Role and Impact of Strategic Thinking for the Competitive Options of Anglo American Mining Company - Assignment Example

Download file to see previous pages... The Ansoff Matrix. (Electronic print) Available at: (Accessed 19th June 2012) 24 List of Figures and Tables Figure 1: A graph representing Profit in Million Dollar against Business Unit in 2010...........7 Figure 2: The Ansoff matrix-business……………………………………………………….10 Figure 3: Representation of porter’s diamond……………………………………………….12 Table 1: The 2010 profit distribution in various business units of the company……………...6 Role and Impact of Strategic Thinking for the Competitive Options of Anglo American Mining Company Section A Anglo American is one of the globally dominant mining companies. It is an international mining company with operations stretching from Europe through Africa to North and South America among other nations. It has an employee pool of approximately 100,000. Its portfolio is normally focused on mining and exploitation of natural resources. Some of these natural resources include platinum, diamonds, metallurgical coal and nickel (Jack, 2003, p.55; Runge, 2003). According to BBC business news (2012), the Anglo American management predicts a robust improvement in demand for its commodities as exemplified by 2011 revenues, which showed operating profits increased by 14% to record $11.1bn (?7bn). According to the company director, Rene Medori, the company is expanding iron ore business in West Africa and Brazil (BBC, 2011). This paper discusses business strategies that enables the company attain competitive advantage over its competitors. Strategic Setting A strategy defines short to long-term plan by which the objectives and aims of an organization are achieved. The company has a range of strategic programs formulated to improve performance of the company as well as minimizing the impact of its operations on the environment. The company also targets to uplifting the lifestyle of the resident communities in those regions where it operates (Campbell, 2007). They develop programs that support innovation and application of new technology. The company has also invested in use of alternative energy such as wind power that accounts for 20% of the company’s energy supply. This prevents shortages or depletion of energy sources like organic fuels. Wind power is more reliable and does not pollute the environment. Values The company culture is determined by value statement. Anglo-American company has six strategic values that guide its business operations, these are; 1. Safety for the employees and environmental welfare: This value postulates that the company cannot maintain enhanced productivity for a longer time without ensuring them of their safety such as protective clothing and insurance schemes. Measures applied in catering for environmental welfare include rehabilitation of mines and reduction of sound pollution especially in Africa that provides 76% of the company’s workforce. 2. Accountability; Activities such as corruption or any measure that may result into enticing any parties to get favors. This ensures that the all employees are treated equally ...Download file to see next pagesRead More