Hey guys

im feelin a little out of the loop this week, not by any of your own faults its just been a hellish week unfortunately.

I've been working at strategy info but it seems to just play into the parts that everyone else is working on so if someone wants me to work with them on their info let me know.

I've been doing a bit of planning for the actual write-ups for the SWOT and if it works with you all i'll put that all together this weekend (after we finalise what we want to be included)

I have also been looking at a broader look of the company just for some good terms and ideas to bring into the writeup such as The Value Chain (how primary activities starting at R&D drive the production and in turn marketing and sales) and also things like Competitive Advantage and trying to find info on the impact of new models on older model sales but dont have much on that one (if anyone does let me know)

I am working on something in regards to Drivers of PRofitability (ROIC) also so we can use that as aprt of recommendation should we suggest that the R&D spending be increased to a prefered *(yet maintainable) level.

Anyways let me know if you need me to swich mindsets for something, ive finalyl got a few days off this weekend so i can get some real quality time in "case-mode"

Joel

p.s. can you get email updates of posting? HAvent used blogger for so long i cant remember and its hard to get round my firewall at work to post.

RIM SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

• To date R&D and engineering has been the core of RIM’s success
• R&D was continually delivering award winning products
• R&D operations are spread out as far as number and location of employees
• RIM’s cryptographic and software source code has built a strong reputation
• Strong corporate culture has made people happy and resulted in low turnover
• Recruiting the best and brightest talent from the University of Waterloo

WEAKNESSES

• R&D spending has dropped significantly as a percentage of sales
• The core work is still occurring solely at the Waterloo headquarters
• Historical growth strategy: sourcing local talent and making selective acquisitions
• Talent and space are getting scarce in the Waterloo region
• RIM’s career site doesn’t allow for applicants to be processed for different jobs
• An internal resistance to any R&D locations outside the Waterloo area
• Only room from vertical integration because of privacy concerns with coding

OPPORTUNITIES

• Industry is experiencing explosive growth
• A good indicator of revenue growth is R&D spending as a percentage of sales
• Recruiting to students from other Universities across Canada
• Grow the R&D team through existing locations
• Bring in resources through acquisitions of troubled companies
• There would be more R&D sources
• There may be an expansion in a strategic market
• Expand operations globally where some business operation already occur

THREATS

• The industry is driven by engineering innovation and technological advances
• Various companies with their software platforms
• Industry experiencing explosive growth and increased competition
• Apple with the iphone pursuing North America business segment
• Growing demand for qualified engineers to deliver for customers and investors
• The was limited talent left in the Waterloo area for hiring
• Attracting talent outside Waterloo was hard as competitors are also hiring
• Hiring new graduates from various school in Canada
• Hiring/creating international jobs for employees across the world

Question

Hi Everyone,

I was asked by another group if we would be able to switch slots for meeting with Jo-Anne next week.
The only issue I can see is that they see Jo-Anne on Thursdays, and Joel said that he had already booked Tuesdays off at work.
Just respond and let me if the change is possible or not. No worries if it doesn't work.

Thanks,
Danielle