Strategy and Culture in the Emerging World - Essay Example

?[Projects] By Insert Presented to Location Due Introduction The manner in which a projectis managed determines its success. Previously, project management was done by any managers without any skills. However, today, companies are focusing on maximizing the success of project and are employing skilled project managers to man their various projects increasing the success rates. Successful management of a project involves management of resources such as time, scope, money and other resources. This is to ensure that they maximize the benefits accrued from the resources and are able to deliver the best results within the shortest time possible. Proper project management also ensures that the costs of a project are kept at a minimal (KOSTER, 2009: 321). This paper looks at two different project one by the Nokia company and another one by Microsoft Company. This information is the used to give recommendation to the CEO of Branby Solutions PLC as the company plans to expand its projects to the international market arena. Microsoft Windows project that became successful Microsoft company windows project that was launched in the year 1984, was very successful. It was not successful because it as one of its kind, but because it was well managed. Moreover, the company licensed different companies around the world to sell its product. The company therefore benefited from the company existing distribution network without making extra investment. Since the introduction of the first window 1.0 in 1985, Microsoft continue to the sole operating window provider having monopolized the industry and continue to produce modified operating systems with the latest one being windows eight. Nokia International Smart-Phone Project Although Nokia has been a leading player in the mobile phone industry, it has failed terribly in the introduction of its Smartphone in the international markets. The Nokia Lumia project was a complete failure. One of the reasons why Nokia Lumia failed in the market is lack of proper planning on the side of Nokia manufacturers. This is because Nokia release the Smartphone as a way of giving its client an alternative to the Apple’s Smartphone. The company did not put enough effort in developing innovative ways that their Smartphone would fulfill the needs of the end user. Nokia failed in recognizing the needs of the users as it has always done. Moreover, since it introduced it product after Apple’s Smartphone had become popular in the market; it took a second place (DINSMORE & CABANIS-BREWIN, 2011: 239). Nokia Lumia is also of a lower quality than other Nokia handsets. This is because the camera, which is one of the most admired features in Nokia product quality, is lower than that of its previous models. Discussions Findings Reasons Why Microsoft project succeeded Focus on development of one product. While Microsoft competitors were focusing on a wide range of products and would not renew them until the production of the next product. Microsoft focused on efficiency. Wide distribution network: Microsoft got its global presence by licensing different companies around the globe to sell her products. Innovativeness: Microsoft windows are innovative and focused on meeting the changing needs of the people. Why Nokia Smartphone Project failed Nokia has also invested a lot in advertising the Nokia Lumia instead of investing in the prompting the quality and uniqueness of the product. Its lack of innovativeness and not being on the forefront in satisfying the changing needs of the people failed. There is poor communication between Nokia and its customers and vice versa. It is not able to meet the needs of the client. It should be able to get the feedback from the client to learn their needs and use this information to create products that meet this need. Strategies of Project Management From the examples of Nokia projects that failed and succeeded above, five strategies that can be used to make an international project successful have been identified. a) Customer stakeholder’s focus One of the strategies that can be identified to be a source of success is customer stakeholders’ focus. Although a company may have its own separate goals and objectives, the needs of the client should always be prioritized. For instance, Nokia failed because it focused on producing a competitive product and enter into the Smartphone industry just because its key competitors were producing this product (MILLER & LESSARD, 2000: 271). It did not take time to focus on the customer needs and create a product that met this needs and is not seen as a copy product. b) Communication Customer focus goes hand in hand with promotion of communication between the company and its customers. The company should deliver the quality that it promises to deliver in its advertisement. For instance, Nokia invested a lot of cash in advertising its Nokia Lumia but the product ended up disappointing the users. Moreover, the company should be able to use the feedback from the customers in improving production. In the case of Nokia Smartphone, the customers were clearly not happy with the Nokia Lumia. It is the role of the distributors to communicate this information to the manufacturers so that they can develop a product that over comes the problem. However, it seems that there is a breakdown in communication between the customers and the Nokia products manufacturers. This is because the new windows phone has the same flaws present in the Nokia Lumia and is bound to fail. In order for a project to be successful, the project manager should identity the goals that it plans to meet and incorporate them in it project (BONHAM, 2008: 67). c) Identification of Potential Markets Another strategy that can be applied is identification of markets to develop the project. This is in terms of availability of resources and should an area where the cost of production is minimal. Microsoft success in introduction of the windows operating system was because the company was the first to be established in the industry. Investing in regions where there are already establishe companies would be harder to