Metabolic Explorer (METEX) SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / MBA Resources

Introduction to SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix for Metabolic Explorer (France)

Based on various researches at Oak Spring University , Metabolic Explorer is operating in a macro-environment that has been destablized by – customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, increasing commodity prices, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, increasing energy prices, wage bills are increasing, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, etc

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Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Metabolic Explorer

SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University, we believe that Metabolic Explorer can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Metabolic Explorer, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Metabolic Explorer 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.

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SWOT Objectives / Importance of SWOT Analysis and SWOT Matrix

SWOT analysis of Metabolic Explorer can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning of Metabolic Explorer
2. Improving business portfolio management of Metabolic Explorer
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in France
4. Making a Chemical Manufacturing sector specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Metabolic Explorer

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Strengths of Metabolic Explorer | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Metabolic Explorer are -

Learning organization

- Metabolic Explorer 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 Metabolic Explorer is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders at Metabolic Explorer emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.

Digital Transformation in Chemical Manufacturing industry

- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Metabolic Explorer digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Metabolic Explorer 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.

Ability to lead change in Chemical Manufacturing

– Metabolic Explorer is one of the leading players in the Chemical Manufacturing industry in France. Over the years it has not only transformed the business landscape in the Chemical Manufacturing industry in France but also across the existing markets. The ability to lead change has enabled Metabolic Explorer in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.

Cross disciplinary teams

– Horizontal connected teams at the Metabolic Explorer are driving operational speed, building greater agility, and keeping the organization nimble to compete with new competitors. It helps are organization to ideate new ideas, and execute them swiftly in the marketplace.

Superior customer experience

– The customer experience strategy of Metabolic Explorer in Chemical Manufacturing industry is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.

Training and development

– Metabolic Explorer has one of the best training and development program in Basic Materials industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in – employees retention, in-house promotion, loyalty, new venture initiation, lack of conflict, and high level of both employees and customer engagement.

High brand equity

– Metabolic Explorer has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Metabolic Explorer to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.

Ability to recruit top talent

– Metabolic Explorer is one of the leading players in the Chemical Manufacturing industry in France. It is in a position to attract the best talent available in France. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.

Low bargaining power of suppliers

– Suppliers of Metabolic Explorer in the Basic Materials sector have low bargaining power. Metabolic Explorer has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Metabolic Explorer to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.

Successful track record of launching new products

– Metabolic Explorer has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Metabolic Explorer 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.

Analytics focus

– Metabolic Explorer 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 Chemical Manufacturing industry. The technology infrastructure of France is also helping it to harness the power of analytics for – marketing optimization, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, inventory management, information sharing across the value chain etc.

Organizational Resilience of Metabolic Explorer

– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing Metabolic Explorer does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.

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Weaknesses of Metabolic Explorer | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Metabolic Explorer are -

Skills based hiring in Chemical Manufacturing industry

– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Metabolic Explorer has created an environment where the organization is dominated by functional specialists rather than management generalist. This has resulted into product oriented approach rather than marketing oriented approach or consumers oriented approach.

High bargaining power of channel partners in Chemical Manufacturing industry

– because of the regulatory requirements in France, Metabolic Explorer 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 Chemical Manufacturing industry.

Ability to respond to the competition

– As the decision making is very deliberative at Metabolic Explorer, in the dynamic environment of Chemical Manufacturing industry it has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Metabolic Explorer has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.

Interest costs

– Compare to the competition, Metabolic Explorer 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.

Aligning sales with marketing

– From the outside it seems that Metabolic Explorer needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the Chemical Manufacturing industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department at Metabolic Explorer can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Metabolic Explorer is planning to shift buying processes online.

Capital Spending Reduction

– Even during the low interest decade, Metabolic Explorer 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 Chemical Manufacturing industry using digital technology.

Increasing silos among functional specialists

– The organizational structure of Metabolic Explorer is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Chemical Manufacturing industry, but Metabolic Explorer needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Metabolic Explorer to focus more on services in the Chemical Manufacturing industry rather than just following the product oriented approach.

