Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Leadership & Managing People
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI)
A veteran of the freight forwarding industry, Issa Baluch wanted to transform the education space in Africa by introducing hands-on practical teaching in agriculture and agribusiness. In the summer of 2015 his vision of a practical learning institute for African agriculture workers had finally found its footing as the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI). Several African countries were interested in having AKILI branches; however, Baluch and his team were still working hard to design a concrete model for AKILI and figure out the best possible expansion strategy.
Swot Analysis of "Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI)" written by Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Renee Vuillaume includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Akili Baluch facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Financial management, Generational issues, Innovation, Knowledge management, Leadership, Strategy, Sustainability and Leadership & Managing People.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) casestudy better are - – challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, there is backlash against globalization, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, increasing transportation and logistics costs,
supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Akili Baluch, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Akili Baluch 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Akili Baluch
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 Akili Baluch
Strengths Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Akili Baluch in Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Innovation driven organization
– Akili Baluch is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Organizational Resilience of Akili Baluch
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Akili Baluch does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Strong track record of project management
– Akili Baluch is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Akili Baluch 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Akili Baluch 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 Leadership & Managing People industry
– Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Akili Baluch to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Akili Baluch to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Analytics focus
– Akili Baluch 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 Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Renee Vuillaume 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.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Akili Baluch 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Akili Baluch has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Akili Baluch 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.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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
– Akili Baluch 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Digital Transformation in Leadership & Managing People segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Akili Baluch digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Akili Baluch 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.
Weaknesses Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) are -
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 Akili Baluch supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI), it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Akili Baluch vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Akili Baluch 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.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI), is just above the industry average. Akili Baluch 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.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Akili Baluch is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Leadership & Managing People segment. Akili Baluch needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Akili Baluch to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Akili Baluch is planning to shift buying processes online.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Akili Baluch, firm in the HBR case study Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI), it seems that the employees of Akili Baluch 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 bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Renee Vuillaume suggests that, Akili Baluch 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 dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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 Akili Baluch has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Akili Baluch 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Akili Baluch 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 - Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Opportunities Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) | 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) are -
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 Akili Baluch 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.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Akili Baluch 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Akili Baluch to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Akili Baluch 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Akili Baluch 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.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Akili Baluch has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Akili Baluch to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) case study. Akili Baluch can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Akili Baluch is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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 Akili Baluch 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 Akili Baluch 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 Akili Baluch can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Akili Baluch 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Akili Baluch to increase its market reach. Akili Baluch 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.
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. Akili Baluch can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Akili Baluch 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Akili Baluch can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Akili Baluch operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Leadership & Managing People sector.
Threats Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) are -
Aging population
– As the populations of most advanced economies are aging, it will lead to high social security costs, higher savings among population, and lower demand for goods and services in the economy. The household savings in US, France, UK, Germany, and Japan are growing faster than predicted because of uncertainty caused by pandemic.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Akili Baluch 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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Akili Baluch with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Environmental challenges
– Akili Baluch 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. Akili Baluch can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry.
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. Akili Baluch 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI), Akili Baluch 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 .
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Akili Baluch 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.
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 Akili Baluch business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Akili Baluch 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.
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.
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 Akili Baluch in the Leadership & Managing People sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Increasing wage structure of Akili Baluch
– 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 Akili Baluch.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Akili Baluch is facing in Leadership & Managing People sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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 Issa Baluch and the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative (AKILI) 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 Akili Baluch needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
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