Harvard ManageMentor ® Identifying Operational Success Factors

2 Harvard ManageMentor: Identifying Operational Success Factors Discussion Topics  What operations will be most important for creating your product or service and selling it to customers?  What competitive advantages might these operations present? © Copyright 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.

3 Harvard ManageMentor: Identifying Operational Success Factors What Operations Matter Most to Your Business Concept? Examples of operations:  Sourcing raw materials  Manufacturing products  Distributing products  Delivering services © Copyright 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.

4 Harvard ManageMentor: Identifying Operational Success Factors What Operational Advantages Might You Identify? Examples of operational advantages:  Inexpensive raw materials  Cheap way to transport materials or goods  Innovations in manufacturing or distribution processes  Favorable geographic locations  Access to skilled employees or inexpensive labor © Copyright 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.

5 Harvard ManageMentor: Identifying Operational Success Factors Next Steps  Consider operational advantages suggested by your colleagues today.  Investigate operational advantages to check for viability.  Incorporate operational advantages into the operations section of your business plan. © Copyright 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.