2.“Value chain represents the internal activities a firm engages in when transforming inputs into outputs.”
The Internal Analysis of strengths and weaknesses focuses on internal factors that give an organization certain advantages and disadvantages in meeting the needs of its target market. Strengths refer to core competencies that give the firm an advantage in meeting the needs of its target markets. Any analysis of company strengths should be market oriented/customer focused because strengths are only meaningful when they assist the firm in meeting customer needs. Weaknesses refer to any limitations a company faces in developing or implementing a strategy (?). Weaknesses should also be examined from a customer perspective because customers often perceive weaknesses that a company cannot see. Being market focused when analyzing strengths and weaknesses does not mean that non-market oriented strengths and weaknesses should be forgotten. Rather, it suggests that all firms should tie their strengths and weaknesses to customer requirements. Only those strengths that relate to satisfying a customer need should be considered true core competencies. (Marketing and Its Environment, pg 44)
The following area analyses are used to look at all internal factors effecting a company:
•Resources: Profitability, sales, product quality brand associations, existing overall brand, relative cost of this new product, employee capability, product portfolio analysis
•Capabilities: Goal: To identify internal strategic strengths, weaknesses, problems, constraints and uncertainties
Notes: When thinking about Six flags, I realize that the brand name is perhaps its’ greatest asset. The strength of the brand name has allowed for many licensing agreements.Six Flags has