Business Examples Flashcards
How ethos and values affect a business mission?
Body Shop heavily influenced by ethos and values of its founder, Anita Roddick
How are mission, corporate objectives and strategy linked?
Google’s mission is to organise the world’s information.
This informs Google’s objectives which include improving user experiences and a strategy to support this objective is investing in long-term research and development to discover new technologies.
Example of a strategic approach.
Tesco
Tesco taking over Booker in 2018 is a strategic approach to growth which may require many resources and can be hard to reverse. Booker is a food supplier and merging with Tesco could have provided purchasing economies of scale
Example of a tactical approach.
Tesco
Tesco deciding to trial new scanning technology in one of its stores. This is a tactical approach to improving the use of technology which requires fewer resources and can be abandoned or reversed.
Strengths of Uber (SWOT analysis).
- A famous brand name. Uber is perceived by most consumers as innovative.
- 110 million users in the world
- 69% market share in 2019 in the USA
Weaknesses of Uber (SWOT analysis).
- There are lots of other taxi-ordering services like Lyft, MyTaxi, Kapten, Hailo etc.
- There are lots of other food delivery services like Just Eat and Deliveroo.
- Uber is not very profitable. As of 2020, Uber’s net profit margins were below 0%.
Opportunities for Uber (SWOT analysis).
Uber has already tried to expand internationally with its taxi service, so there is not a growth opportunity there. However:
- It already offers taxis and food delivery in the USA, where it has a big market share. It could offer more services, like grocery delivery, or it could create an Uber banking app and give you food & taxi credits on there for using it. Kinda like Venmo or PayPal.
- Uber also has a great app with lots of data on traffic and people’s movement. It could offer this to delivery or postal businesses like Royal Mail, Deutsche Post or UPS (in the USA).
Threats for Uber (SWOT analysis).
- Businesses that make cars, like Daimler (which owns Mercedes) have invested in taxi-rental apps.
- Self-driving (autonomous) cars could mean that Uber’s network of drivers is no longer a big advantage in being able to offer consumers rides or food delivery quickly.
Core competencies examples.
- IKEA -Innovstive design capabilities and unique organisational culture.
- Apple- integrated ecosystem of software and devices and design built around the user.
- Domino’s- integration of multi-channel system and profitable franchise model.
- Starbucks - localised customer experience and differentiated global brand.
Business example for advantage of core competencies.
Core competences allow businesses to add value throughout their production process.
For example, Apple’s reputation as an innovative technology manufacturer allows it to add value to the products it creates, as customers are usually happy to pay a higher price for a product associated with the brand.
Example of disadvantage of outsourcing non-core competences.
Apple outsourced the production of some mobile phone components to Foxconn, who have been accused of poor working conditions and safety breaches.
Business examples to suggest that all 4 areas of the Kaplan and Scorecard should be looked at not just financial performance.
if Foxconn assessed its performance using the balanced scorecard, employee engagement concerns may be identified which affect the business’ overall performance, despite profit and profitability data indicating greater performance within the area of finance.
Elkington Triple Bottom Line application-BP
When measuring the performance of BP using financial information such as profit and profitability, managers and leaders may see indications of success. However, when using Elkington’s Triple Bottom Line, managers and leaders may have concerns about BP’s performance because of its impact on the environment (planet) following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill which also led to many deaths (people).
How political and legal changes can be a threat to a business?
the introduction of the National Living Wage presented a threat for many businesses as total costs increased.
Example of impact of competition law.
In 2016 Three’s takeover of mobile operator, O2 was banned on the basis that competition would be reduced substantially and this could lead to the exploitation of consumers.
Example of impact of environmental law.
VW was accused of an environmental scandal which failed to comply with environmental regulations.
Example of how small enterprises are supported.
Responsibility of The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 make it easier for small businesses to establish and grow in the UK.
Furthermore the government provides schemes for those wishing to access a loan for the purpose of starting a new business.
Example of regulators.
the Financial Conduct Authority is a financial regulator which can intervene in banking and lending products to ensure customers are receiving a fair and transparent deal.