3. Functional Strategies
Functional strategies deals with relatively restricted
plan designed to achieve objectives in a specific
functional area, allocation of resources among
different operations within that functional area and
coordination among different functional areas for
optimal contribution to the achievement of the
business and corporate level objectives.
4. Functional Strategies
Vertical Fit
Congruence and
coordination among
strategies at different
level.
Horizontal Fit
Congruence and
coordination among
different strategies at
same level.
5. Functional Level Strategies
1) Marketing plan & policies.
2) Financial plan & policies.
3) Operational plan & policies
4) HRM plan& policies.
5) Information management plan & policies.
6. Functional Plans and Policies
Functional strategies defined in terms of functional
plans and policies –plans or tactics to implement
business strategies –are made within the guidelines set
at the higher levels.
Plans
Plan are made to select a course of action.
• Policies
Policies are required to act as guidelines to action.
7. Need for functional plans and
policies
To implement strategic decisions by all parts of an
organization.
To control activities in different functional areas of
business.
To reduce time spent by functional managers in
decision making.
To handle similar situations occurring in different
functional areas in a consistent manner.
Coordination across the different functions takes
place.
8. Marketing Plans and Policies
Product:
quality ,features,choice of models , brand names,packaging etc.
Pricing:
Discount , mode of payment , allowances , payment period , credit
terms etc.
Place:
Channels to be used,transportation,logistics and inventory storage
management and coverage of markets etc.
Promotion:
Advertising,personal selling, sales promotion and publicity.
9. Operational Plans & Policies
Production system
Capacity,location,lyout,product or service design,workssystem,degree of
automation.
Operations planning and control
Aggregate production planning,material supply,inventory,cost and quality
Management and maintenance of plant and equipment.
Research and Development
product development,personnel and facilities,level of technology used
,technology transfer and absorption , technological callaboration and
support.
10. Financial Plans Policies
Sources of Funds:
Capital mix decisions :capital structure,procurement of capital and
working capital borrowings,reserves & surplus, relationship with
lenders ,banks & financial institutions.
Usage of Funds:
Investment or asset-mix decisions:Capital investment,loans and
advances,fixed assets acquistion,current assests,dividend decisions etc.
Management of funds:
The system of finance , accounting and budgeting ,cash, credit and risk
management ,cost control and reduction etc.
11. Human Resources Development
plan & policies
• Personnel System:
Manpower planning,selection,development, compensation,communication and
appraisal.
• Organizational and employee characteristics:
Corporate image ,quality of managers,staff and workers, availabilityof
development opportunities for employees,working conditions.
• Industrial Relation:
Union-management relationship,collective bargaining,safety,welfare and
security,employee satisfaction and morale.
12. Information Management Plan
and Policies
Acquisition and Retention of information:
Sources,quantity,quality and timeliness of information,retention capacity
and security of information.
Processing and synthesis of information:
database management ,computer systems, software capability and the
ability to synthesize information.
Retrieval and usage of information:
The retrieval and usage of information deal with factors such as the
availability and appropriateness of information formats and the
capacity to assimilate &use information.
13. Information management
plans and policies
Transmission and dissemination of information:
The plans & policies with regard to the transmission and dissemination of
information deal with the factors such as speed, scope ,width &depth
of coverage of information and with the willingness to accept
information.
Integrative ,Systemic and supportive factors:
Availability of IT infrastructure, its relevance and compatibility to
organizational needs, up gradation of facilities ,willingness to invest in
state –of-the-art systems ,availability of computer professionals and top
management support.