Where are we now? (Laura Ashley)

Running head : Laura Ashley : A strategic analysis

Laura Ashley : A strategic analysis

[Writer 's Name]

[Institution 's Name]

Introduction

Laura Ashley Plc . is a small family company with very specialised products spread in the Europe , UK and US . Started by the Ashleys in 1953 the company kept on embracing new products and companies and integrated vertically . The key for the significance and the competitive edge of the company was the design philosophy of Laura Ashley . Although the company faced a shock after the death of Laura Ashley but the company

followed the line of Laura 's designs . By 1985 the company established its own supply chain and kept on supplying the products at shops . The Company also implemented the Information system for effective communication with in the company Sales practice

The Company established the shops with the same design and undertaken research and development activities in to analyze the consumer preferences regarding the brand . As a result of the surveys conducted the company found the brand name as the major asset of the company which could prove to be the main source of competitive advantage of the company

Internal factor Evaluation (IFE ) of Laura Ashley Company

A summary step in conducting an internal strategic- management audit is to construct an internal factor Evaluation (IFE ) Matrix . This strategy formulation tool summarises and evaluates the major strengths and weaknesses in the functional areas of a business , and it also provide a basis for identifying and evaluating relationships among those areas . Intuitive judgements are required in developing and IFE Matrix so the appearance of a scientific approach should not be interpreted to mean this is an all-powerful technique . A thorough understanding of the factors included is more important than the actual numbers (David 161-162

Internal Audit

In to effectively compete in the industry it is important for the company to analyse the its internal strengths and weaknesses . So that strengths should be used to take advantage of the opportunities for the company in the market and the weaknesses should be removed in to make the strategy of the company flawless . Following are the major departments , which should be addressed in to undertake an internal audit of a company

Major departments of Laura Ashley (Strengths and Weaknesses

In to identify Laura Ashley 's internal strengths and weaknesses the following key internal functional areas will have to be analysed : 1 Management 2 ) Marketing 3 ) Finance /Accounting 4 ) Operations R /D and 5 ) Computer Information System and Technology

PEST ANALYSIS [A] Political Economic Social Technical Stability of Internal External political environment Change in the outsourcing trends Economic environment (Job market / UK 's market economic stability affecting the business performance / future Allocation of Monitoring system budget Interest / Inflation rates fluctuation affecting the profit margins Long term future of the business in its present state (referencing economic changes Opposition by the people in case of increasing burden in shape of increased prices Feedback information of the company 's performance from the customer 's...