Analysis of Sas Institute

Executive Summary

As a competing software company, you are well aware of the historical success of SAS Institute’s business model. Our evaluation of this model explains SAS’s market dominance to provide your company with an increased competitive advantage against SAS. Summarizing the capabilities and competencies of SAS, coupled with analysis of the implementation of these competencies will determine if it is possible to imitate SAS’s model. An interesting question which arose during the analysis was, “To what extent is SAS dependent on James Goodnight as CEO?” That question will be answered. We illustrate how SAS leverages the theories of human motivation and other methods to encourage productivity and overcome the barriers to implementing these strategies. Your company’s long-term viability will be enhanced with the implementation of these strategies.

SAS uses capital resources to exceed client and employee expectations by offering an excellent benefits package. This includes a 35 hour work week, on-site child care, on-site medical facilities, room for personal growth, and a focus on long term client relations instead of short term financial gains. Providing excellent perks is not the only secret of SAS. The company strives to show true respect for every single employee, and great care is taken to make each employee feel like an important part of the company. SAS enforces this culture by allowing employees to take risks and rewarding them for doing so.

While SAS is very dependent on the values and attitude of Jim Goodnight, it is still possible to imitate the company’s culture. There are four key steps your company can take to bring a similar culture to your organization: build strong employee and customer relations, encourage and offer opportunity for creativity, shift the focus of the company to employee and customer satisfaction instead of financial earnings, and increase opportunities for employee advancement and recognition.

Introduction...