The Mckinsey’s 7S Framework suggests that there is a multiplicity of factors that influence an organization’s ability to change and its proper mode of change. Because of the interconnections of the variables, it would be difficult to make significant progress in one area without making progress in the others as well. There is no starting point or implied hierarchy in the shape of the diagram, and it is not obvious which of the seven factors would be the driving force in changing a particular organization at a certain point of time. The critical variables would be different across organizations and in the same organizations at different points of time. History of Mckinsey’s 7S Framework The 7S Framework was first mentioned in “The Art Of Japanese Management” by Richard Pascale and Anthony Athos in 1981. They had been investigating how Japanese industry had been so successful. At around the same time Continue reading
Strategic Management Tools
Technology Adoption Life Cycle
Geoffrey Moore, An American organizational theorist, management consultant and author, in his books Crossing the Chasm (1991) and Inside the Tornado (1995), draws on marketing theory and high-tech experience to describe the elements of the product life cycle for technology innovations. His work examines how communities respond to discontinuous innovations – or any new products or services that require the end user in the marketplace to dramatically change their past behavior. He describes how companies must position their products differently through the cycle to reach their full sales potential and become an industry standard instead of a novelty. Many new technologies start along a classic new product diffusion curve, but fail soon thereafter. Through the various phases of the technology adoption life cycle, very different strategies for product and service offering and positioning are called for. The basis of the technology adoption life cycle is similar to the Continue reading
Grand Strategy Matrix
The Grand Strategy Matrix has become a popular tool for formulating feasible strategies, along with the SWOT Analysis, SPACE Matrix, BCG Matrix, and IE Matrix. Grand strategy matrix is the instrument for creating alternative and different strategies for the organization. All companies and divisions can be positioned in one of the Grand Strategy Matrix’s four strategy quadrants. The Grand Strategy Matrix is based on two dimensions: competitive position and market growth. Data needed for positioning SBUs in the matrix is derived from the portfolio analysis. This matrix offers feasible strategies for a company to consider which are listed in sequential order of attractiveness in each quadrant of the matrix. Quadrant I (Strong Competitive Position and Rapid Market Growth) – Firms located in Quadrant I of the Grand Strategy Matrix are in an excellent strategic position. The first quadrant refers to the firms or divisions with strong competitive base and operating Continue reading
Intensive Growth Strategies – Ansoff Matrix – Product-Market Grid
Intensive Growth Strategies – Expansion through Intensification Intensification involves expansion within the existing line of business. Intensive growth strategy involves safeguarding the present position and expanding in the current product-market space to achieve growth targets. Such an approach is very useful for enterprises that have not fully exploited the opportunities existing in their current products-market domain. A firm selecting an intensification strategy, concentrates on its primary line of business and looks for ways to meet its growth objectives by increasing its size of operations in its primary business. Intensive expansion of a firm can be accomplished in three ways, namely, market penetration, market development and product development first suggested in Ansoff’s model. Intensification strategy is followed when adequate growth opportunities exist in the firm’s current products-market space. However, while going in for internal expansion, the management should consider the following factors. While there are a number of expansion options, Continue reading
Ashridge Portfolio Matrix
Corporate Parenting is a strategy employed by highly centralized and diversified firms with large resource pools. It views the corporation in terms of resources and capabilities that can be used to build business units value as well as generate synergies across business units. Corporate parenting generates corporate strategy by focusing on the core competencies of the parent corporation and on the value create from the relationship between the parent and its businesses. There are basically three styles of corporate parenting as follows; financial control, strategic planning and strategic control. Financial Control: Under this style the role of the corporate parent is to monitor and evaluate the financial performance of investment portfolio of the respective business units. The corporate managers act as agents on behalf of share holders and financial markets to identify and acquire viable assets and businesses. The business unit managers are given the autonomy to carry out business Continue reading