http://crmatters.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/cr-culture-and-corporate-strategy-joining-the-dots/ musings on strategy, brand and engagement with a CR bent Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:40:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://crmatters.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/cr-culture-and-corporate-strategy-joining-the-dots/#comment-171 Dan Gray Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:22:02 +0000 http://crmatters.wordpress.com/?p=436#comment-171 Thanks for the comment, Jim. I’d say that M&S’ focus on costs is more about meeting threshold levels of performance and that their core value discipline is (or at least should be) product leadership. Historically, M&S’ reputation was always built on product quality. Indeed, I’d argue that the downturn in their fortunes, particularly under Richard Greenbury’s tenure as CEO, came as a direct result of losing sight of that focus. Thanks for the comment, Jim. I’d say that M&S’ focus on costs is more about meeting threshold levels of performance and that their core value discipline is (or at least should be) product leadership. Historically, M&S’ reputation was always built on product quality. Indeed, I’d argue that the downturn in their fortunes, particularly under Richard Greenbury’s tenure as CEO, came as a direct result of losing sight of that focus.

]]> http://crmatters.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/cr-culture-and-corporate-strategy-joining-the-dots/#comment-169 JimC Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:55:57 +0000 http://crmatters.wordpress.com/?p=436#comment-169 Interesting, I can see the link. How would you classify companies like M&S in this? Superficially at least they are attempting to appeal to the high- street shopper's sense of doing right by the world with "Plan A", but they seem to have embedded it deeper into their strategy. A quick look would put them at CR3 or 4 on your scale. At the same time they also seem to be cost focussed and have more POS showing what they are doing than anyone with the possible exception of Tesco. Interesting, I can see the link. How would you classify companies like M&S in this? Superficially at least they are attempting to appeal to the high- street shopper’s sense of doing right by the world with “Plan A”, but they seem to have embedded it deeper into their strategy. A quick look would put them at CR3 or 4 on your scale. At the same time they also seem to be cost focussed and have more POS showing what they are doing than anyone with the possible exception of Tesco.

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