Analiza Swot Robin Hood

Robin Hood SWOT Analysis and Strategy Recommendations Robin Hood’s main problem was the increasing size of his band. Initially, he had hoped that strength lay in numbers and the more Merry men he had, the better it would be for him to effectively fight against the sheriff’s administration. He did not put enough thought into curbing the number of people being recruited. The dilemma occurred when the increasing number of men had made the band a corporation. The more men were recruited into the organization, the less face to face interaction Robin had encountered with with each of his men. This would make it hard for him to enforce rules and regulations using his old ways because vigilance was not present with the new recruits. Moreover, the capacity to fund the increasing number of people became very scarce. Supplies needed to be obtained from outlaying villages. This is a very clear consequence of any expanding organization. A formal structure needed to be enforced and a chain of executive party needed to be established so as to monitor the increased number of people in the organization. New Strategy

The initial mission of the band, “Rob the rich and give to the poor” was no longer effective to the band. The funds obtained from the outright confiscation of the rich were no longer accommodating the increasing number number of the people in the band. The mission statement had to be revised to accommodate the changing ways of the organization. New strategies also need to be introduced to meet the fund requirements of the band. Moreover, there needed to be a revision to the objectives of the band so as to limit the number of people being recruited. This, in my opinion, is a primary concern that needs attention. Robin Hood’s proposal to run a policy of adopting a fixed transit tax to whomever passed through the Sherwood Forest seems feasible but the Merrymen’s concern of jeopardizing the allies’ support in their fight against the Sheriff is also relevant. SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis to this problem would make the situation easy to manipulate. We can analyze the different compartments of the situation by identifying the internal and external factors. The Strengths and theWeaknesses of the situation are internal factors since they are within the band’s direct influence. Opportunities and Threats are external problems since the band cannot influence their creation. They are induced by other factors beyond the band’s reach. We will analyze each segments of the SWOT to this problem Strengths

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Numbers in the band are increasing which would give Robin and his men the upper hand when fighting the Sheriff’s administration administration

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Robin’s close encounters each have specific duties and somewhat organized.

Weaknesses

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Too large…expanding number of recruits but less accommodation available

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Vigilance and discipline lacking between the men…between raids, the men milled about talking and playing games

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Disorganized and still caught up to the ways and methods of the early days

Opportunities 

The plot to restore power to King Richard will solve the problem to the Sheriff administration’s schemes from the top…Cause will be answered and there would be no need to steal from travelers.

Threats

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Sheriff is growing much stronger and becoming better organized

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Sheriff has political connections and powerful friends and he was well regarded by the regent, Prince John

Policy Revisions

The policy suggested by Robin Hood to impose tax on travelers will only be feasible under certain conditions. First, the band’s mission should be clearly stated. Was the band initially created to fight against the sheriff’s administration or to help the poor by stealing from the rich? Or are these two points interconnected? If the former point is the mission statement, then posing tax on the town’s people traveling through the forest will only undermine the band’s purpose which will result in the lack of allies. If the latter point is the mission statement, then posing transit tax will provide a steady provision of funds to the needy. Band’s Expansion The expansion of the band into the different geographical areas in all corners of the compass will only allow the creation of a bigger national corporation. This will definitely require a formal structure from the headquarters in Robin Hood’s area. Recruits specializing in management also need to be heavily recruited. If all these requirements are fulfilled, then there will be minimal concern of not generating revenues and cash flows. Mission to Restore King Richard back to Power

By assisting the barons to restore King Richard back to power has many pros and cons. The mission is very dangerous and King John’s Spies are everywhere. If this plan fails, the consequences are very grave. The retributions that would follow will be swift and very dangerous. Pros 

King Richard will be able to answer to the peasant’s needs and concerns

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Sheriff will not be in power and hence his threat will be minimal

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There will be no need to steal from the rich

Cons

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Dangerous proposition with very swift retributions

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It would be risking everything that the band stood for but the benefits would sure be grand

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The Barons or King Richard himself might not live up to their words

Recommendations In my opinion, Robin Hood’s first priority should be to appropriate structure and organization in the

band. He needs to allot someone in charge of curbing the number of new recruits and seek other ways of finding provisions for his men. Once all this is done, he needs to take the great risk of assisting the barons in their mission to rescue King Richard and restore back in power. By doing so, Robin will have gotten his revenge and will not have to require the band’s presence any longer.

