Week 4: Clear

Photo by Ralf Beuker. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ralfbeuker/3459877292/lightbox/

This week I thought the concept that was clear this week was the operational effectiveness concept. Operational effectiveness is doing the same task better than rivals do it. One of the problems with implementing this strategy is the possibility of sameness. Meaning that instead of taking a risk and coming up with something new you manufacture or create the same idea as a rival company and don’t differentiate you.

            This concept is paramount in the business environment. However, I think it is only useful for getting your foot in the door in the business environment. Once you are competitive within your business industry, then you can take a chance and develop something unique from your rivals. If your new idea fails then you can go back to what made you a success. If Bill Gates and Microsoft hadn’t focused on software as opposed to hardware like Apple then Microsoft wouldn’t be as valuable as it is today.

            I found an article that explains how operational effectiveness has to be combined with the right strategy in order to be truly effective. You have to be at least as good as your competitors, or the right strategy won’t help you. However, once you rise to the level of your competitors then you can begin to implement your strategy. Here is the link to article: http://www.realisation.com.au/site1/Articles/Operational%20effectiveness.htm