Environmental Scan of internal and external factors that affect the business.
SWOT
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.
Strengths
patents, strong brand names, good reputation, cost advantages, exclusive access to resources, favorable distribution access.
Weaknesses
lack of patent protection, weak brand name, poor reputation, high cost structure, lack of access to resources, lack of distribution access.
Opportunities
unfulfilled customer needs, arrival of new technologies, loosening of regulations, removal of international trade barriers.
Threats
shifts in consumer tastes away from firm's product, emergence of substitute products, new regulations, increased trade barriers.
The Value Chain a set of interrelated generic activities common to a wide range of firms that can create a competitive advantage.
Inbound logistics receiving, warehousing, and inventory control of input materials.
Operations
value-creating activities that transform inputs into the final product.
Outbound logistics activities required to get the finished product to the customer, including warehousing, order fulfillment, etc.
Marketing and Sales activities associated with getting buyers to purchase the product, including channel selection, advertising, pricing, etc.
Service
activities that maintain and enhance the product's value including customer support, repair services, etc.
Support Activities
Procurement, Technology Development, Human Resource Management, Firm Infrastructure.
Procurement
the function of purchasing the raw materials and other inputs used in the value creating activities
Technology Development includes research and development, process automation, and other technology development used to support the value-chain activities.
Human Resource Management activities associated with recruiting, development, and compensation of employees.
Firm Infrastructure activities such as finance, legal, quality management, etc.
Strategic