Variant Top Cow
Aug/080
Variant Top Cow
Evaluating Potential Businesses – 8 Critical Components of Your Business Viability Analysis
Indeed, Business Viability Analysis is a boring topic. But this is also the most critical component of your business & marketing plans which provides direction on the potential market environment, market demand and supply, and to extent, guides your potential market direction decisions. Note that financial modeling is beyond the scope of this article.
I have segregated the Business Viability Analysis into two major categories, namely Overview Evaluation models and Your Domain Business Evaluation models. The former includes Porter’s 5 Competitive Forces Model, P.E.S.T. Analysis. The latter includes SWOT Analysis Matrix, Target Segment Analysis, Product Life Cycle Analysis, Competitive Advantage Model, Product Growth Directions, BCG Matrix. Both set of models will help you to qualify if the business in question is viable from market demand supply as well as potential market perspectives.
1. Porter’s 5 Competitive Forces Model -
Porter’s 5 Competitive Forces model is developed by Michael E. Porter, an important strategic analysis from a broad market environment perspective. It explores the 5 major factors namely Bargaining Power of Supplier, Customer Power/Buyer Power, New Entry Threats, Substitution Threats & Competition Rivalry.
These 5 forces are interdependent, influencing and interplaying with each other at any given point in time. This is a model which needs to be revisited on a consistent basis, usually, over a half yearly time frame for re-evaluation of market trend.
2. P.E.S.T. Analysis -
Doing your “PEST control” ensures good health a strong pulse for your business. PEST analysis essentially means macro environmental evaluations such as Political & Legal, Economic, Social & Cultural, as well as Technological.
Economic environment could make or break your business. In 2008, the US sub-prime issue became a global financial crisis which not only affected the housing market but nearly every facet of the economy by virtue of its spillover effect. The interest rate at time of writing, is 2%, a far cry from 4% a year ago. Banks tighten their lending belts and business loan borrowing become more difficult to obtain. But if you manage to get that business loan, you should be incurring a much lower interest repayment.
One Social factor which is growing in importance is the environment. Every large corporation nowadays are involved in one way or another in reducing carbon emission to the ozone and in dealing with climate change.
3. SWOT Analysis Matrix -
SWOT Analysis, is the acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats affecting your business. Strengths component analyses internal capabilities throughout all business functions which could become unique propositions when mapping out business strategies. Weaknesses analyses the internal gaps in current state. Likewise, Opportunities & Threats analyse your business’s external environment which could give rise to opportunities or threats to your business. This is a fluid cheat sheet (not totally exhaustive & you should add on to it to cater to your own business type) which should be revisited annually as a reality business stop-check.
4. Target Segment Analysis -
This is a very critical section of the marketing plan which helps you with your market segmentation and defines your target markets. Define & segment your clientele-base into Primary & Secondary Target market groups using demographic and psychographic information. Demographic data includes age, income group, geographic location etc. Psychographic data includes life-stage needs, lifestyle, consumer purchasing behavior etc. Upon completion, you would have a better gauge on the potential size of your target segments. You may adjust the segments to match your products, thereby expanding your segments for greater potential.
5. Competitive Advantage Model -
The Competitive Advantage Model by Michael E. Porter suggests 4 approaches benchmarking against your competitors namely, Cost Leadership, differentiation or focus with 2 variants.
Cost Leadership strategy means leading in a low cost pricing strategy within your industry. This is achieved from economies of scale. You must almost solely dominate this competitive space otherwise more than one company in this space will cause a price war.
Differentiation strategy indicates unique value proposition, namely in areas such as the product, service, image, distribution, marketing etc or a combination of them.
Focus strategy aspires to be the best in a focused segment, with 2 variants of cost focus and differentiation focus
6. Product Life Cycle Analysis -
The Product Life Cycle Analysis helps you to identify the stage of your product. All products go through four stages, namely the Introduction, Growth, Maturity & Decline stage. Every product has a life cycle. You need to know each of your products’ life cycles thoroughly in order to plan to phase their life-stage across the horizon.