penetrate the market (AHLSTROM & BRUTON, 2010: 87). d) Innovativeness In investing in new projects, innovativeness is crucial in ensuring success in different global markets. This is because international markets have different cultures and different needs. This implies that product that may do well in one country may not have the same reception in a different country. Moreover, in the current business climate, consumer needs keep changing. Branby Solutions PLC deals with giving solutions to businesses that are operating in a highly competitive business climate. Moreover, the business climate keep on changing, today companies are focusing environmental awareness, tomorrow it will be something different and this changes the type of risks Branby Solutions PLC should offer solutions to its customers. (KERZNER, 2001: 217). The company should not only ask the employees to be innovative but it should create company cultures that encourage innovativeness. The management style should encourage the employees to come up with new ideas that are incorporated in the management decision making. e) Establishing a good distribution network When penetrating a new market, establishing a good distribution network is crucial. Just as the same way Microsoft succeeded because of having an extensive distribution network and company can apply the same strategy. If Branby Solutions PLC, was to set up software distribution stores in every region that it targets in the new market it would incur a lot of cost. Moreover, the company could benefit from joint advertisement strategies which would help establish Branby Solutions PLC brand initially (SEKHAR, n.d. , 21). This would reduce the market entry costs and give the company greater chances of succeeding in the new market. Branby Solutions PLC can then set up its own distribution stores to supplements those of the partnering company. Recommendations Branby Solutions PLC should conduct a research of the target companies in the new market and offer solutions that are applicable. The company should also be open to new innovations. When venturing into the international market, Branby Solutions PLC should have the needs of the clients as their main focus. The company should ensure that the solutions they offer are relevant to the client’s current needs. Branby Solutions PLC should identify virgin markets and start investing in them. It should invest international markets where companies offering risk management solutions do not exist before venturing into other markets. Being the first company to offer risk solutions in the international markets would establish the company brand before other players take their operations to these market. Branby Solutions PLC hould be relevant, it should be able to develop innovative software solution of dealing with the changing business climate. The company should be on the forefront in identifying the software needs of its clients. If Branby Solutions PLC gets complacent with the existing product that it offers, other companies in the industry would develop new solution making Branby Solutions PLC redundant. Branby Solutions PLC can be minimizing the cost by partnering with the local business distributors. Branby Solutions PLC would thus be able to use the partners existing distribution networks without additional cost. Conclusion This report is based on analysis of two projects by Nokia. The first project of Microsoft window operating system was successful and the second project of introducing Nokia Lumia Smartphone in the Market was not as successful. Branby Solutions PLC can get a lot of lessons from these two case studies and develop strategies that can be used by the company as it seeks to establish new projects in the international market. One of the strategies that have been identified is focusing on the customer stakeholder. Branby Solutions PLC new projects should be relevant to the client’s needs. Secondly, communication has been identified as a key strategy for success in foreign markets. Branby Solutions PLC should deliver the quality they promise their clients and should be able to incorporate the client’s feedback in production. Thirdly, identification of potential market is a key success where the company should invest in markets that have the best resources and have a pool of untapped market. Innovativeness has also been established as a key factor to success since Branby Solutions PLC deals with technology that is bound to become obsolete within a short period of time. Lastly, establishing a good distribution network by partnering with local software distributors is a good strategy in helping Branby Solutions PLC brand become established in the new market. Reference List AHLSTROM, D., & BRUTON, G. D. (2010). International management: strategy and culture in the emerging world. Australia, South-Western Cengage Learning. BONHAM, S. S. (2008). Actionable strategies through integrated performance, process, project, and risk management. Boston, Artech House. http://www.books24x7.com/marc.asp?bookid=32799. BRADBARY, D., & GARRETT, D. (2006). Herding Chickens Innovative Techniques for Project Management. Hoboken, John Wiley & Sons. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=267255. CATTANI, G. (2011). Project-based organizing and strategic management. Bingley, UK, Emerald Group. DINSMORE, P. C., & CABANIS-BREWIN, J. (2011). The AMA handbook of project management. New York, American Management Association. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=617419. HOWES, R., & TAN, J. H. M. (2003). Strategic management applied to international construction. London, Telford. KERZNER, H. (2001). Strategic Planning for Project Management Using a Project Management Maturity Model. New York, John Wiley & Sons. KOSTER, K. (2009). International Project Management. London, Sage Publications. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=743676. MILLER, R., & LESSARD, D. R. (2000). The strategic management of large engineering projects: shaping institutions, risks, and governance. Cambridge, Mass, MIT Press. SEKHAR, G. V. S. (n.d.). Business policy and strategic management. [S.l.], I K International Publi. Read More