Strategic Management the Case Study

Strategic Management

The case study focuses on presenting the professional situation of Alan Wilson, who is confronted with three choices regarding his professional future. Each of these possibilities comes with a series of advantages and disadvantages, and Alan's problem is to decide which one is the right one for him. The options are: pursuing an ascending career path at Grepter, working with Shiori in a social venture, and joining Karl at the hedge fund (Stevenson, 2008). The following pages will present a SWOT analysis for each of these options.

The Grepter option

Strengths. If Alan pursues this possibility, his financial situation could rise sky high if everything goes well. He might even come to run the entire company, not just the operational area. Such a great financial situation would be doubled by power, even at international level, granted to important companies' CEOs.

Weaknesses. Reaching the high social and financial status that would allow Alan to make a difference in the world could have a very long duration. It would also require tremendous work efforts. This means that his idea of settling down and starting a family might be affected if he follows this direction, because he might not have the required time that needs to be invested in the family.

Opportunities. With such power of influence and money Alan could start making a difference in the world. He could invest large amounts of money in a series of areas. His power could influence others to follow his example, and he could even be able to change behaviors, attitudes, and ways of thinking.

Threats. Even if this seems like a great career opportunity, there is also the threat that things will not work out according to plan. Alan might not be able to properly manage the situations that he will be confronted with, or the company's CEO might favor a different candidate for the promotions proposed to Alan. Also, Alan could lose the other career opportunities.

The social venture option

Strengths. This is the only option that could provide spiritual satisfaction to Alan. He could work with a friend that he already is familiar with, which would make the adaptation process significantly easier. This way, Alan would have the time required for starting a family.

Weaknesses. The financial aspect is the main weakness in this situation. It is quite likely that Alan would not gain financial satisfaction by working in the public sector. Also, even if this opportunity would allow Alan to change something in the world, this change would be minor and it would not affect as many people as it could if Alan followed a different prospect.

Opportunities. This situation allows Alan to follow his spiritual needs of making a difference and changing something in the world. Even if he starts with something limited, he could expand his work area and include larger domains of activity.

Threats. There is always the threat that at some point Alan would get tired of the limited role he would have to play in this situation and he might regret selecting this option. This would lead to frustrations, which would affect the quality of his work.

The hedge fund option

Strengths. This career opportunity is the most financially profitable on short-term or medium term for Alan. He would also be working with a friend who would help him adjust to the situation.

Weaknesses. Even if Alan gains significant amounts of money from the hedge fund activity, it will not suffice for changing things in the manner Alan wants. In this situation, Alan would not benefit from the same power that would be granted by working at Grepter.

Opportunities. Alan has the opportunity of working for a certain period of time at this hedge fund, gain some serious capital, and then focus on professional and spiritual aspects that interest him.