Robin Hood Case (Essay) What Should Robin Hood Do? There are several issues Robin Hood needs to consider. First, Robin Hood needs to make sure his own personal grievances against the Sheriff do not cloud his vision and what is in the best interest of his Merrymen as a group. Second, take a broad look at the overall organizational structure by conducting an environmental scan, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis and/or using a variety of organizational assessments (measurements). A  SWOT analysis will help determine some strategic alternatives and how the band can attempt to fulfill its mission and achieve its goals. Robin Hood can use the SWOT analysis to identify where he is strong and vulnerable, where he should defend and attack by scanning both internal and external environments (McNamara, Performance Management, 1999).  An organization-wide change might include a change in mission, restructuring operations, rightsizing, and/or restructuring personnel into self-managed cells, which is needed for this band to survive. As with most organizations, when any changes are initiated there is generally resistance to accept changes and disagreements on new management styles and purposes. The organizational culture develops over time and may be resistant to change because of the persistent nature of how things have normally been done within the band. Robin Hood must consider whether to change their policy of  outright confiscation of goods and institute a fixed transit tax (shift to a new business purpose) (McNamara, Basic Context for Organizational Change, 1999). His lieutenants strongly object and do not want to change the Merrymen’s famous motto, or tax the farmers and the townspeople that support their fight against the Sheriff (Thompson, Strickland, &  Gamble, 2005). Also, should Robin Hood accept the offer to merge with the Barons to fight the competition (Sheriff) and secure King Richard’s release (personal communication, September 7, 2006). Before jumping into any major organizational changes, issues will need to be worked out so the Merrymen are all oriented in the same direction and remain united and unified in the way the band needs to operate. The fear of the unknown tends to cause greater anxiety than the change itself. Generally, involving personnel (the Merrymen) is a core element process for personnel empowerment to make them feel valued and important for team building. This will ensure Robin Hood gets as much feedback as he can on what the Merrymen think the problems are and what should be done to

resolve the band’s issues (McNamara, Strategic Planning, 1999). Next, Robin Hood needs to plan and strategize on how to take care of his Merrymen and address the issues to handle the overwhelming growth of new recruits. He is responsible for the training, health, morale, and safety of the band, as well as its well-being. The rapid size increase of the band creates several different issues within itself that Robin Hood must deal with as well; (1 depleting the forest resources for food and shelter causing the band to outgrow its present location; (2 how to increase revenues and reduce cost; (3 find a new legitimate market for making revenues, because travelers avoid the forest for fear of being robbed; (4 because of the large number of new recruits, security for the band must be increased to avoid detection and not give away their exact location; (5 at least half of the men in Robi n Hood’s band are unfamiliar to him. He needs to know who they are or remove unnecessary manpower and develop a strict and

stringent way of determining who can become a band member; (6 Robin Hood’s leadership role with his Merrymen has changed from ruling supremely (referent and expert power) and making all the decisions to a management role (legitimate, reward, coercive, and referent power) aligning his resources, enforcing discipline, control, and maintaining the level of motivation in order for the M errymen to believe in Robin Hood’s vision for it to be successful (Ambur, 2000).

Finally, with the growing size of the sheriff’s forces of men, money, and improved organization, Robin Hood needs to

plan a strategy to win the fight (militarily as we as public perception and opinion) against the Sheriff, attack the Sheriff's strengths, and overthrow Prince John to eliminate the Sheriffs source of authority over Nottingham and t he common people (personal communication, September 10, 2006). What is the organization's mission (careful -- that may not be as obvious as it seems!)?

Robin Hood’s original mission was revenge, to steal from the rich and give to the poor because of his personal grievances against the Sheriff of Nottingham and his protection of an usurped administration (Prince John from King

Richard). Prince John taxed King Richard’s subjects into poverty and stole from them for his own personal gain (losing customer focus). Robin Hood and his small disciplined group of Merrymen robbed from the tax collectors and other

wealthy patricians traveling through the forest and returned the money to the poor. Eventually Robin Hood’s mission evolved to change the Nottingham administration by fighting the oppression of a corrupt government and fighting for the poor maligned peasants (personal communication, September 10, 2006). Do Robin and the Merrymen need a new mission, new vision or strategy?  Yes, Robin needs to change his strategy to fit the new organization structure by breaking down the band into smaller

