee suggests that, Bhavani Manjula 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.
Opportunities Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) are -
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 Bhavani Manjula in the consumer business. Now Bhavani Manjula can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Bhavani Manjula is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Bhavani Manjula 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.
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 Bhavani Manjula 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Bhavani Manjula to increase its market reach. Bhavani Manjula 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 Bhavani Manjula has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Bhavani Manjula to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) case study. Bhavani Manjula can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Buying journey improvements
– Bhavani Manjula can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Finance & Accounting industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Bhavani Manjula 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. Bhavani Manjula 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.
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. Bhavani Manjula can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Bhavani Manjula can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Bhavani Manjula operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Finance & Accounting sector.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Bhavani Manjula 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 Finance & Accounting segment.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Bhavani Manjula in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Finance & Accounting segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Bhavani Manjula 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 Bhavani Manjula to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Threats Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) are -
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Bhavani Manjula 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.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Bhavani Manjula is facing in Finance & Accounting sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Bhavani Manjula has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Finance & Accounting industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Bhavani Manjula needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Finance & Accounting 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
– Bhavani Manjula 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. Bhavani Manjula can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Finance & Accounting industry.
Regulatory challenges
– Bhavani Manjula 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 Finance & Accounting industry regulations.
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. Bhavani Manjula needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Finance & Accounting industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Bhavani Manjula 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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Bhavani Manjula 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.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Bhavani Manjula 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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (A) .
Increasing wage structure of Bhavani Manjula
– 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 Bhavani Manjula.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Bhavani Manjula in the Finance & Accounting industry. The Finance & Accounting 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 Bhavani Manjula business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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 Who Killed Bhavani Manjula?--A Story of Microfinance in Andhra Pradesh (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 Bhavani Manjula needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.