Complete Guide To CPM Matrix

The Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM) is a tool that compares the firm and its rivals and reveals their relative strengths and weaknesses. In order to better understand the external environment and the competition in a particular industry, firms often use CPM.

What is the CPM Matrix?

The CPM matrix is a grid that matches each competitor with the primary business strength, or competitive profile, which each competitor brings to the industry. When the products and strengths are matched into a two-by-two matrix, they reveal the industry structure.

The CPM matrix emphasizes that the size of a firm and its competitors determines their product market strategies and their relative strengths in the market. Market power is determined by a combination of relevant resources, access to distribution channels, and the availability of substitutes.

The term CPM refers to the fact that the strength of a firm corresponds to its position in the matrix. The more the strengths are (C)ompetitive (P)rofiles (M)atched to the environment, the more powerful a firm is. The more a firm is appropriately matched to its environment, the better its ability is to compete effectively.

Why the CPM Matrix is Used

The CPM is used in order to analyze competition. This analysis emphasizes a firm’s relative strengths based on the size of the firm and its two biggest competitors. This specific information is used to develop a strategy for accomplishing organization objectives.

Four steps are involved in the development of a CPM matrix:

1. Evenly align the competitors on the horizontal axis
2. Rank each competitor along the horizontal axis by the relevant strengths
3. Match the competitors’ strengths to the vertical axis
4. Rank the matrix competitors by their position in the matrix

When identifying strengths, company executives may consider operational strengths, financial strengths, or organizational strengths. Operational strengths are those strengths that can be assigned a meaningful numerical value. Financial strengths are reflected in the ability to raise capital, a firm’s profitability, equity values, or amount of debt. Organizational strengths refer to the ability to coordinate activities through communication, job specialization, or the use of formal authority.

Four Types of Competitiveness

The CPM gives way to four distinct types of competitiveness:

1. Balanced Strengths: A “balanced” firm is one that is strong in all the above areas. This means that a balanced firm is well positioned in the industry where it competes, allowing it to face competition from any source. A balanced firm has a distinct advantage over its rivals in that it is likely to succeed through the ability to consistently coordinate all the factors that affect its competitiveness in the market.
2. Congruency: A congruent firm is one that is well positioned and has a relevant strength that matches the competitive environment. The congruent firm has a competitive advantage in that it can most successfully capture the market’s available share because it can go head-to-head with its peers. Congruence occurs when both the company and the competition are well positioned and similarly size and operated.
3. Dominant Strengths: A dominant firm is one that excels in one or two areas such as operational superiority or product innovation. A dominant firm has an advantage over its rivals because its particular strength matches the needs of its market niche. While the competition may be strong in one or two areas, the dominant firm’s stronghold in one market area is enough to severely weaken its competitors.
4. Weaknesses: The weakest firms have few or no leg to stand on when facing the competition. Weaknesses may stem from poor management, a poor location, weak finances, or a substitute product. Weaknesses provide an opportunity for rivals to neutralize the strengths of the weak firms.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The CPM matrix is very effective in isolation. The use of the matrix, however, should be appropriately matched to a firm’s business environment. This is possible if the CPM is used to assess a firm’s position in relation to the competitive strengths of its rivals on a relative scale.

The CPM has several advantages. First, it can generate alternative strategic positions through which the organization can compete. Second, it is beneficial because it creates a visual illustration of how the firm and its competitors can compete. Third, the CPM has a specific format that allows for a clear interpretation, easy assimilation, and understanding.

The CPM matrix also has a number of limitations. First, firms must be concerned about the validity of the information used to establish the CPM matrix. This information comes from surveyed analyses that might not be entirely accurate, and the matrix is highly dependent on the quality of the information used to place the firms in the matrix.

Second, the CPM is very vague about the degree of correlation between strategy and environment. This is an extremely important aspect of the growth of the organization. Third, the CPM describes the firm’s strategy but does not dictate its choice of strategy. Without an understanding of the relationship between strategy and competencies, the firm is at best left with a strategic tool that is generic in design. Finally, the CPM’s value can easily be undermined by the plethora of weak competitors that exist in the market.

The CPM of Dell Computers

Dell was created by Michael Dell to produce computers and sell them directly to the end-user. Michael Dell wanted to take advantage of the business model that IBM Corporation had used in successfully representing their products to the end-user. Larger computer companies were not interested in this kind of arrangement, so Michael Dell went ahead with it alone, with some partners.

The CPM used to determine the position of Dell in its industry will answer the questions of where Dell currently stands, what are Dell’s strengths and weaknesses? What are the competitors’ positions in relation to the CPM matrix, what are their strengths and weaknesses?

