The Strategy Formulation Process: Strategic Assessment Analysis of The External Environment
The Strategy Formulation Process: Strategic Assessment Analysis of The External Environment
Process
Strategic Assessment
Analysis of the external environment
Purpose of External Analysis
To understand the external
environment as it affects the
enterprise
3 levels of analysis:
General changes in business environment
Changes within the industry
Activities of competitors and other specifics
PEST Analysis
Political
Legislation and Regulation
International relations
Economic
Economic cycles
Currency rates
Capital, labour and commodity markets
Social
Demographics
Tastes
Environmental awareness
Technological
Process effect development
Product capability
Pressures affecting the view of the
external environment
Stakeholders
Corporate Governance
Corporate Responsibility
Porter’s5 forces
Government ideology & policy
Complementors
Potential
Entrants
Government
Ideology & Threat of Lobby
New Entrants
Policy Groups
Redefining industries Changing ground
and markets rules and values
Threats to
Suppliers Corporate Buyers
Bargaining Power Bargaining Power
of Suppliers survival of Buyers
Increasing rate
Loss of Support
or degree of change
Threat of
Fashion & Substitutes Complementors
Fickleness
Substitutes
Source Adapted from Porter, M.E. Competitive Advantage (Free Press 1995) and
Grove, A.S. Only the Paranoid Survive (Harper Collins 1996)
Figure 9.4 Life Cycle Matrix
Life Stage
START-UP GROWTH MATURITY DECLINEAGEING
Competitive
Position Grow Fast
Defend Position
Defend Position
Grow Fast Attain cost leader-
DOMINANT Attain cost leader- Renew
ship
ship Grow with industry
Renew
Grow Fast Reduce costs Find and hold Niche
STRONG Differentiate Catch-Up Differentiate Grow with industry
Grow Fast Differentiate Grow with industry Harvest profit
Differentiate
Harvest Profit
Focus Consolidate
Differentiate Find niche,
SATISFACTORY Grow with industry Cut costs
Focus Grow with industry
Grow Fast
Harvest Profit
Harvest, catch up
Focus Turnaround
WEAK Find and Hold niche Divest
Grow with Find Niche
Turnaround
industry Consolidate
Low Recognition
Value Design
Premium Price Innovative
Shared Political
Functionality
Comprehensive Reliability
Available Performance
Speed
Personalised Convenience
Symbiotic