Tech Products

The physical and virtual value chain model

Value chain analysis helps to describe the various separate activities within a firm and to assess their performance when combined into a system in producing value for money solutions. According to the now-traditional model introduced by M. Porter 19 , there are five categories of primary activities and four categories of support activities. This model helps top managers to pinpoint the key activities of the firm and their interrelations with others to yield maximum value for customers in...

Managing distributors of hightech products

The decision to sell products through a distributor is only one step in the process. A distributor must be selected, directed, and evaluated. Again, the characteristics of high technology impose slightly different criteria compared to those of more traditional products. Every company that is looking for a distributor judges that distributor on its sales experience, financial situation, image toward customers of the target markets, the number and quality of its sales people, and the quantity and...

Strategic groupings of companies

Generally speaking, in a particular market, the more companies are alike, the more they will have a tendency to compete against each other. This observation leads to the definition of strategic groups a collection of companies that have performed similar strategic choices. Usually a strategic group acts as a reference point for group members in formulating competitive strategy. The number and size of strategic groups, as well as the strategic distance that separates them should be correctly...