Dell is a member of the technological product industry. Its production and distribution are done through the Internet. Dell has had consistent growth since its inception in 1984. This is a result of its innovative strategy and lack of direct competition.

The CPM matrix can be used to determine Dell’s position in the industry. Each company involved in the technological product industry will be scored based on their strengths and weaknesses. Dell’s scores are:

• Size: +2
• Organization: +2
• Financial: +2
• Operational: +2
• Distribution: +1

Dell is a strong competitor in its industry. It is well positioned in the market because it has available, complimenting sources to help it stay competitive and succeed. Dell’s competitors include:

• Apple Computer Company
• Sony Corporation
• Hewlett Packard Company
• Microsoft Corporation
• Research in Motion

Distribution tasks are very useful in positioning the successful firms in the CPM matrix – particularly distribution tasks with the OEM ship. The OEM relationships give Dell access to well-established channels of distribution. This makes Dell more influential in the industry. Dell’s direct sales force is another distribution task that has contributed to its success. This way it has created a strong distribution base and has the ability to ship on demand which saves the customer time and money and makes Dell the efficient and safe choice.

Benefits to Dell’s customers include:

• Best quality products
• Better service
• Competitive prices
• Excellent delivery
• Over 400,000 product options
• Three-day door-to-door service
• Two-year warranty
• Environmentally conscious
• Free technical support

Dell’s advantages are:

• 100% U.S. based
• Close-up relationships with customers
• Competitive pricing (less than 30% of the cost of an IBM or HP machine)
• Negative availability (stock is never available when needed)
• No salesperson to investigate needs or test products

Many weaknesses in Dell’s processes and systems have been identified over the years. The biggest area of concern is their customer service. Customers are let down because Dell is consistently providing a less-than-satisfactory customer service experience. Dell has been late with orders, and provides intermittent communication with customers that is not necessarily to their liking. Most will find the communication process a bit nerve-wracking and uncomfortable.

Dell’s success is based on its agile organizational style. It has been able to strategically make decisions on supply chain and product development, which it has been bought around very quickly with changes in the industry. Aggressive implementation of information technology has been a key strategic goal for Dell. The quick action along with changes in the industry has been a great factor in Dell’s ability to survive and become “the market leader. This has contributed to Dell’s ability to speak with customers in a clear and efficient fashion. Communication has been very easy, as Dell has invested in a “customer-friendly system” to allow for quick communication and interaction with customers. This makes Dell the leader in the industry.

Dell has been known for its ability to adapt to the needs of its customers. Dell’s goal is to deliver customer satisfaction, and it is known to be the most successful firm in the industry. It has benefited from competition that is currently or recently has been in the computer industry. Dell has adapted to the changing technology by keeping its customers in mind. Dell has listened to them and kept changes in their products at a minimum. This has made Dell outstanding. There is also a perceived value in Dell’s customer service, and Dell has shown its clients consistent concern. Dell also strives for continuous improvement in all of its processes.

Dell has benefited from the quality of its workforce and the commitment that the people working at Dell have. Dell has always focused on improving its system, and always had a plan to implement new policy. The Dell workforce is extremely adaptable and innovative. Dell does this in a variety of ways, including training and pay increase, which has resulted in enthusiastic employees and managers who go above and beyond to make customers satisfied, and enhance their services.

There are several weaknesses of Dell, including:

• Lack of new product development
• Poor customer service
• Lack of response to a growing customer base (lack of communication)
• Failure to engage customers in its decision making
• Lack of focus on research and development
• Failure to improve its quality systems
• Failure to maintain a high-quality system

Dell has many strengths that have contributed to its ability to keep a high market share:

• Dedication to customer service
• Attitude towards employees
• Financial well-being

Dell’s weaknesses seriously dictate its competitive advantages.

Dell’s strength in direct sales leaves it vulnerable to competitors with superior distribution channels Like IBM, HP, Compaq (all competitive and in the same industry).

Dell has been known for its innovative thinking. It received the first prize for best IT company in the world. Dell is known for its excellent products and services. It is a market leader in its industry, with success using its approach to customers. Dell’s strategy is to maintain its competitive advantage through its service, which is known to be the industry standard. Dell has been able to survive and thrive in the face of a declining market. Dell has moved beyond a commoditization of its industry. Dell’s strategy has also allowed for efficiencies that other companies in the industry have not been able to replicate. Dell was able to stay ahead of its competitors. Through the implementation of technology, Dell has been successful at keeping a competitive advantage. This success has allowed Dell to maintain its aggressive growth rate.

