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)

Soylent – Winning your heart with your stomach
Ben W
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:22 pm
Soylent has successfully created the anti-consumer packaged food, sacrificing taste for function and looks for efficiency. At the same time, much of the value it creates for users is emotional--linked to values and identity over nutrition.
Dunkin’ Brands: A Cup of Coffee is a Cup of Coffee
A.J.
Posted on December 7, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Despite great efforts to increase relationships and product offerings, all customers want at Dunkin' Donuts is a quick and cheap cup of coffee.
AMTRAK- When Political Absurdity Meets Government Inefficiency
Jack K
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Amtrak is the government subsidized and sole National Passenger Railroad Operator in the United States.  Through outdated requirements and the inability to secure funding for long term investments, Amtrak has accumulated annual losses of greater than $1 Billion every year [...]
Dangote Cement: A Story of Market Dominance
Prime
Last modified on December 10, 2015 at 6:58 am
How did Dangote Cement, in just over a decade, cement its position as the dominant player on the Nigeria and the Continent?
Tesla Motors: Luxuriously Green
Tsion
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 4:18 pm
Tesla redefined innovation in the slow moving automotive industry with its luxury electric cars and unique operational model.
ASOS: Leveraging Network Effects in High Street Fashion
elleenem
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:29 pm
ASOS closely follows pop culture through social media and is obsessed with understanding their customers’ hobbies, Facebook “likes,” and daydreams. By tapping into their consumers’ digital world, they create value by quickly producing fashion that fits into both their everyday [...]
Allen Edmonds: An American Revolution
Bryce
Last modified on December 5, 2015 at 10:28 pm
SHOES
Casper: Going to the Mattresses
Steve Cook
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Casper cuts through the confusion and hassle of the traditional mattress buying process with a high-quality product, hassle-free online purchasing and an appealing brand (as exhibited by its luxurious showroom experience)
Costco Wholesale
downeaster
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 8:43 pm
The most fun you've ever had shopping in a warehouse.
Basecamp – Finding Signal in the Noise
S. Duncan
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 9:00 pm
"We believe software is too complex. Too many features, too many buttons, too much to learn. Our products do less than the competition — intentionally. We build products that work smarter, feel better, allow you to do things your way, [...]
RPX Corporation: First Defense Against Patent Trolls
lyang
Last modified on December 7, 2015 at 3:41 pm
This is an example of an effective company because RPX not only identified a strong customer need but also devised a novel approach to addressing that need and then capturing some that value for itself. Background Since the late ’90s, [...]
Coalfire Systems
Andrew
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 5:22 pm
Coalfire is a leading and differentiated tech-enabled services provider to the rapidly growing cybersecurity industry.
DocuSign: Maximizing Growth Through Human Capital
Ezra Josephson
Posted on December 7, 2015 at 6:46 pm
“Back-office employees become cross-functional, lead small business units…”
Airbnb and The Sharing Economy: Creating Value for Everyone
Michael
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 10:46 pm
In just seven years, Airbnb has disrupted the 1300-year-old hotel industry by creating a “collaborative travel revolution” where everyone finds great value.
Rocket Internet – Sprawling digital business empire
Katarina
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 11:08 pm
Start-up factory that turned the process of identifying, rolling out and scaling new businesses into an assembly line.
Facebook is Not Google…and it should not try to be
Bansi
Posted on December 8, 2015 at 7:38 pm
Facebook has a great operating model. But instead of mimicking the business models of their competitors and comparable companies, they should try to monetize in a way more aligned with their greatest asset: highly engaged users.
Copa Airlines: high-yield / low-cost airlines do exist.
AnnaA
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 6:53 pm
Saying "no" 80% of the time. Or, an airline's guide to weathering regional economic challenges through a strict alignment of strategy and execution.
Hello Alfred: Giving you the luxury of time
JW
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 10:12 pm
Imagine a world where you never have to do your chores again…that’s the world that Hello Alfred is hoping to create.
Speedo: Inspiring Everyone to Dive In
Jessica Yuan
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 11:28 pm
Innovation and Community Swimming for All
Roshan Telecommunications (Afghanistan) – Private Enterprise Winning where Developmental Aid has Failed
Trevor
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:27 pm
Within the massive numbers of development project failures in Afghanistan since 2001 Roshan Communications stands out as one of the only success stories. It is even more impressive since it has made a profit since its sixth month in operation. [...]
Oscar: consumer-centric health insurance
JCSS
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 7:21 am
Oscar has set out to revolutionize the cost and convenience of U.S. health care by targeting one of its most overlooked elements, the payer-patient relationship
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet: Good Stuff Cheap!
YG
Posted on December 9, 2015 at 11:29 pm
Company Overview: Ollie’s Bargain Outlet (“Ollie’s”) is a discount retailer offering brand name closeout merchandise through 202 stores across 17 states. The compelling value proposition Ollie’s offers consumers of “Good Stuff Cheap®” is directly a function of their ability to [...]
Redefining how WeWork
André Rocha
Posted on December 6, 2015 at 7:47 pm
How WeWork is creating the office space of the 21st century by leveraging design, community and technology to deliver superior value to startups.
Chipotle: How non-real Mexican food became so successful
Rafael Rivera
Last modified on December 9, 2015 at 10:20 pm
How a Mexican restaurant that doesn't offer real Mexican food is leading the category of fast casual restaurants
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