Page 7 - CIMA SCS Workbook August 2018 - Day 1 Suggested Solutions

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

They will also be able to exercise a degree of power over the company; if its titles are not up to
expectations, the reader can simply switch to a title produced by a competitor.

Note: alternative positions on the matrix could be acceptable – it is the justification of the
analysis that is the most important.

EXERCISE 3

Strengths

Large portfolio of 40 newspaper titles, both local and national

Diverse revenue streams – sale of newspapers, advertising, contract printing services – reduces
risk

Long-established business, been in existence since the early 1880s

Presence of websites and apps for some titles – enables digital growth

History of growth by both organic means and by acquisition (although no takeover since 1992)

Strong family ethos means well-defined sense of identity

Seemingly strong controls over editorial process, should reduce risk of litigation and ensure
quality of articles

2 print factories which produce all FNG titles, meaning control over quality and coverage of whole
of Borland

Highly-trained skilled staff at the print factories

Print factories are running 24/7 and at near full capacity

Recent growth in contract printing through winning tenders, making use of any spare capacity

Regular employee forums at regional level, aimed at addressing staff concerns

Communication with staff/unions during times of change – may make cutting staff levels easier

Print sites environmental management systems certified to ISO 14001 standard during past year

Good sustainability – all newsprint sourced from sustainable suppliers

KAPLAN PUBLISHING 45