Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Leadership & Managing People
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting
At least a decade ago, researchers recognized the importance of leaders being able to effectively execute interventions in teams. Now, advances in collaboration technologies have changed the way teams work together in addition to the challenges they face with regard to technology and collaboration. Due to these changes, it is important to take a look at interventions and how they can be technology driven or administered. Advances in technology-driven interventions can have a substantial impact on virtual project management and online education. In this article, we explore the role of interventions in improving technology choice in a virtual setting. We argue that both proactive and reactive interventions can be used to address virtual team challenges when it comes to technology choice. We identify six interventions (proactive and reactive) that were used to lead seven global offshore development teams, as well as the findings from their use. We also advise managers and online educators on ways to effectively identify and use interventions in virtual settings
Swot Analysis of "Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting" written by Alanah Mitchell includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Interventions Virtual facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Technology and Leadership & Managing People.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting casestudy better are - – there is increasing trade war between United States & China, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , increasing commodity prices, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, increasing transportation and logistics costs, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies,
technology disruption, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Interventions Virtual, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Interventions Virtual
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 Interventions Virtual
Strengths Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Interventions Virtual in Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting Harvard Business Review case study are -
Learning organization
- Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions Virtual is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
High brand equity
– Interventions Virtual has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Interventions Virtual to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Training and development
– Interventions Virtual has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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 Interventions Virtual
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Interventions Virtual does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Ability to lead change in Leadership & Managing People field
– Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions Virtual in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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.
Analytics focus
– Interventions Virtual 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 Alanah Mitchell 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Interventions Virtual is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Interventions Virtual in the sector have low bargaining power. Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Interventions Virtual to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Innovation driven organization
– Interventions Virtual is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Weaknesses Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting are -
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions Virtual is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Leadership & Managing People segment. Interventions Virtual needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Interventions Virtual to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Leadership & Managing People strategy. But it has very little resources allocation to manage the risks emerging from events such as natural disasters, climate change, melting of permafrost, tacking the rise of artificial intelligence, opportunities and threats emerging from commercialization of space etc.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting, it seems that the employees of Interventions Virtual 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.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting HBR case study mentions - Interventions Virtual 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 dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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 Interventions Virtual has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Alanah Mitchell suggests that, Interventions Virtual 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Interventions Virtual 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 - Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Lack of clear differentiation of Interventions Virtual products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Interventions Virtual needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Interventions Virtual is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Interventions Virtual 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.
Opportunities Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting | 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting are -
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Interventions Virtual 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Interventions Virtual can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Interventions Virtual operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Leadership & Managing People sector.
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 Interventions Virtual 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Interventions Virtual 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Interventions Virtual can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Leadership & Managing People segment. It can use CAD and 3D printing to build a quick prototype and pilot testing products. It can leverage automation using machine learning and artificial intelligence to do faster production at lowers costs, and it can leverage the growth in satellite and tracking technologies to improve inventory management, transportation, and shipping.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Interventions Virtual can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
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. Interventions Virtual can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Interventions Virtual to increase its market reach. Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions Virtual has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Interventions Virtual to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting case study. Interventions Virtual can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Loyalty marketing
– Interventions Virtual 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.
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. Interventions Virtual can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Interventions Virtual to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Interventions Virtual is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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.
Threats Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting are -
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Interventions Virtual has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Leadership & Managing People industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Interventions Virtual 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.
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 Interventions Virtual.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Interventions Virtual 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 wage structure of Interventions Virtual
– 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 Interventions Virtual.
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.
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.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Interventions Virtual is facing in Leadership & Managing People sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
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. Interventions Virtual can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Regulatory challenges
– Interventions Virtual 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.
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. Interventions Virtual needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Leadership & Managing People industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Interventions Virtual 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting .
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Interventions Virtual 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.
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 Interventions Virtual business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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 Interventions for Effectively Leading in a Virtual Setting 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 Interventions Virtual needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