groups (cells) and promote more lieutenants to reinforce the band’s mission, vision, and strategies. Robin Hood needs to define the vision so that all the Merrymen understand and accept the same vision as Robin Hood. Developing a strategic vision statement will help guide the band to where they want to be in the future. Change the mission statement to represent his band and not just the personal vendetta mission of one man. A mission statement describes what the band’s basic function in society is in terms of the products and the services it provides (Thompson, Strickland, &  Gamble, 2005). Even though Robin Hood and his Merrymen steal from the rich, it is for a good cause to help the common people throw off the shackles of an oppressive government. Robin Hood needs to change the business strategy (how to get there) of the band and find new legal methods of making revenue to support his movement against the Sheriff and the repressive administration of Prince John (personal communication, September 10, 2006). What would YOU recommend? First, develop a plan of action for specific business strategies that promote survival, prosperity, and predict future organizational change requirements. Inadequate resources to fight the competition will become a reason for the

Merrymen to fail. A new mission statement that describes the band’s basic function in society: “rob from the rich and give to the poor to fight corruption and inequality suffered under Prince John’s reign―. Then conduct a SWOT analysis to determine strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats to create a plan of action (personal communication, September 15, 2006). Strengths: 1. Charismatic adored leader (Robin Hood) 2. Rob from the rich and give to the poor 3. New recruits pouring in from every corner of England (Strength in Numbers) 4. Band member dedication striving for the cause 5. Timely and accurate intelligence provided by Scarlett 6. Constant surveillance which predicts and confirms the moves of the sheriff and his men 7. Collect travel plan information on the merchants and tax collectors 8. Little John managed discipline among the men and maintained their archery skills at high peak performance 9. Scarlock managed the finances and converted loot into cash and stashed surplus in secure locations 10. Much provided supplies, food, and other things required for the band of Merrymen 11. Support of the common people Weaknesses: 1. Large size of the band 2. Lack of discipline and control 3. Leader unfamiliar with most of the men in the band 4. Decreased vigilance and lack of security 5. Lack of resources 6. Insufficient facilities (Forest) 7. Cost of food draining finances 8. Sherriff of Nottingham and Prince John are vicious, volatile, and tightly united Opportunities:

1. Kill the character and credibility of the sheriff to marginalize him as Prince John’s representative while keeping the

person alive and in place in order to prevent Prince John from placing a more qualified individual in the position of Sheriff  of Nottingham. A more capable and better resourced person could conceivably defeat Robin Hood.

2. The return of King Richard to eliminate the Sherriff’s and Prince John’s power base 3. Join the conspiracy in return for future amnesty 4. Reduce manpower to eliminate expenses 5. Initiate a new policy of a fixed transit tax providing financial gains for the band 6. Flexibility to move to another area to find possible sources of revenue (new or existing market) 7. Enlightened the Nottingham people about unlawful behavior of the Sheriff and Administration

8. Barons dispute of Prince John’s claim to the throne Threats: 1. Sheriff grows more powerful and better organized day -by-day 2. Growing band depleted resources (food and finances) 3. Decrease in the vigilance among the band members 4. Hard to enforce and control discipline in the band members 5. Tax collectors and the merchants no longer traveled through the forests

6. New recruits may be Prince John’s spies 7. Detection of band location and get captured (Thompson, Strickland, & Gamble, 2005). This analysis will allow Robin Hood to determine where the Merrymen stand compared to their competitors (Sheriff of  Nottingham/Administration) and where Robin Hood and the Merrymen will see themselves in the next few years. Robin Hood should penetrate the existing market and direct Scarlett and Scarlock to find a more suitable new market where revenues will be increased and the food reduced with a new source of supplies. Robin Hood should stop recruiting, remove unnecessary manpower by forming an auxiliary support force which stands in reserve and does not create the same drain on resources a standing militia does. He must also relocate smaller groups of men to other parts of the forest or another geographical location outside of Nottingham. Smaller groups of men are easier to control and maintain discipline, allowing Robin Hood to broaden his cause outside Nottingham to grow larger and stronger in conjunction with the sheriff’s forces. When relocating his men, Robin Hood must remember Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to satisfy hunger and thirst by securing a reliable source of food and other goods that are essential for future survival (personal communication, September 15, 2006). With a new business plan strategy in place, Robin should plan and execute a raid immediately on Prince John to eliminate the Sheriffs authoritative power and prestige over the people of Nottingham. This would allow for the return of King Richard the Lionheart. The longer Robin waits will only allow the Sheriff to increase his resources and collect more information on how to eliminate or marginalize Robin as a leader and cause the Merrymen to disband (personal communication, September 10, 2006).

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