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Ansoffs Matrix

Development of Corporate Strategy

  • Ansoff’s Matrix is a tool for businesses who have a growth objective

  • It is used to identify an appropriate corporate strategy and understand the level of risk associated with the chosen strategy

  • The model considers four elements, which are broken down into two categories

    • The market - existing and new markets

    • The product - existing and new products
       

Diagram of the Ansoff Matrix

3-1-2-ansoffs-strategic-matrix

Ansoff’s Strategic Matrix

Market penetration

  • The least risky strategy to achieve growth is to pursue a strategy of market penetration 

    • This involves selling more products to existing customers by encouraging

      • More regular use of the product

      • Increased usage of the product

      • Brand loyalty of customers

Market development

  • Market development involves finding and exploiting new market opportunities for existing products by

    • Entering new markets abroad

    • Repositioning the product by selling to different customer profiles (selling to other businesses as well as direct to consumers)

    • Seeking complementary locations

      • E.g. M&S Food has achieved significant growth since teaming up with fuel retailers such as BP and Applegreen and providing express retail outlets

Product development

  • Product Development involves selling new or improved products to existing customers by

    • Developing new versions or upgrades of existing successful products

    • Redesigning packaging and aesthetic features

    • Relaunching heritage products at commercially convenient intervals

      • E.g. Lindt relaunches Christmas-themed products each year, often with a subtle design change, to recapture the interest of customers

Diversification 

  • Diversification is the most risky growth strategy as it involves targeting new customers with entirely new or redeveloped products

    • Examples of diversification include

      • UK supermarket Tesco launching a range of financial products including current accounts and credit cards

      • Café chain Greggs launching a range of themed clothing products

Ansoffs Matrix

Development of Corporate Strategy

  • Ansoff’s Matrix is a tool for businesses who have a growth objective

  • It is used to identify an appropriate corporate strategy and understand the level of risk associated with the chosen strategy

  • The model considers four elements, which are broken down into two categories

    • The market - existing and new markets

    • The product - existing and new products
       

Diagram of the Ansoff Matrix

3-1-2-ansoffs-strategic-matrix

Ansoff’s Strategic Matrix

Market penetration

  • The least risky strategy to achieve growth is to pursue a strategy of market penetration 

    • This involves selling more products to existing customers by encouraging

      • More regular use of the product

      • Increased usage of the product

      • Brand loyalty of customers

Market development

  • Market development involves finding and exploiting new market opportunities for existing products by

    • Entering new markets abroad

    • Repositioning the product by selling to different customer profiles (selling to other businesses as well as direct to consumers)

    • Seeking complementary locations

      • E.g. M&S Food has achieved significant growth since teaming up with fuel retailers such as BP and Applegreen and providing express retail outlets

Product development

  • Product Development involves selling new or improved products to existing customers by

    • Developing new versions or upgrades of existing successful products

    • Redesigning packaging and aesthetic features

    • Relaunching heritage products at commercially convenient intervals

      • E.g. Lindt relaunches Christmas-themed products each year, often with a subtle design change, to recapture the interest of customers

Diversification 

  • Diversification is the most risky growth strategy as it involves targeting new customers with entirely new or redeveloped products

    • Examples of diversification include

      • UK supermarket Tesco launching a range of financial products including current accounts and credit cards

      • Café chain Greggs launching a range of themed clothing products