Question

2 to conduct SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, Threat) to B2C EC taking jd.com or other B2C company as an example, pointing out its competitive strategy and core strengths.?

Answer 1

Chosen company: Microsoft Corp.

Company History: The company, Microsoft Corp is a well known American MNC, based on technology. The company was founded in the year 1975 and is headquartered at Redmond, Washington. The company has a diversified portfolio in technology and the company develops computer hardware as well as software, cloud computing, consumer electronics, etc.

Strategic direction that the company is pursuing: Before Apple, Microsoft was enjoying a monopoly in the software and hardware industry. With the advent of iPads and iPhones of Apple, the popularity of Microsoft has reduced considerably. Hence the strategic plan being pursued by Microsoft is to come up with initiatives and products, so as to offer strict competition to Apple and develop its competitive hold in the market.

The strategic direction is partially in alignment with the mission and vision of the company. When the company will come up with innovative products, lives of many will get facilitated and it will help them to realize their maximum potential.

SWOT of Microsoft Corp and its alignment with the strategic plan of the company:

• Strengths:
  • Rich field experience: This would help the company to revive back and attain its market hold
  • Diversified product portfolio: This will help Microsoft in developing a niche in its strongest product base
• Weaknesses:
  • Lagging in innovation: This can be a roadblock in the company’s strategic plan. Microsoft needs to invest in its R&D to facilitate its strategic plan
• Opportunities:
  • Growing market of smartphones: The company can capitalize on the growing market of smartphones to develop its niche and attain its strong market hold
• Threats:
  • Stiff competition from Apple: The company needs to work on reducing this competition, so as to develop its competitive edge in the industry