MGMT 599 Internal Analysis and SWOT Analysis Module 4 - SLP
Module 4 - SLP
Required Reading
If you are having trouble determining how to integrate the SWOT factors with different strategies, the following two readings may help.
1) The first article includes some examples of how RBV variables can be used to leverage a cost or differentiation strategy:
Competitive Advantage (2007). Retrieved on November 6, 2012, from: http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/competitive-advantage/
2) The second reading demonstrates how a cost, differentiation, or focus strategy can help a company defend itself against Porter's Five Forces:
Porter's Generic Strategies. (2007). Retrieved on November 6, 2012, from: http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/generic.shtml
Assignment
In this module, using the Kraft Foods Group, we will be integrating the results of our SWOT with our chosen strategy.
Keys to the Assignment
Step 1: Create a 5x5 table with the four strategies listed across the top and the four SWOT variables at left as follows:
Low cost
Differentiation
Focus
Preemptive
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Step 2: Using your work in Modules 2 and 3 as it relates to the Kraft Foods Group, select one element from any of the analytical models we studied that contributes to each of the four SWOT variables. For example, for Weaknesses, you may want to choose an element from Porter's Value Chain (say, operations), while for Opportunities you may want to select something from the PEST analysis (say, sociocultural factors). Select one for Strengths and Threats as well.
Step 3: Enter the elements you have chosen with the corresponding SWOT variable. Below, "strong competitive rivalry" has been chosen for Threats. Note that other choices could have been high barriers to entry, high bargaining power of suppliers or customers, high substitutability (from Five Forces analysis), or a specific political, economic, social, or technological factor (from PEST). Complete this process for all four SWOT variables.
Low cost
Differentiation
Focus
Preemptive
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats: Strong competitive rivalry
Step 4: This is potentially the most challenging part. Indicate the impact each strategy might have on each SWOT factor you have chosen by offering a business action that will address the SWOT. For example, follow the threat “strong competitive rivalry” across all four generic strategies. How would a low-cost strategy address an industry environment characterized by intense rivalry? What about a differentiation strategy? Focus? Preemptive? In other words, you are considering the same industry threat, but addressing it differently depending on the chosen strategy. See the example below:
Low cost
Differentiation
Focus
Preemptive
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats: Strong competitive rivalry
Undercut rivals on price through operational economies
Brand loyalty attracts repeat customers
Find an underserved market segment that rivals are unwilling to serve
Beat rivals out of the gate, establish dominant position
Thus, the strategic action you choose to fill in a given blank should do two things: 1) offer a tactic for taking advantage of a strength or opportunity or for managing a threat or weakness, and 2) follow the basic thrust of the strategy in that column.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated on the following points:
Precision - Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
Breadth - Is the full breadth of the subject (i.e., the Keys to the Assignment) addressed?
Depth - Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the Background readings and other Background resources as references?
Critical thinking - Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?
Clarity - Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of quotations?
Organization - Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?
Referencing (citations and references) - Does the paper include citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the Background readings and assignment present and properly cited? Are all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via citation?
Application - Are the concepts of the module appropriately applied to the subject?
Module 4 - SLP
Required Reading
If you are having trouble determining how to integrate the SWOT factors with different strategies, the following two readings may help.
1) The first article includes some examples of how RBV variables can be used to leverage a cost or differentiation strategy:
Competitive Advantage (2007). Retrieved on November 6, 2012, from: http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/competitive-advantage/
2) The second reading demonstrates how a cost, differentiation, or focus strategy can help a company defend itself against Porter's Five Forces:
Porter's Generic Strategies. (2007). Retrieved on November 6, 2012, from: http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/generic.shtml
Assignment
In this module, using the Kraft Foods Group, we will be integrating the results of our SWOT with our chosen strategy.
Keys to the Assignment
Step 1: Create a 5x5 table with the four strategies listed across the top and the four SWOT variables at left as follows:
Low cost
Differentiation
Focus
Preemptive
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Step 2: Using your work in Modules 2 and 3 as it relates to the Kraft Foods Group, select one element from any of the analytical models we studied that contributes to each of the four SWOT variables. For example, for Weaknesses, you may want to choose an element from Porter's Value Chain (say, operations), while for Opportunities you may want to select something from the PEST analysis (say, sociocultural factors). Select one for Strengths and Threats as well.
Step 3: Enter the elements you have chosen with the corresponding SWOT variable. Below, "strong competitive rivalry" has been chosen for Threats. Note that other choices could have been high barriers to entry, high bargaining power of suppliers or customers, high substitutability (from Five Forces analysis), or a specific political, economic, social, or technological factor (from PEST). Complete this process for all four SWOT variables.
Low cost
Differentiation
Focus
Preemptive
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats: Strong competitive rivalry
Step 4: This is potentially the most challenging part. Indicate the impact each strategy might have on each SWOT factor you have chosen by offering a business action that will address the SWOT. For example, follow the threat “strong competitive rivalry” across all four generic strategies. How would a low-cost strategy address an industry environment characterized by intense rivalry? What about a differentiation strategy? Focus? Preemptive? In other words, you are considering the same industry threat, but addressing it differently depending on the chosen strategy. See the example below:
Low cost
Differentiation
Focus
Preemptive
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats: Strong competitive rivalry
Undercut rivals on price through operational economies
Brand loyalty attracts repeat customers
Find an underserved market segment that rivals are unwilling to serve
Beat rivals out of the gate, establish dominant position
Thus, the strategic action you choose to fill in a given blank should do two things: 1) offer a tactic for taking advantage of a strength or opportunity or for managing a threat or weakness, and 2) follow the basic thrust of the strategy in that column.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated on the following points:
Precision - Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?
Breadth - Is the full breadth of the subject (i.e., the Keys to the Assignment) addressed?
Depth - Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the Background readings and other Background resources as references?
Critical thinking - Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?
Clarity - Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of quotations?
Organization - Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?
Referencing (citations and references) - Does the paper include citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the Background readings and assignment present and properly cited? Are all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via citation?
Application - Are the concepts of the module appropriately applied to the subject?
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