Edexcel Business A Level Revision

Porter's Strategic mix -  describes how a company pursues competitive advantage across its chosen market segment by using four generic strategies: mass vs niche and lowest cost vs highest differentiation strategies. Competitive advantage - An advantage over the competitors gained by offering consumers greater value, either by means of lower prices or by providing greater benefits and service that justifies higher price. Lost-cost positioning -  Where a business is able to operate at the lowest unit cost in the market, enabling it to charge lower prices than the competition or earn a higher profit margin Differentiation positioning - Where a business is able to distinguish its product or service in the minds of consumers as offering better value - perhaps through quality, branding or other attributes that consumers value Porter suggested two overall business strategies that could be followed in order to gain a competitive advantage: Low cost Differentiation I...

In terms of approaches to how management view human resources, a popular distinction is made between treating staff as an asset ("soft" HRM) and treating them as a cost ("hard" HRM). Staff as an Asset (SOFT HRM) ▪ Treats employees as the most important resource in the business and a source of competitive advantage. ▪ Employees are treated as individuals and then needs our plan accordingly. FOCUS = Concentrate on the needs of the employees - their roles, rewards, motivation etc Staff as a Cost (HARD HRM) ▪Treats employees simply as a resource of the business. ▪ Strong links with corporate business planning - what resources do we need, how do we get them and how much will they costs FOCUS = Identify workforce needs of the business and recruit and manage accordingly ( hiring, moving and firing) KEY FEATURES TO SOFT AND HARD HRM SOFT HRM Strategic focus on longer-term workforce planning Strong and regular two way communication Competi...