The TOM Challenge: TOM Winners and Losers Assignment

December 09, 2015

Read The Full Prompt

The basic thesis of the TOM course is that company performance is driven by the alignment between the company’s business model and operating model. As defined in the “Introduction to the RC TOM Course” note, a business model is defined as how the firm creates and captures value, and an operating model refers to the processes that transform a firm’s assets (e.g., capital, labor, intellectual property, equipment, etc.) into valuable actions.

Please identify one organization in the global economy that you think is highly effective (or one that is highly ineffective) at driving alignment between its operating and business models

  1. Did you choose the company as an example of effectiveness or ineffectiveness? Why?
  2. Describe the company’s business and operating models. What is interesting about them?
  3. Do the models align and support each other?  How?  What specific features of the operating model are designed to create and sustain competitive advantage?  What features of the business model leverage unique capabilities of its operating model?  What are the implications for performance?

Submitted (929)

Dangote Cement: an African Manufacturing Success Story
Mepossi
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 10:22 pm
How Dangote Cement got rid of cement imports into Africa.
Combatant Gentleman: Dress Smarter
SteveHill
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 5:23 pm
Combatant Gentleman is helping today's young professions get a leg up in the office.
Continental Building Products: How low (cost) can you go?
Arthur Moreno (Cathcart)
Last modified on December 5, 2015 at 7:17 pm
Continental Building Products is a leading producer of wallboard in the United States. Through its unique operating model, CBP has been able to achieve industry leading operating margins and grow its market share, despite sub-scale operations relative to its peers.
Winner: Trader Joe’s – Providing Low Cost High Quality Products
HGallin
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 9:42 pm
How a low cost grocer with eclectic products gained a cult following.
Gavi: The Inverted Pyramid of the Vaccine Alliance
TOMChallenge
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 5:12 pm
Adaptive and innovative work increasing access to immunization across the world, from the safety of DC and Geneva
From Back to Front: How JetBlue Airways has maintained its low price leader position through optimizing its operations
acfulton
Last modified on December 3, 2015 at 4:34 pm
From Back to Front: How JetBlue Airways has maintained its low price leader position through optimizing its operations
Advance Auto Parts: A Golden Opportunity Tarnished by Operational Missteps
Pandamonium Lyness
Last modified on December 6, 2015 at 10:39 pm
Advance Auto Parts' strength in lean and efficient operations proves to be its undoing amidst a large-scale acquisition.
Amtrak: What Do You Want Me to Be?
Citizen Kane
Last modified on December 8, 2015 at 12:22 am
“It’s not about the profit for these long-distance national network trains,” Mr. Boardman said in an interview. “It’s about connecting our country together and taking care of the people’s needs in those areas that are being flown over.”
Wayfair – Growing with little inventory
JRW
Last modified on December 8, 2015 at 3:31 pm
How Wayfair quietly became a $1 billion plus online retailer
Wesco Aircraft: Providing Superior Supply Chain Management for Aerospace
G Liebs
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 7:53 pm
Wesco Aircraft is a highly efficient and cost-effective distributor of C-Class aerospace parts and chemicals due to superb supply chain management and inventory control.
DaVita Healthcare Partners, Inc.
Jay Kumar
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:00 pm
By organizing their operating model to drive success of their business model, DaVita Healthcare Partners, Inc. has found a winning strategy for dialysis care.   Business Model DaVita provides dialysis services to patients with kidney failure. In the US, Davita [...]
The Reese Group: Regional Appeal on a National Scale
dreese
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 2:40 am
Independent, regional broker competing with national brands through innovative solutions, technology investments, and extensive market knowledge.
Tinder: Business vs. Operating Model – is it a match?
HA
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 7:12 pm
The popular hookup app is looking for the most attractive operating model and is constantly changing to promote romantic connectivity online.
Accretive Health: Revolutionizing the Revenue Cycle
Andrew Walker
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:24 pm
Accretive Health provided the first end-to-end revenue cycle management solution while locking in clients into a 5 year renewal contract with revenue sharing. By doing and so executing at a high level, they reached a $2.6B market cap within only [...]
AquaChile: Creating our first sustainable fish source.
Manny Soto
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Our demand for fish is far outstripping what our oceans can supply. AquaChile is a leader in developing sustainable and environmentally friendly ways to breed and grow fish.
Made Eyewear- Innovating convenience, quality, and personalization in affordable products
Gheedmak
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 7:44 pm
Background Made Eyewear is an online store for customizable eyewear. The website provides a customer-friendly platform that allows users to select the design and customize their glasses, insert their prescription details, send finalized samples to their address to try at home, [...]
Netflix: Harnessing Human Capital to Evolve
ss246
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Netflix creates value for its 57 million “official” subscribers[1] (and several more) by providing “all-you-can-eat” content. Netflix members “can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen….all without commercials or commitments.”[2] Netflix captures value by [...]
Soulcycle: Intense Brand Loyalty
MR
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 4:14 pm
The fitness studio that created a community.
U.S. News & World Report: Driving Value to a Multisided Market
Student_1
Last modified on December 2, 2015 at 9:39 pm
Once just an editorial company, U.S. News & World Report has transformed itself into a multi-platform publisher of rankings and datasets that occupies the heart of a vibrant ecosystem.
BirchBox: A BEAUTY-FULL monthly gift
MBA
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 11:04 pm
BirchBox provides a smart, fast and fun way to shop for beauty products through its innovative subscription payment and delivery model and supporting online offerings.
Tesla Motors – Revolutionizing the Auto Industry
Dylan Jackson
Last modified on December 5, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Transforming the century old automobile industry by the way of technology and vertical integration
Heady Topper: The journey from a small brew pub to the most elusive beer in the U.S.
QF
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:15 pm
How a small brewery in Waterbury, VT was able to become world-renowned by emphasizing quality, freshness and community in every aspect of their business.
Yesterday’s News: Can Jeff Bezos Save The Washington Post?
Rachel Overboe
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 7:39 pm
“If somebody said to me there’s a way out for newspapers, but you’re going to have to lose $100 million a year to get there four to five years from now, I would sign up for it in a minute.” [...]
Solar Mosaic: The Kickstarter of community solar
LiDe
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 11:19 pm
Solar Mosaic enables crowdfunded loans for residential solar projects. It is an innovative platform that connects borrowers who want to install photovoltaic panels on their roof with investors who are willing to provide capital as lenders.
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