Presentation on Bangladesh

 
 

 

 

 

 

Week 15: Case study - Madonna

1. Why has this artist been so successful? What are her key sources of sustainable competitive advantage?

— think about her unique resources and core competencies, think about how she has responded to changes in the external environment, why is she difficult to imitate?

> Madonna, the diva and a rock star who has ruled the music world for past few decades and is still rocking it is the highest ever paid female singer in the world. She has always been on the top list and has set a benchmark in the music world. I think she has been so successful because as the case mentioned her as a chameleon, she had the guts and courage to reshape herself up in every new album. She was always able to shock and surprise her huge fan following with every comeback she made which would display a new image of her. With this going she had her strategy well planned and implemented correctly. She used her sexuality and her attitude in every change she brought up which eventually was loved and adored by the public.

“I'm tough, I'm ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” 

― Madonna (goodreads.com,2013). Like this quote written by her explains how ambitious she is and it doesn't matter to her if others don't like her for doing what she wants to do. She has this attitude that people love and yet again Madonna pioneers and endures as one of the most influential celebrity women in the planet.

Madonna and her ever changing images has always been able to wow the crowd. From her very first album till now she has maintained the popularity meter by adopting into several genres of songs and her involvement in shocking activities. She was often called as 'the queen of controversy', she had a book featuring her sexual pictures,the music video for her legendary hit single 'like a prayer' was outrageous and universally banned, she adopted a Malawi child all this kind of shocking news she created rather was interesting for the public.

She has always changed and adopted herself with the change in time and era. Music industry is full of one hit wonders and brief careers but Madonna was one celebrity that remained at the top for decades. 

Her key sources of sustainable competitive advantage are:

• She is a chameleon as mentioned in the case. She changes and improves herself up with the time and era.
•  No one can imitate her because no one knows what surprise she is going to bring in her next come back.
• She eventually has a huge and loyal fan following, who has been supporting her for decades.
• She has her strategy well planned and uses it correctly.
• Her changing genres of songs, reshaping herself up time and again has build up respect for her talent among the people.

2.What strategy directions could the artist pursue over the next ten years to continue her commercial success?

— Consider each of the four boxes from the Ansoff matrix. What new products or markets could she enter? How might she diversify or continue to penetrate her existing market? Try to think logically but also creatively and innovatively.

> Over the next ten years the artist can pursue following strategy directions to continue her commercial success:

The Ansoff matrix for Madonna to continue her commercial success:

Market Penetration She being a brand in herself can easily join in new labels and sign deals. She can continue and give more focus on working as a director.	New Products and services She can endorse her own clothing line, makeup, accessories e.t.c. She can sign up some television shows so as to keep impressing her   fans.
Market Development She should think of giving a concert tour in Asian countries as well so as to add up to her fan following numbers.	Diversification She can write a book on herself and her success story. She can establish a Music school.

References:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/104438.Madonna accessed on october, 2013

http://www.studymode.com/course-notes/Keys-To-Madonna's-Success-856935.html, accessed on october, 2013

Week 14: Case Study: Virgin Group

1.Difference between 'business unit level' strategy and 'corporate level' strategy.

Business unit level strategy:

Business level strategies are essentially positioning strategies whereby businesses tend to secure for themselves an identity and position in the market(gaebler.com,2013). It refers to the kind of strategy that basically focuses on an organisation's competitive advantage. Business unit level strategy is often practiced in the organisation which have several strategic business units (SBU). It concerns with one's position in the industry as compared to it's competitors. 

Corporate level strategy:

The overall scope and direction of a corporation and the way in which its various business operations work together to achieve particular goals (businessdictionary.com, 2013). This kind of strategy involves in the determination of a firm's goals and objectives and also the range of businesses they want to pursue as a whole. Unlike business unit level strategy, it is basically the main strategy of a firm that defines it's main purpose and scope.   

corporate level strategy	Business unit level strategy
It refers to the strategy that is used to define a firms's ultimate purpose and goal as a whole.	It refers to the strategy that helps a firm define it's competitive advantage as compared to it's competitors.
Decisions are made by the Top level management.	Decisions are made by the Middle level management.
It is the strategy that relates to firms overall purpose and scope.	It is the strategy only for a single strategic business unit (SBU) of a firm.
Allocation of resources takes place.	Best Utilization of resources takes place so as to gain competitive advantage.
It only involves one strategy so as to function the organization as a whole.	It involves different sets of strategies for different product line.

2. Discuss the corporate parenting style of Virgin group.

>Virgin group is a British multinational branded project capital corporation company. the primary business zones of the company are travel, entertainment and lifestyle and it has more than 400 companies globally.

Virgin Group was founded by Sir Richard Branson on 1970.  This group operates several lines of product and services.  Ranging from mobile telephony, travel, financial service, lecture music, holding and health and wellness. Virgin group are a part of a one big family rather than a hierarchy, thus operates with a decentralized power. Parenting style support and practice some management style in every business sector they control and operates under same brand name. it also includes partnership with other industries. Overall, the brand name, joint ventures and investors has lead virgin group toward success. 

References:

EHOW ARTICLE (2013), Wendel Clark [Online] Available fromhttp://www.ehow.com/info_7904252_difference-corporate-strategy-business-strategy.html (Accessed on 9 Oct, 2013)

Virgin Group. (2012). “Virgin Corporate History.” London: Virgin Management Ltd. [Online] Available from http://www.virgin.com [Accessed on 9 Oct, 2013]

A Company Profile: Virgin, [Online] Available from http://www.examiner.com/article/a-company-profile-virgin, [Accessed on 9 Oct, 2013]

htwtp://ww.gaebler.com/Three-Levels-of-Strategy.htm (Accessed on 9 oct 2013)

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/corporate-strategy.html (Accessed on 9 oct 2013)