External Factor Analysis Summary Table For Digiphone 7 Examp
External Factor Analysis Summary Table For Digiphone 7 Exampleextern
External Factor Analysis Summary Table for DigiPhone 7 (Example) External Factors Weight Rating Weighted Score Comments Opportunities Expand optional video .1 3.5 .35 Many reviews mention the video quality has been improved over the previous model, but is still not the same quality compared to other phones in this price point (Amazer, 2015). Expand markets outside Asia .15 4 .6 The phones manufactured in China have a good foothold there, but are only available outside Asia through online retailers (Amazer, 2015). Include Bluetooth functionality .05 1 .05 The phone currently lacks Bluetooth functionality, which has become a standard feature of phones in this class. Integrate front facing camera .05 1.50 .075 This was a requested feature for the older versions, and it finally made it to the DigiPhone 7. Parental Controls .05 1 .05 Not much is mentioned about built-in parental controls for phones, but the options are starting to emerge for parents to have direct control over talk time, texting, and other aspects of the phone (Minor, 2016). Use Wi-Fi 802.11ac .1 2 .2 Wifi N is quickly being replaced by Wifi 802-11ac, which is up to 12x faster (Lendino, 2015).
Threats Recognizable design .05 1.0 .05 Most complaints were about their color selection. Only black or gray are available, and many other manufactures are coming out with other color options (Amazer, 2015). Cost of DigiPhone .1 3 .3 The DigiPhone is marketed at the mid- level phone section, but is missing some key technologies that keep it from competing with those phones. It is competitively priced within this section. Growth of competition .2 5 1 Other companies are innovating; that will set them apart from the competition (Crago, 2008). Unknown company .05 2 .1 DigiPhone is not a household name, and outside of smart phone enthusiasts they are relatively unknown. They need to increase brand awareness. Corporate espionage .05 3.5 .175 All emerging technology companies face this threat and it costs companies hundreds of billions of dollars annually (Federal Bureau of Investigation, n.d.). Negative reviews .05 3 .15 DigiPhone has been slow to respond to consumer desires, but every version has shown progress. 1.00 3.1 Overall, Digiphone is doing better than other phones in the same market share. Their annual stockholder report has shown shares increasing in value in the last quarter (Digiphone, 2016). The version 7 of their phone is priced aggressively within this market segment, but is also missing some key technologies that would make it more comparable to other phones at the same price. The company doesn't seem to be aggressively trying to expand outside of its Asian market, and this could translate into lost opportunities to increase revenue in a new market. They have been available from online retailers, and the data supports the trend that Americans are shopping online more than in stores (Greenberg, 2015). As long as they maintain their costs and online presence, and they meet customer expectations for features and design, the company will continue to be a market leader.
Paper For Above instruction
The external environment significantly influences the strategic positioning and operational decisions of firms in the competitive smartphone market. For DigiPhone, understanding the external factors — both opportunities and threats — is vital for crafting strategies that leverage strengths and mitigate weaknesses. This analysis employs an External Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS) table to identify key external elements affecting DigiPhone’s market performance and competitive standing.
Opportunities confronting DigiPhone primarily revolve around technological enhancements and market expansion. The enhancement of video quality, although appreciated, remains a concern as many reviews indicate it still lags behind competitors at the same price point (Amazer, 2015). Upgrading multimedia capabilities could serve as a significant differentiator in a crowded marketplace. Additionally, expanding into markets outside Asia represents a strategic growth opportunity. Although DigiPhone has established a strong foothold in China, its presence is primarily through online retailers outside Asia, especially in the U.S., where consumers increasingly prefer online shopping (Greenberg, 2015). Capitalizing on this trend by expanding physical and online retail channels could facilitate market penetration and revenue growth.
Further opportunities include integrating standard features such as Bluetooth, front-facing cameras, parental controls, and faster Wi-Fi technology (Lendino, 2015; Minor, 2016). Including Bluetooth functionality is now considered a baseline feature, and its absence might hinder consumer adoption. The integration of a front-facing camera aligns with current consumer expectations for selfies and video calls. Parental controls appeal to a broader demographic, including families, and could further differentiate DigiPhone from competitors.
On the threats side, design limitations and brand recognition stand out. Limited color options—mainly black and gray—may deter potential buyers seeking variety, especially as competitors expand their aesthetic offerings (Amazer, 2015). The cost of DigiPhone, positioned in the mid-tier market, is competitive, but missing key technological features prevents it from competing with higher-end phones, which could threaten its market share as consumers become more tech-savvy (Crago, 2008). Intense competition in the smartphone industry necessitates continuous innovation to maintain market relevance.
The company’s relatively low brand recognition outside Asia and among general consumers represents a significant threat. Increasing brand awareness through marketing and strategic collaborations can help DigiPhone establish a stronger global presence. Moreover, corporate espionage, a common threat in the high-tech industry, poses risks to intellectual property, which could undermine competitive advantage and innovation (Federal Bureau of Investigation, n.d.).
Negative reviews, often related to the product’s features or design choices, also pose challenges. Although DigiPhone has shown progress in responding to consumer feedback, slow adaptation could result in losing market confidence or being overtaken by more agile competitors.
In conclusion, DigiPhone operates in a dynamic environment characterized by technological opportunities and competitive threats. To sustain its growth trajectory, definitely in the expanding U.S. market, DigiPhone must innovate technologically, enhance branding efforts, and widen its distribution channels. Embracing emerging technologies, such as faster Wi-Fi standards and improved multimedia features, can help solidify its position. Simultaneously, addressing design limitations and strategic branding will be crucial for competitive differentiation and long-term success in the global smartphone industry.
References
- Amazer. (2015). Reviews of DigiPhone 7. Retrieved from https://www.amazer.com/reviews/digiphone7
- Crago, A. (2015, February 14). Top 5 emerging phone technologies. Retrieved from https://techcrago.com/emerging-phone-tech
- Digiphone. (2016). 2015 annual stockholder report. Retrieved from https://investors.digiphone.com/annual-reports/2015
- Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Counterintelligence: Economic espionage. https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence
- Greenberg, J. (2015, November 30). More Americans shopped online than in stores this weekend. Wired Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/2015/11/online-shopping-trends/
- Lendino, J. (2015, April 20). What is 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and how much faster than 802.11n is it? Extreme Tech. Retrieved from https://www.extremetech.com/computing/208031-what-is-802-11ac-and-how-much-faster-is-it
- Minor, J. (2016, March 10). The best parental control apps for your phone. PC Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-parental-control-apps
- Crago, A. (2015, February 14). Top 5 emerging phone technologies. Retrieved from https://techcrago.com/emerging-phone-tech