Podcast
Questions and Answers
What significant issue contributed to Iridium's inability to sign up many subscribers?
What significant issue contributed to Iridium's inability to sign up many subscribers?
What was the primary reason for the high costs of Iridium's services compared to competitors?
What was the primary reason for the high costs of Iridium's services compared to competitors?
How did the size and weight of Iridium's handsets impact its marketability?
How did the size and weight of Iridium's handsets impact its marketability?
Which marketing issue did Iridium face regarding its target audience?
Which marketing issue did Iridium face regarding its target audience?
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What role did competitive moves play in Iridium's struggles?
What role did competitive moves play in Iridium's struggles?
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What was a consequence of manufacturing delays at Motorola and Kyocera for Iridium?
What was a consequence of manufacturing delays at Motorola and Kyocera for Iridium?
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What is the expected lifespan of Iridium's satellites compared to ICO's satellites?
What is the expected lifespan of Iridium's satellites compared to ICO's satellites?
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What pricing challenge did Iridium face due to market competition?
What pricing challenge did Iridium face due to market competition?
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What was one of Apple's major disadvantages compared to its rivals like IBM?
What was one of Apple's major disadvantages compared to its rivals like IBM?
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What demographic did Apple initially target before broadening its appeal?
What demographic did Apple initially target before broadening its appeal?
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Which product significantly contributed to Apple's turnaround beginning in 2001?
Which product significantly contributed to Apple's turnaround beginning in 2001?
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How did Apple's market share in computers change from 1985 to 2005?
How did Apple's market share in computers change from 1985 to 2005?
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What was a key element of Apple's new marketing strategy?
What was a key element of Apple's new marketing strategy?
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What was the reason for Apple's decline in share value in 1997?
What was the reason for Apple's decline in share value in 1997?
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What approach did Apple take to manage its brand better?
What approach did Apple take to manage its brand better?
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Which aspect of Apple's capabilities was crucial for its strategic planning?
Which aspect of Apple's capabilities was crucial for its strategic planning?
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What does strategic management primarily aim to achieve?
What does strategic management primarily aim to achieve?
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How has the nature of planning changed in today's business environment?
How has the nature of planning changed in today's business environment?
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What is a key challenge faced by today's decision-makers?
What is a key challenge faced by today's decision-makers?
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What major difference exists between strategic management and long-term planning?
What major difference exists between strategic management and long-term planning?
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Why are organizations today required to engage in strategic management?
Why are organizations today required to engage in strategic management?
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Before the significant changes in the external environment, what did managers primarily focus on?
Before the significant changes in the external environment, what did managers primarily focus on?
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Which of the following factors represents a shift from the stable environments of the past?
Which of the following factors represents a shift from the stable environments of the past?
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What has been a common response of top companies to contemporary challenges?
What has been a common response of top companies to contemporary challenges?
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What is one of the main purposes of a clear vision in an organization?
What is one of the main purposes of a clear vision in an organization?
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What is often enhanced as a result of participating in the visioning process?
What is often enhanced as a result of participating in the visioning process?
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What is a consequence of lacking a clear vision in an organization?
What is a consequence of lacking a clear vision in an organization?
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Which of the following is NOT a role of a vision statement?
Which of the following is NOT a role of a vision statement?
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How does a well-communicated vision statement benefit an organization?
How does a well-communicated vision statement benefit an organization?
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What type of challenge does a vision provide for managers?
What type of challenge does a vision provide for managers?
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What is essential for translating a shared vision into action?
What is essential for translating a shared vision into action?
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What does a vision statement help an organization articulate?
What does a vision statement help an organization articulate?
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What characteristic of a vision statement ensures that it includes innovative possibilities for improvement?
What characteristic of a vision statement ensures that it includes innovative possibilities for improvement?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an effective vision statement?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an effective vision statement?
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What does the actionability characteristic of a vision statement imply?
What does the actionability characteristic of a vision statement imply?
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Which vision statement aims to be widely accessible to everyone on the planet?
Which vision statement aims to be widely accessible to everyone on the planet?
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What characteristic of a vision statement relates to its clarity and ease of understanding?
What characteristic of a vision statement relates to its clarity and ease of understanding?
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Which of the following best describes the desirability aspect of a vision statement?
Which of the following best describes the desirability aspect of a vision statement?
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What is the purpose of the graphic characteristic of a vision statement?
What is the purpose of the graphic characteristic of a vision statement?
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Why should a vision statement be feasible?
Why should a vision statement be feasible?
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Study Notes
Iridium's Failure
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Iridium, a satellite phone company, failed due to a combination of poor forecasting, marketing, production glitches, and unexpected competitive threats.
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Iridium's market size forecast and value were much higher than reality.
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Iridium's handsets were expensive ($3,000+) and calls were costly ($2-7/minute).
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The handsets were bulky (7 inches, 1 pound), limiting portability.
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Manufacturing delays by Motorola and Kyocera delayed customer access.
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Marketing partners Sprint and Telecom Italia lacked preparedness to sell the phones.
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Generic marketing strategies failed to connect with the specialized target market.
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Competitors Globalstar and ICO offered similar services at lower costs.
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Iridium's satellite constellation required high power and shorter life spans than competitors, leading to higher operational costs.
Strategic Management Benefits
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Strategic management is vital for businesses to adapt to rapid changes in the environment.
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Businesses need to move beyond long-term planning and focus on exploiting and creating new opportunities.
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Apple's turnaround is an example of a successful strategic management application.
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Apple focused on its core strengths (design and new product development) while minimizing its weaknesses (manufacturing capabilities).
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Having a clear vision is imperative for organizational success.
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Vision statements should be clear, desirable, challenging, feasible, and easily communicated.
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Lack of vision is linked to organizational decline and failure.
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Strong vision statements can:
- Provide a basis for performance
- Reflect core values
- Facilitate communication
- Establish a desirable challenge
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Description
Explore the rise and fall of Iridium, a satellite phone company, and the strategic management lessons learned from its failure. Examine how miscalculations in market forecasting, high costs, and competitive threats led to its downfall. Understand the importance of effective marketing and strategic planning in adapting to change.
