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)

Regina Miracle – Victoria’s “Secret”
Cathy
Last modified on December 10, 2015 at 12:59 am
As the apparel brands/retailers are gravitating towards fewer suppliers, Regina Miracle is well equipped – with its advanced IT platforms, a lean manufacturing system, quality management processes, and strong partnerships with suppliers – to benefit from this trend
Stitch Fix – Driving Retail Profits with Data Analytics and Mass Customization
Rachel
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Stitch Fix has innovated upon the retail business and is attempting to escape from fast fashion operating problems by using data analytics to offer personal service to customers and real-time feedback to designers.
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
Shimano – Dominating the bicycle components market
Ko Miyoshi
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 7:21 pm
With its innovative R&D and operating model, Shimano dominates the global market share in bicycle components.
Kinder Morgan – The Mighty Middleman in Flux?
Art Pithayachariyakul
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 10:38 pm
Kinder Morgan has long dominated the midstream business of transporting oil and gas products. The toll-road business model and command of a vast network of energy infrastructure combine to create a stable, highly effective midstream operator.
The cost of an education is now less than your daily coffee fix … Surely it can’t be true?
RC Tomster
Last modified on December 10, 2015 at 1:02 am
- "The Most Crucial Scaling Skill? Linking Short-Term Realities to Long-Term Dreams" - "What happens when philanthropy meets profit?"
Let’s Get It On(line): Tawkify Dating Concierge
H
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 9:13 pm
“Maybe the best date I’ve had in a few years. No joke. I really appreciate the work and care Kate put in for this match.” –Tawkify customer * Online dating today often happens one of three unpleasant ways. 1) Endless [...]
The Ritz-Carlton: Ladies and Gentlemen Serving Ladies and Gentlemen
Anna Wan
Last modified on December 8, 2015 at 4:44 pm
The Ritz-Carlton has, since its founding in 1983, been synonymous with luxury and true hospitality. As the company declares on its own website, it is a ‘place where the genuine care and comfort of our guests is our highest mission’. [...]
Like to Know It: Monetizing personal shopping on Instagram
Ashley
Last modified on December 6, 2015 at 9:59 pm
By leveraging existing talent and content, Like to Know It has generated millions of dollars in sales for themselves, bloggers, and retailers.
Brooks: A Laser Focus on Running
Ryan
Last modified on December 5, 2015 at 8:59 pm
Brooks On the verge of bankruptcy in 2001 (and $65 million of annual revenue in 2000), Brooks grew at 18% compounded annual growth through 2014, largely due to reinventing its business and operating models. Business Model Rather than compete head [...]
The Lean, Mean, Amazon Machine
devon_stewart
Last modified on December 7, 2015 at 10:58 pm
How Amazon.com has leveraged Toyota, robots, data and much more to consistently deliver the best online shopping experience for its consumers.
Chipotle Mexican Grill: Food with Integrity
Abe Froman
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Chipotle is so much more than a burrito bowl with a side of chips. Their thoughtful and calculated approach towards expansion will drive the brand well beyond a fast-casual Mexican concept.
Yume Wo Katare: express your dreams
Phillip Han
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 10:34 pm
Yume Wo Katare is a Japanese ramen shop selling authentic hand made Jiro style ramen. From outside, it seems like a regular ramen shop, but there are very unique features about Yume Wo Katare and it operates very efficiently and [...]
M.O.M – A Star in Retail
Sabrina Yessayan
Last modified on December 7, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Macys is a leader in retail through its strategies of localization, omnichannel, and magic selling
MiniLuxe – “Starbucking” the nail salon
Andrew Fu
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 11:20 pm
MiniLuxe - a Boston-based company aiming to "Starbuck" the $9 billion dollar nail salon industry by providing self-care services with great quality and consistency.
Fighting For Every Dollar: UFC Uncaged
Benny Cole
Last modified on December 7, 2015 at 3:35 pm
This post explores the UFC's approach to generating revenue, borrowing from old experiences of Boxing and WWE.
Deliveroo: Michelin-starred dining at home
Yasmin Razavi
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 9:46 pm
Netflix and chills just got better with Deliveroo; bringing food that you love to your door
Hello Alfred: Your new best friend when life is a clutter
Batman
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 9:59 pm
Presenting an e-platform of dedicated butlers to take care of your chores. But how scalable is this operating model?
Building an Innovation Engine in Healthcare: Hospital for Special Surgery
Oyku
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:27 pm
How a hospital is distinguishing itself by launching an innovation center and employing design thinking approach
Skydrop—the “Uber” of instant deliveries in LatAm
Bernardo
Last modified on December 14, 2015 at 7:08 pm
A marketplace that connects local, independent delivery agents with small businesses that need pickup or delivery services.
What’s on the menu at Mitsui today?
Megan Wu
Last modified on December 5, 2015 at 11:03 pm
In the middle of Taipei city sits a 2000 sq ft modernized outdoor fish market with clean space, warm lighting, and the freshest seasonal seafood that you can get. Mitsui is a Japanese-style high end restaurant chain that only operates [...]
Roku – Remonetizing your TV screen
YuvalG
Last modified on December 4, 2015 at 4:59 pm
How can one private company compete over market share against Google, Amazon and Apple, and win?
Open Blue and the Innovation of Open-Ocean Fish Farming
BBurke
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 5:12 pm
Creating a sustainable, environmentally neutral food source in the deep seas of Panama.
Evyap – Reaching operational excellence to become a truly international player
Yonca
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 6:36 pm
How a local FMCG player with regional footprint managed to become an international company
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