High dependence on existing supply chain

– The disruption in the global supply chains because of the Covid-19 pandemic and blockage of the Suez Canal illustrated the fragile nature of Metabolic Explorer supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes, Metabolic Explorer is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Metabolic Explorer vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.

Slow decision making process

– As mentioned earlier in the report, Metabolic Explorer has a very deliberative decision making approach. This approach has resulted in prudent decisions, but it has also resulted in missing opportunities in the Chemical Manufacturing industry over the last five years. Metabolic Explorer 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.

Lack of clear differentiation of Metabolic Explorer products

– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Metabolic Explorer needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.

High cash cycle compare to competitors

Metabolic Explorer has a high cash cycle compare to other players in the Chemical Manufacturing industry. It needs to shorten the cash cycle by 12% to be more competitive in the marketplace, reduce inventory costs, and be more profitable.

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Metabolic Explorer Opportunities | External Strategic Factors
What are Opportunities in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The opportunities of Metabolic Explorer 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 Metabolic Explorer 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.

Redefining models of collaboration and team work

– As explained in the weaknesses section, Metabolic Explorer is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Metabolic Explorer can utilize new technology in the field of Chemical Manufacturing industry to build more coordinated teams and streamline operations and communications using tools such as CAD, Zoom, etc.

Creating value in data economy

– The success of analytics program of Metabolic Explorer has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in Chemical Manufacturing industry. This can help Metabolic Explorer to build a more holistic ecosystem for Metabolic Explorer products in the Chemical Manufacturing industry by providing – data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.

Reforming the budgeting process

- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Metabolic Explorer can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.

Use of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies for transactions in Chemical Manufacturing industry

– The popularity of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies as asset class and medium of transaction has opened new opportunities for Metabolic Explorer in the Chemical Manufacturing industry. Now Metabolic Explorer can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.

Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19

– consumer behavior has changed in the Chemical Manufacturing industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Metabolic Explorer 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. Metabolic Explorer 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.

Building a culture of innovation

– managers at Metabolic Explorer 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 Chemical Manufacturing industry.

Leveraging digital technologies

– Metabolic Explorer 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.

Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains

– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Metabolic Explorer 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 Metabolic Explorer to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.

Increase in government spending

– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Metabolic Explorer can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Metabolic Explorer operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Chemical Manufacturing sector.

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. Metabolic Explorer can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.

Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities

– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Metabolic Explorer 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 Metabolic Explorer to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.

Using analytics as competitive advantage

– Metabolic Explorer has spent a significant amount of money and effort to integrate analytics and machine learning into its operations in Chemical Manufacturing sector. This continuous investment in analytics has enabled Metabolic Explorer to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Metabolic Explorer to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.

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Threats Metabolic Explorer External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The threats of Metabolic Explorer are -

Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution

– Metabolic Explorer has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Chemical Manufacturing industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Metabolic Explorer needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Chemical Manufacturing 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.

Easy access to finance

– Easy access to finance in Chemical Manufacturing industry will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Metabolic Explorer can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.

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 Metabolic Explorer business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.

Shortening product life cycle

– it is one of the major threat that Metabolic Explorer is facing in Chemical Manufacturing sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.

Stagnating economy with rate increase

– Metabolic Explorer 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 Chemical Manufacturing 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. Metabolic Explorer needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Chemical Manufacturing industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.

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.

Barriers of entry lowering

– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry to Chemical Manufacturing industry are lowering. It can presents Metabolic Explorer with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the Chemical Manufacturing sector.

Learning curve for new practices

– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, Metabolic Explorer may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Chemical Manufacturing sector.

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 Metabolic Explorer.

Consumer confidence and its impact on Metabolic Explorer 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 Chemical Manufacturing industry and other sectors.

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 Metabolic Explorer in the Chemical Manufacturing sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.

Increasing wage structure of Metabolic Explorer

– 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 Metabolic Explorer.

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Weighted SWOT Analysis of Metabolic Explorer Template, Example

Not all factors mentioned under the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants in the SWOT Analysis are equal. Managers at Metabolic Explorer 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 Metabolic Explorer 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 Metabolic Explorer 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 Metabolic Explorer 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 Metabolic Explorer needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

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