Managing a Portfolio of Strategic Opportunities
Managerial challenges in implementing strategies that are risky, innovative and novel
Distinguishing in which the strategies of the firm relate to dynamic context
Dynamism at times can have dramatic impact on the quality of the strategies of a firm. Indeed, it can undermine competitive advantage of an organization. This can take place at a blinding speed though at extended period. The managers are therefore, supposed to analyze the speed of change in an industry because the rate at which a strategy is implemented can compound or complement the impact of industry evolution, globalization and technological discontinuities (Asan & Soyer, 2012).
Identifying, comparing and contrasting the different routes to revolutionary strategies
Revolutionary strategies do not follow the existing rules of competition in the industry. Instead, they create value through approaching competition by violating some of the rules taken for granted (Thompson & Strickland, 2013). It is therefore a challenge for managers to preconceive services and products either through creating new value curve or by separate form and function.
Choosing a first mover strategy
First movers in the markets are the one who initiate strategies before their rivals enter the market. Managers therefore, have challenges in introducing the new product in the market. Managers also have to come up with a strategy of competing with the fast followers.
Challenges in implementing strategies that are closely related to existing businesses
Identifying defensive mechanist
Identifying defensive mechanist for reducing competition is a challenge. The managers have the challenge of ensuring that the firm has a defensive mechanism put in place such as containment, shaping, and absorption (Carpenter & Sanders, 2014). This assists the manager to recognize when an incumbent is caught off-guard.
Setting pace and speed
Managers also have the challenge of setting pace and speed. Managers have to ensure that there is speed of change as they move from one horizon to another. It is therefore, challenging to maintain the right pace in organization strategies.
Technique from the reading
Hybrid disruption strategy
This refers to use of combination of low-end and new-market disruption strategies. For instance, apart from using a low-end disruption strategy, Amazon creates new markets along the way by attracting more buyers in the market (Katsoulakos & Katsoulacos, 2010).
References
Asan, U., & Soyer, A. (2012). Identifying strategic management concepts: An analytic network process approach. Computers & Industrial Engineering. doi:10.1016/j.cie.2007.11.003
Carpenter, M. & Sanders, W. G. (2014). Strategic management: Concepts. (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.
Katsoulakos, T., & Katsoulacos, Y. (2010). Strategic management, corporate responsibility and stakeholder management Integrating corporate responsibility principles and stakeholder approaches into mainstream strategy: a stakeholder-oriented and integrative strategic management framework.
Thompson, A. A., & Strickland, A. J. (2013). Strategic management: Concepts and cases. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.