The Paradox of Constraints

Part of Dell’s success can be attributed to its ability to use technology. Dell’s strategic planning has prospered through the implementation of technology. Dell’s success has been through its focus on its system. Dell has been successful at performance, and this has been a result of its innovation of management styles and technological innovations.

Dell has had a focus on the customer, and this is what has distinguished it from the industry. Dell’s use of technology has allowed it to be successful at focusing on the customer, and this has been huge in the competitive advantage. Dell has benefited from the implementation of technology, and its proactivity in the implementation of technology has been a key success factor.

Dell has recognized that managing by objective is important. Dell has used balanced scorecards to make sure that they are tracking the right things to effectively manage Dell. It has a clear understanding of the importance of tracking different strategies, customers, and the environment. Dell has taken advantage of the implementation of customer experience management to hire more salespeople with a technology focus. Dell has taken advantage of the implementation of the balanced scorecard by energized its workforce and aligned all of its “activity” modules under its four-box matrix for goals.

Dell’s success has been through the implementation of technology and its ability to manage, and implement technology in the right places. Dell has been proactive in dealing with the aspects of IT. Dell has always been able to spot market opportunities and has taken advantage of them.

Dell did not focus on technology just to implement it, it focused on technology when there were opportunities for it. These opportunities became Dell’s success. Dell also took advantage of various technologies in the creation of its organizational structure. This has allowed Dell to act quickly and independently.

Dell has constantly been proactive and reactive in the implementation of technology, and this has been consistent for over the last thirty years. This has helped Dell be relatively free of the influence of the industry’s tremendous changes that have occurred over the past decade. Dell has transformed itself from a computer seller to a customer solution provider. Dell has taken advantage of the implementation of technology, and it has been good at using the technology to its advantage. Dell has been extremely successful at eliminating internal inconsistencies and built itself a web-based business model. Dell’s intentions of focusing on customer service have forced it into the new world of technology, and because of that, Dell has been able to survive and thrive even in the midst of the worst economy ever recorded.

Dell has used its mobility and internet to reach customers in a new and better way. Dell has also used its mobility and internet to develop a better quality control and problem resolution system for its internal processes, and this improved its overall business process. Dell has focused on the customer, and through the implementation of technology, Dell can create an interactive system, and this has allowed Dell to enjoy the benefits that the internet has provided. Dell has also been good at using technology in production systems. Dell’s production system has allowed it to implement quality and customer service into the manufacturing processes.

Dell’s success is a result of the implementation of technology to its business processes, and that applies to all of Dell’s business processes. Dell has used technology in several different ways.

• Dell has used technology in inventory management.
• Inventory management is where Dell has focused on software, which has enabled Dell to focus on processes and automation of the processes.
• Dell has used technology in the performance management system. Dell has been using technology to manage workers performance. This had helped Dell with its ability to keep a hold of the best employees. Dell has also used technology in the assessment of the processes.
• Dell has used technology in the sales system. Dell partnered with the E-Bay, and has focused on providing customers the ability to shop around. Dell has used its ability to go beyond the internet to reach the customer and enhance their shopping experience. Dell has also used technology in the business process re-engineering. This has allowed for more efficient and effective business processes. Dell has focused on improving the quality of their services. The implementation of the balanced scorecard was an important part of this process, because it helped Dell to manage how they would use the different strategies and customer service. This resulted in an improvement in high quality customer service, and ultimately resulted in a high level of customer satisfaction.

Dell has benefited from the implementation of technology, and the effective implementation has encouraged Dell to be proactive. Dell has taken advantage of the use of technology in order to out-innovate its competitors. Dell has focused on enhancing growth and profitability. Dell has taken advantage of the implementation of technology, and it has been successful at the high growth rate of the company.

Effect on the industry

Dell is a great competitor in the computer industry. Dell has changed the whole trend in the computer industry. By establishing a state of the art factory in Austin, Dell has introduced the concept of making computers more customized and more efficient. Dell has introduced the idea of working and dealing with the customer in more personal way. Dell is anticipating the changing market needs and is innovative and smart. Dell is a great competitor and has proactively understood the drastically changing trends in the computer industry.

Dell has changed the view of entrepreneurship in its world. The way that Dell has changed the computer industry is a template for other entrepreneurs about how to do it right. Dell’s creation of a custom computer factory has changed the industry. Dell has taken its place in history as one of the greatest innovative entrepreneurs. Dell has also set an example of how business can be run. Dell’s success is a result of the implementation of technology to its business processes.