Part 8

Types of strategies

1. Turn around Strategies

Turnaround strategy means backing out, withdrawing or retreating from a decision wrongly taken earlier in order to reverse the process of decline.

There are certain conditions or indicators which point out that a turnaround is needed if the organization has to survive. These danger signs are as follows:

a) Persistent negative cash flow

b) Continuous losses

c) Declining market share

d) Deterioration in physical facilities

e) Over-manpower, high turnover of employees, and low morale

f) Uncompetitive products or services

g) Mismanagement

2. Divestment Strategies

Divestment strategy involves the sale or liquidation of a portion of business, or a major division, profit centre or SBU. Divestment is usually a restructuring plan and is adopted when a turnaround has been attempted but has proved to be unsuccessful or it was ignored. A divestment strategy may be adopted due to the following reasons:

a) A business cannot be integrated within the company.

b) Persistent negative cash flows from a particular business create financial problems for the whole company.

c) Firm is unable to face competition

d) Technological up gradation is required if the business is to survive which company cannot afford.

e) A better alternative may be available for investment

3. Liquidation Strategies

Liquidation strategy means closing down the entire firm and selling its assets. It is considered the most extreme and the last resort because it leads to serious consequences such as loss of employment for employees, termination of opportunities where a firm could pursue any future activities, and the stigma of failure.

Generally it is seen that small-scale units, proprietorship firms, and partnership, liquidate frequently but companies rarely liquidate. The company management, government, banks and financial institutions, trade unions, suppliers and creditors, and other agencies do not generally prefer liquidation.

Liquidation...