Have you ever agonized on how, where and when you should make major strategic changes? Using the now proven 5 Forces Analysis can help to objectify tough strategic decisions and improve your competitive advantage.
In 1979, the tired and inadequate SWOT analysis went out the window when Harvard’s Michael Porter introduced his 5 Forces Analysis. It helps companies to realize improved profits, competitiveness and clearer strategy. It improves your understanding of both the strengths of your current competitive position and the strengths of a position you are considering moving into.
What is the number and capability of the significant competitors you must consider? Do you have relatively equal products and services amongst competition, or do you have distinct competitive advantages over the Competition?
How easy is it for suppliers to drive up prices? How unique are the products and services of your key inputs? How abundant or scarce are quality suppliers?
How easy is it for buyers to drive prices down? How little does it cost a customer to switch to a competitor? Is there a large abundant market of buyers or a relatively tight small market?
What is the likelihood and ease with which customers can find a different way to do what you do?
What is the ability and ease with which new competitors can enter your market? Do you have strong or little protection around your key technologies? Are there high or low barriers of entry into your market?
First, consider the trends and shifts of the recent past in your industry. What have been the specific trends in each of the 5 Forces? Has competition become more and more intense? Have suppliers and buyers had increasing power? Has the threat of substitutes increased in the past? Have new competitors been entering your industry, or have they been leaving?
Trends change. While the last three, five or ten years may have been shifting in one direction with any of the 5 Forces, currently what is the state of that force? Analyze each area as to what you, your team and objective third parties believe to be the direction of each force currently.
Although a force may be currently moving in one direction, a change may be imminent. Consider what developments are likely and list them out. Include possible problems that could arise, as discussed in our Potential Problems Analysis article.
After your analysis, you can begin to prioritize actions for implementation around the objective of optimizing and protecting profitability. This is done by countering the power and thus profit-draining impact within each force. Within each force, there may be many opportunities for your team to take action that may improve profitability.
Ultimately by using the 5 Forces Analysis, you can begin leading your industry with profit improving innovation that also derives ever-greater value for your customers and the market.
Each Tuesday, turnaround consultant Mark Faust will be sharing his expertise on how to turn around your small business. His blogs will be filled with practical insights and basic turnaround strategies designed to guide you through crisis leadership and change management. You'll be able to tap into tips on everything from profitability issues, business continuity plans and pandemic pivots to operational processes, marketing and customers additional value.
As one of the companies he helped grow, we know first hand how inspiring his leadership is and just how well it works! Mark has also agreed to make his best-selling book ‘Growth or Bust’ available, free of charge, to any small business to help them create their own effective turnaround plan. We’ll be sharing that with you soon.
You can learn more about Mark and his company, Echelon Management, by clicking here.
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