Swot Analysis of "Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B)" written by Tsedal Neeley includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that 412002 Englishnization facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Communication, Disruptive innovation, Globalization, Internet, Leadership, Strategic planning and Leadership & Managing People.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) casestudy better are - – increasing energy prices, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, geopolitical disruptions, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , increasing household debt because of falling income levels, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, there is increasing trade war between United States & China,
increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, there is backlash against globalization, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the 412002 Englishnization, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which 412002 Englishnization 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of 412002 Englishnization
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 412002 Englishnization
Strengths Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of 412002 Englishnization in Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of 412002 Englishnization in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Diverse revenue streams
– 412002 Englishnization is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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.
Strong track record of project management
– 412002 Englishnization is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Innovation driven organization
– 412002 Englishnization is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Digital Transformation in Leadership & Managing People segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For 412002 Englishnization digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. 412002 Englishnization 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.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– 412002 Englishnization 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– 412002 Englishnization 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Ability to recruit top talent
– 412002 Englishnization is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
High brand equity
– 412002 Englishnization has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled 412002 Englishnization to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Training and development
– 412002 Englishnization has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Leadership & Managing People industry
– Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled 412002 Englishnization to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The sustainable margins have also helped 412002 Englishnization to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Weaknesses Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) are -
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as 412002 Englishnization is planning to shift buying processes online.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of 412002 Englishnization, firm in the HBR case study Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B), is just above the industry average. 412002 Englishnization needs to redesign the compensation structure and incentives to increase the revenue per employees. Some of the steps that it can take are – hiring more specialists on project basis, etc.
High dependence on 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 412002 Englishnization supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B), it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left 412002 Englishnization vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B), it seems that the employees of 412002 Englishnization 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 dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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 412002 Englishnization has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, 412002 Englishnization is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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 412002 Englishnization 's lucrative customers.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, 412002 Englishnization 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.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
412002 Englishnization 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 decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, 412002 Englishnization 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. 412002 Englishnization 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.
Opportunities Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) | 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) are -
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of 412002 Englishnization has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help 412002 Englishnization to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) case study. 412002 Englishnization can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Developing new processes and practices
– 412002 Englishnization can develop new processes and procedures in Leadership & Managing People 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– 412002 Englishnization 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.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, 412002 Englishnization is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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.
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 412002 Englishnization 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for 412002 Englishnization 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 412002 Englishnization to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects 412002 Englishnization can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, 412002 Englishnization 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, Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B), to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help 412002 Englishnization to increase its market reach. 412002 Englishnization 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.
Loyalty marketing
– 412002 Englishnization 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.
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. 412002 Englishnization can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Buying journey improvements
– 412002 Englishnization can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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.
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. 412002 Englishnization can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Threats Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for 412002 Englishnization 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.
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.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– 412002 Englishnization 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.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– 412002 Englishnization has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Leadership & Managing People industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, 412002 Englishnization 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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents 412002 Englishnization with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Environmental challenges
– 412002 Englishnization 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. 412002 Englishnization can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry.
Consumer confidence and its impact on 412002 Englishnization 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
– 412002 Englishnization 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.
Increasing wage structure of 412002 Englishnization
– 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 412002 Englishnization.
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. 412002 Englishnization can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B), 412002 Englishnization 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 .
Instability in the European markets
– European Union markets are facing three big challenges post Covid – expanded balance sheets, Brexit related business disruption, and aggressive Russia looking to distract the existing security mechanism. 412002 Englishnization will face different problems in different parts of Europe. For example it will face inflationary pressures in UK, France, and Germany, balance sheet expansion and demand challenges in Southern European countries, and geopolitical instability in the Eastern Europe.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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 Language and Globalization: "Englishnization" at Rakuten: Results Are In! (B) 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 412002 Englishnization needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
