In: Operations Management
In 300 words answer the following questions
Assess whether Caterpillar Inc. leverages the appropriate value and cost drivers for their business strategy.
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Caterpillar Inc’s competitive advantages.
Assess whether Caterpillar Inc. leverages the
appropriate value and cost drivers for their business
strategy.
We can define a value driver as a capability or an activity that
adds value/worth to a product/service or a company. In other words,
they are activities that increase profitability, promote growth,
and reduce risk, according to strategic goals. A cost driver, on
the contrary, is an activity that results in changes in the
activity's cost. Caterpillar Inc. leverages appropriate cost and
value drivers. The company leverages an information-driven approach
to guide the company’s decision-making process. This usually
positions the company on sustained profitable growth. The company
is always devoted to understanding the customers’ needs, hence
delivering the leading products/services in the industry.
Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of Caterpillar Inc’s
competitive advantages.
There are several aspects and factors that add to the corporation’s
competitive advantage. These factors make the corporation
noticeable irrespective of the endless competition in the industry.
Caterpillar’s competitive advantage includes its strong and sound
brand image and its strong world-wide distribution network, to name
a few. The corporation’s strong and sound brand image has enabled
the company to increase its customer base. It has also allowed the
company to introduce new products/services easily and has enhanced
customer loyalty. Strong world-wide distribution network has
ensured that the company’s products/services reach all customers,
hence increasing its profitability. However, the company is less
innovative.This weakness makes the corporation vulnerable to
opponents that invest in the technology aggressively. The company
also has limited connections in emergent markets. This weakness
prevents the company from maximizing profits and revenues.