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)

How does Amazon deliver the best customer experiences?
Anh Le
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 11:22 pm
Wide selection, low price, and convenience make Amazon the default online shop for most people. The high volume order makes it easier for Amazon to centralize its fulfillment management and automating its processes to reduce cost and serve its customers [...]
M-Pesa: a Mobile Money success story from Kenya
ab
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 11:29 pm
M-Pesa is a phone-based peer to peer money transfer service launched by Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecom provider, in 2007. According to a Kenyan government report published from 2012, just five years after launch, there were 19.5 million mobile money users [...]
3G Capital’s playbook for success
Student
Last modified on December 3, 2015 at 1:50 pm
3G Capital is a clear winner in aligning business model and operating model. Over the past years, 3G Capital has successfully invested in and grown renowned companies, creating value and giving shareholders significant returns on investment.
NBC Bearings: Winning the most coveted quality prize in the world!
Avani Birla
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 12:48 pm
NBC Bearings is redefining what quality means with improved processes and systems that help it attract high end international consumers
Brazilian Feedlots: More Beef with Less Resources
Win Bennett
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 10:02 pm
Click through the link to access full report pdf.
UP Education Network – dramatic results through people and process
K.R.M.
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 4:54 pm
School by school, UP Education Network is proving that school turnaround is possible through its thoughtful investments in human capital and data management.
Rightmove – Creating value for property buyers, sellers and agents
UB
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 9:01 pm
Network effects and a sound operating model combine to create a clear market leader.
ARTSY: Finding Art at the Intersection of Science and Technology
mj
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 11:27 pm
A look at how one company is mapping out a digital taxonomy of all the world’s art  
The Tangiers Casino–A Sure Bet
Austin
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 5:48 pm
The true story of success behind the largest skimming operation in Las Vegas history.
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
FedEx: The world’s largest continuous flow process
John Paul Andree
Last modified on December 3, 2015 at 6:55 pm
From package pickup to final delivery, FedEx's air freight network is the world's largest continuous flow process, allowing it to deliver on its customer promise of fast, overnight, and reliable delivery.
Stitch Fix: Decoding fashion through analytic
SK
Posted on December 6, 2015 at 10:06 pm
How much easier would shopping be if a stylist mailed you five pieces of clothing that she tailored just for you, and you had the choice to buy what you like and mail the rest back for free?
Jet.com – What is the price of disruption?
Anna
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 5:56 pm
With the elimination of its membership fee, Jet.com sacrificed its major source of profits in exchange for gaining scale. But is this enough to achieve scale?
Tabasco: The Original Hot Sauce
Lauren
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 10:13 pm
Effectively aligning business and operating models: the catalyst for creating and maintaining the Tabasco product and brand.
TCS BANK: Innovating in Russia
Teti
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 6:25 pm
A story of a great Russian bank that is struggling with country risks
Aldi’s Crusade Against Costs
Andrew Yoo
Last modified on December 7, 2015 at 1:26 pm
The success of Aldi’s operating and business models is causing a stir in grocery store markets around the world.
Quest Diagnostics: From factory for testing to big data company
Marie
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:27 pm
When a health care company resembles much more a factory or a big data firm
FIFA – Glorifying the Game or Rotting the World’s Biggest Sport?
GilG
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 10:21 pm
Is FIFA, the governing organization for the world of Football (real Football, that is), true to its mission? A look into the works of a non-profit.
Stitch Fix: Personalized Retail at Scale
Ravneet Uberoi
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 10:03 pm
“Stitch Fix is squarely at the intersection of both online and offline (so hot right now) and human and algorithm (even hotter)” - WSJ
To Infinity and Beyond: Disney’s Alignment with Magic
Ching-Ching
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 3:45 pm
No other corporation in America has more effectively monetized the key thing we all hold dearest to our hearts, MAGIC. To adults and adolescents alike, Disney caters to the inner child in all of us. Making us feel that much [...]
Tencent: Growth of a “King Penguin”
Henry Hou
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 7:52 pm
From ICQ to MSN messenger, IM giants had come and gone, even more been forgotten. Why did Tencent survived? And more importantly, why did it prospered?
William Morris Endeavor (WME) and Proprietary Technology for Agents
Caroline Brody
Last modified on December 14, 2015 at 3:20 pm
How William Morris Endeavor (WME), one of the leading talent & literary agencies, uses technology to allow its agents work smarter, better, faster, stronger.
Osprey Drives Alignment Through Strong Core Values
Sam Y
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Osprey Packs, Inc. is highly effective at driving alignment between its operating and business models. The company designs and produces packs for the outdoors. The company is known for its innovative design; high-quality, custom-fit products; and love for adventure. It [...]
ClassPass: Shaking up the traditional workout regimen
Laura
Last modified on December 5, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Creating optionality and excitement in the sometimes staid exercise space, ClassPass fitness memberships have driven rapid growth and challenged the traditional gym model, yet sustainability questions linger.
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