11 - Strategy development Flashcards
3 core strategic pathways
Organic growth
Acquisition
Strategic alliance
Organic growth as strategic pathway - 5- advantages
- Lower risk
- Allows for ongoing learning
- More control over strategy, culture
- Minimises disruption (smoother)
- Leads to self-reliance
Organic growth as strategic pathway - 3 disadvantages
- Slow
- Lack of early knowledge
- Misreading of markets
Acquisition as strategic pathway - 4 advantages
- Rapid access to resources
- Rapid access to greater marketplace
- Buys presence, market share, expertise
- Opportunity for restructuring
Acquisition as strategic pathway - 5 disadvantages
- High cost
- High risk
- Cultural mismatch across business
- Managerial mismatch (in ambition and salary)
- Potential for forced disposal of assets if monopolistic
Strategic alliance as strategic pathway - 5 advantages
- Cheaper than acquisition
- Access to market knowledge and complementary resources
- Risk is spread
- Increased speed of access to market
- Reduced political and legal complications as no external approval required
Strategic alliance as strategic pathway - 3 disadvantages
- Risk of reputational damage caused by partner in alliance
- Differences in ideas on strategy, direction between partners in alliance
- Confusion as to who people work for and report to
When would a company not pursue either organic development, strategic alliance or acquisition for growth?
If they are comfortable with current business parameters and restrictions and do not want to grow the business at all
What is absolutely vital prior to proceeding with an acquisition?
Due diligence process
7 generic considerations as part of due diligence process for target
- Why the entity is for sale
- Target’s current strategic position
- Target’s market standing and reputation
- Understanding of target’s current and previous business plan
- Soundness and integrity of target’s financial results
- Culture and ethos of target
- Any issues facing the target, such as regulatory, litigation, etc.
3 broad areas of motivation for acquisition
Strategic
Financial
Managerial
3 strategic motives for acquisition
- Extension of customer potential (geog, products, markets)
- Reduction of competitors (through consolidation) can allow raising prices
- Increasing efficiency through sharing of resources
What is meant by strategic alliance?
2 or more orgs sharing resources in pursuit of common strategy
3 main motives behind strategic alliance as preferred strategic pathway
- Rapid achievement of critical-mass scale
- Complementarity of differing capabilities ensuring more holistic business
- Learning potential from working closely with partners within alliance
4 types of strategic alliance
- Customer-end network
- Supplier-end network
- Formal partnership
- Joint-venture