E-BUSINESS STRATEGY

Implementation of E-business Strategy

Introduction1

Profile of the Company1

Discussion2

Analytical Tools in the Strategic Management2

SWOT Analysis2

PEST Analysis5

Five Competitive Forces8

Generic Competitive Strategies11

Porter's Value Chain14

Appropriate E-Business Strategy for the Company16

Challenges in Adopting E-business16

Customer Centricity17

Identification of Tasks that need Automation17

Following the Best Practices17

Team Work17

Integrated Approach18

Critical Success Factors for E-business18

Developing a Consumer Centric Strategy18

Outsource to Improve Business Performance19

Acting like a New Entrant19

Information Management for Differentiating Product20

Becoming a Part of E-business Community20

Executive Leadership21

Critical Review of Process Analysis21

Conclusion23

References26

Implementation of E-business Strategy

Introduction

Profile of the Company

The company that has been used for this case study manufactures, maintains, services and supports the scientific machinery along with their accessories. It is a part of the bigger group that consists of privately owned companies that include electronic and defense system manufacturing company, a design company, electronics design company, specialist software and the precision mechanical engineering company. The focus of this entire group is to produce products that have exceptional quality and innovative for capturing new markets along with satisfying the requirement of the customers. The company was mainly a part of the international corporation which was the leader in the manufacturing of scientific instruments. In 1980, due to the business reasons the company decided to discontinue some of its operations. The company was bought and relocated to North East in England. The current general manager was appointed in 1995. Currently, the company has sixty five people along with an annual turnover of more than twenty five million pounds. The finance department has been centralized and the accountant is also responsible for managing the finance of company.

The company has the focus on project management and cost control due to which they have merged their repairs and spares services, maintenance and have moved towards instrumentation production and scientific machinery after they have established their customer support platform. They have the vision of the business and its future is shown in the introduction of innovative solutions and new products according to the requirements of the company. They also have the commitment for growing globally by setting agencies in new places.

The main products and services include information system design, upgrades and accessories, engineer training, refurbishment and relocation facilities, repairs, manufacturing and supply of spares, service support contracts and scientific machinery's design and manufacturing.

The most important aspect of the support and service is in its ability for providing the manufacturing facilities for an entire range of requirements of spares of the existing instruments. In their cost effective a support solution, the company gives in-house training to their customers in various aspects of instrumentation and machinery use which also include the diagnostics, finding of fault and repairing.

Discussion

Analytical Tools in the Strategic Management

SWOT Analysis

The SWOT analysis helps in identifying the negatives and positives inside the organization and outside it which consists of the external environment. Through the development of full awareness of the situation, the SWOT analysis can be helpful for both decision making and strategic planning (Riley, 2012, p. 01). The SWOT analysis provides a useful perspective and can be used to explore the possibilities ...