eBooks
Strategy Frameworks for Business
- Six SigmaSix Sigma is a methodology for improving the quality of operations management by eliminating errors and defects, reducing cost, and saving time. It is primarily intended for high-end engineering and manufacturing. True believers and practitioners in the Six Sigma method follow an approach called DMAIC, which stands for define, measure, analyze, improve, and control.
- Hill's FrameworkTerry Hill's operations strategy model provides an iterative framework that links together corporate objectives. The five steps of his framework involve: Corporate objectives, marketing strategy, win orders, delivery system choice, and infrastructure choice.
- VRIO FrameworkSimilar to Porter’s value chain strategy, the VRIO framework is used for evaluating the resources of a firm and its competencies. Large, multinational companies with efficient systems are best aligned to take advantage of the VRIO framework. The acronym stands for value, rarity, imitability, and organization.
- BCG Growth Share MatrixConsiders company competitiveness, and market attractiveness.
- McKinsey 7S ModelThis model maps seven interacting factors critical in achieving effectiveness in any organization: Structure, Strategy, Staff, Systems, Skills, Style, and Shared Values.
- Ansoff MatrixReferred to as the product/market expansion grid.
- Resource-Based ViewRBV is a strategy model that considers an organization's resources as key to sustainable competitive advantage.
- McKinsey Strategy Under Uncertainty ModelA four-part framework to help managers determine the level of uncertainty around strategic decisions. Includes true uncertainty, range of futures, alternative futures, and clear enough future.
- Balanced Score CardBSC is used to identify and improve various internal business functions and their resulting external outcomes.
- Market SegmentationMarket segmentation is not an exact science. At its core, segmenting helps businesses develop messaging aimed at specific groups of consumers. This analysis includes examining: Demographic, psychographic, behavioral, and geographic segments.
- 5C Market AnalysisThe 5C analysis is an extension of the 3C analysis (company, customers, and competitors). This analysis is well-suited to small and medium (SME) sized businesses.
Examples of Market Reports:
- Porter's Five ForcesA model that identifies and analyzes five competitive forces that shape every industry and helps determine an industry's weaknesses and strengths. Five Forces analysis is frequently used to identify an industry's structure to determine corporate strategy.
- Broad Factors Analysis (PEST)A Broad Factors Analysis assesses and summarizes the four macro-environmental factors — political, economic, socio-demographic (social), and technological.
- Risk ManagementSupply chain risk management refers to the process by which businesses take strategic steps to identify, assess, and mitigate risks within their end-to-end supply chain. Keep in mind: Much has changed in SCRM as a result of COVID-19.
- Theory of ConstraintsTOC is a process improvement methodology for identifying the most important limiting factor(s) (i.e. constraint) that stands in the way of achieving a business goal/objective, and working out how to eliminate or reduce their impact.
- Performance EvaluationTo improve the performance of a supply chain, it is essential to identify the parameters and sub-parameters affecting performance. Several important models for performance evaluation have been identified, including Gunasekaran’s framework, the SCOR model, the Supply Chain balanced scorecard (SCBSC) and the Bhagwat model for SMEs.
- Lean SCMThe continuous effort to reach minimal waste in every step of a supply chain, from production to consumption.
- Value Chain Analysis(VCA) is a process where a firm identifies its primary and support activities that add value to its final product and then analyze these activities to reduce costs or increase differentiation.
- Internationalization Theories3-minute overview of the Uppsala, Network, and Born Global models.
- Uppsala Internationalization ModelOtherwise known as the "Stage Model," this process explains how companies intensify their investments and activities in foreign markets.
- Born Global ModelBorn Global characterizes firms that have adopted an international or even global approach right from their birth or very shortly thereafter.
- Market Selection ProcessAn introduction to the subject of market selection in connection with an organization's internationalization process.
- Modes of International Market EntryIn general, there are 5 modes of entry into international business.