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)

The Dana-Farber Successfully Sutures the Surgical Efficiency Gap
Tehsina
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 9:47 pm
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) has turned a newly developed sedation suite into value-enhancements for its patients.
Trader Joe’s: “great food + great prices = Value”
clavidas
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Trader Joe's is the perfect example of how a company with a simple business model leveraging on an aligned and well-executed operating model can win big, even in an otherwise troubled industry
Tuft & Needle: Sleep in Heavenly Peace
sleepy
Last modified on December 12, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Mattresses that are simple, affordable, and convenient -- table stakes. What else?
Haidilao Hot Pot’s Success
Yao
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 5:59 pm
It is not usual to relate a fancy word such as 'unstoppable' with a restaurant chain, this traditional business model just does not sound sexy any more nowadays. However, the success of Haidilao Hot Pot, a chain of hot pot [...]
To Infinity and Beyond: Pixar’s Movie Making Success
James Baird
Last modified on December 6, 2015 at 8:57 pm
In 1995, a heretofore unknown film studio named Pixar released Toy Story, the first-ever feature length computer-animated film. Since then, Pixar has produced 15 blockbusters which have grossed more than $9.5 billion worldwide.
Tata Global Beverages: Chai and more!
Ameya Bhangle
Last modified on December 1, 2015 at 2:35 pm
Transforming a vertically integrated India-focused tea business into a leading global horizontal player, upholding the legacy of a 147 year-old business empire
MinuteClinic – Aligning towards convenience
Lisa
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 6:34 pm
CVS MinuteClinics are walk-in clinics that provide basic medical services on a single-visit basis. The business model of CVS MinuteClinics is predicated on delivery of 1) convenient, 2) high quality, and 3) cost-effective[i] healthcare services outside of the traditional healthcare [...]
Save the Children: can NGOs operate efficiently at a global scale?
Ivan Ribeiro
Last modified on December 6, 2015 at 11:55 pm
What are some of the challenges faced by a leading global NGO to further its impact on 50+ million children across the globe?
Vipshop: Bringing discounted retail e-commerce to China
Kbouks
Last modified on December 8, 2015 at 8:47 pm
Vipshop brings the discount retail model to china through an e-commerce platform.
Aldi: no frills grocery shopping
OC
Posted on December 6, 2015 at 4:10 pm
Driving down costs to lower the price of your weekly shop
HBS – A Business Model Perspective
Aner
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 10:01 pm
A simple thought process on HBS as a business model! Some food for thought...
#TIDALforALL or #tidalfornone?
KA
Last modified on December 14, 2015 at 5:10 pm
In spite of its admirable business model, TIDAL struggles to differentiate in the right ways to deliver value to artists and fans.
Qali Warma [kal-e war-muh]
Asmv
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 1:07 am
Improving nutrition and education of Peruvian children.
Munchery – Delicious, delivered
KathyChoi
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Munchery - Bringing fresh, chef-prepared meals to your door on demand.
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.” [...]
REVOLVE: Mass Market Need Not Apply
Pandalisa
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 6:52 pm
Revolve has become the trendiest and most profitable e-commerce startup in the recent past - all by excluding the majority of the market and keeping laser focused on solving for early fashion adopters
Sephora: Behind the Scenes of the Beauty Behemoth
Baker's Dozen
Posted on December 2, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Sephora's competitive advantage in the prestige beauty space stems from integrated business and operating models that support the company's broader objective to enhance the customer experience at every touchpoint.
Wikipedia: Here for now
Natalie H.
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 10:30 pm
Wikipedia is operated by the Wikimedia Foundation, a 501c-3 (non-profit) and is aimed at providing free, objective educational content to the public.
Chick-Fil-A: A model that has us all EATING MOR CHIKIN!
changeme_27
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 7:28 pm
Since its founding in 1946, Chick-Fil-A (or “the Company”) has been serving up America’s favorite fried chicken sandwich for nearly seventy years. With over 1,900 locations and $6 billion in annual sales, the Company has grown to become the largest [...]
Warby Parker: Disruption on the back of a revolutionary vision, mission and culture
Madan Somasundaram
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 7:24 pm
Prior to 2010, a basic designer pair of eyeglasses probably set you back at least $200-$300. The optical industry was dominated by Luxottica, which enjoyed near monopoly status in the market with over 80% market share and was able to [...]
Zara: Upscale, on-demand fashion
nj
Last modified on November 27, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Zara is one of the world's most successful fast-fashion retailers. What sets it apart?
Whole Foods or Whole Check?
Janiki
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 7:24 pm
Whole Foods offers natural, organic products and a fun customer experience but with high prices and new competition, is it sustainable?
Reality TV to Ghalichi Glam – Lilly Ghalichi’s lifestyle conglomerate
Ilene R
Last modified on March 3, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Read on to discover how tight integration between social media and advertising helps Ghalichi Glam grow its lifestyle and fast-fashion businesses.
ASOS – Effectively Delivering Style, Affordability and Accessibility
Amber James
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 8:02 pm
ASOS.com, a TOM Winner, through the eyes of a loyal customer
1 … 13 14 15 16 17 … 39