In Bookstores now, Dr. Fisher's new book:

Winning the Hardware-Software Game

Using Game Theory to Optimize the Pace of New Technology Adoption

Innovators of new technology systems requiring users to combine both hardware and software components often face delays in adoption of their new systems.  Users will not buy the hardware until enough software or content is available, while at the same time software providers will not provide content until enough users have adopted the new system.  This book examines the dynamics of this adoption process and provides methods for optimizing the pace of adoption of new technology systems.     Read more...

Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

-- Confucius

Strategy Analyses
Efficiency/Productivity/Profitability Analyses PDF Print E-mail

QuantAA analyses provide companies with specific quantitative information regarding their business operations. This information will help companies increase profits by enabling them to:

Identify Inefficiencies in the System

Maximize Efficiency: To use the minimal amount of inputs required to achieve the desired results. If your company is spending more time, money, materials, etc. than necessary to produce your products or services, then you are being wasteful (i.e., inefficient). By identifying and eliminating the unnecessary expenditures your company will increase efficiency, and with it, profits.

Optimize Resource Allocation

Optimize Resource Allocation: To distribute monetary and non-monetary assets (e.g., cash, labor, equipment, materials, etc.) across various activities in such a way that you maximize total company output.

Since resources are costly, your company only has so much to distribute across the various components of its operations. If your company is expending too many resources on unproductive areas, then that leaves too few resources to be used on more productive activities. By identifying your company's more profitable activities, you can redirect resources toward those areas. In so doing, you will optimize the allocation of resources within your company and increase profits.

Optimize Strategic Decisions

Strategic Decision: The determination of a plan, method, or series of actions designed to achieve a specific goal or effect.

Your business is a dynamic, ever-evolving entity. You continually face decisions regarding how to adapt your product or service offerings to meet the evolving needs of your customers. Only by having the requisite information (i.e., costs and benefits of the various alternatives) will you be able to make the decisions that best position your company to meet the developing needs of your customers. In this way, you will maximize your company's long run profits.

Increase Leverage in Negotiations

Increase Negotiating Leverage: To increase one's ability to exert influence and obtain favorable terms of purchase or sale with suppliers or customers.

Most businesses regularly negotiate with suppliers and customers. Information relevant to negotiations include the costs and benefits not only of the transaction at hand, but of its alternatives as well. Such information enables you greater flexibility in granting or demanding concessions, which you wouldn't otherwise be prepared to make, so as to increase the probability of closing the deal. Having the requisite information thus provides you with greater leverage in negotiations.