This analysis is a fluid document which needs to be revisited annually for planning purpose. If you believe that your product has other potential uses not maximized currently, you should pro-actively look to rejuvenating the life cycles of such products at their matured and declining stages.
7. Product Growth Directions -
Product Growth Directions shed light on the possible growth approaches you can adopt in driving your product sales. This is a matrix which maps your product growth strategies across new vs existing markets and products. Potentially, the four segments are Market penetration, Market development, Diversification as well as Product Development. Market penetration essentially denotes leveraging new markets with existing products. Market development means making inroads on existing markets & products. Diversification indicates leveraging on existing markets with new products. And of course, Product development is expansion into new markets with new products.
8. BCG Matrix -
Boston Consulting Group developed this BCG Matrix which helps you to determine what priorities should be given in your product portfolio of a product. It has essentially two dimensions - market share and market growth rate, with 4 categories fitting into these quadrants.
Stars = Leaders of the Business - Products with high growth rate & high market share. Generates high cashflow and requires high cash input. Usually, Net cashflow is flat.
Cash Cows = Foundation of the Business (stars of yester years) - Products with low growth rate & high market share. They generates high cashflow with low cash input requirements.
Dogs = Drags of the Business - Products with low growth rate & low market share. They must be avoided whenever possible. Liquidate as many as possible.
Question Marks = Ambiguity of the Business - Products with high growth rate & low market share. Have high cash demand and low returns. If keeping question marks, you must ensure increase in market share and deliver cash.
The identification of your products at the various categories will enlighten you to apply the correct growth & funding strategy. For instance, cash infusion could be provided to fund Question Marks &/or Stars to drive them towards the next level - Cash Cow positions.
True application of all the above mentioned viability analyses is a cumulative interplay of the different models, although they are developed separately by separate strategists. I advocate a broad yet conjugative approach to the application as therein lies great interdependence of each to the other.
| CS MOORE Top Cow Magdalena Artifacts Variant Edition Statue Figure NEW SEALED | |
 |
$289.95 Time Remaining: 14d 6h 38m Buy It Now for only: $289.95 |
| WITCHBLADE RESIN VARIANT STATUE SEXY DYNAMIC FORCES EXTREMELY RARE AND LIMITED | |
 |
$199.99 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 1m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
| Top Cow IMAGE TOMB raider 1 50 + Variant + Covers 99 05 | |
 |
$150.00 Time Remaining: 29d 6h 11m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
| 22 TOMB RAIDER LARA CROFT RARE VARIANTS TOP COW HIGH GRADE | |
 |
$149.99 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 54m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
| TOP COW GIRLS HC ASPEN RRP EURO VARIANT TURNER SDCC | |
 |
$98.99 Time Remaining: 24d 20h 46m Buy It Now for only: $98.99 |
| Fathom 0 14 Set + 7 Variants Michael Turner DF Wizard 1998 Top Cow Image Comics | |
 |
$99.95 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 36m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 |
| Hardcore 1 Marc Silvestri Store Sketch Variant Kirkman Top Cow Image 2012 | |
 |
$89.99 Time Remaining: 23d 6h 7m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
| Witchblade Tombraider Top Cow Marc Silvestri Gold Speckle Variant Michael Turner | |
 |
$65.00 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 48m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
| X 23 Target X 1 Top Cow Variant Mike Choi Cover Art Near Mint | |
 |
$60.00 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 39m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
| Image Top Cow HARDCORE 1 Marc Silvestri Sketch Variant RARE Kirkman | |
 |
$57.95 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 39m Buy It Now for only: $57.95 |
| JAY COMPANY TOP COW SPECIAL WITCHBLADE 68 B W SILVESTRI SKETCH LE 500 VARIANT | |
 |
$59.99 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 1m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
| JAY COMPANY TOP COW SPECIAL WITCHBLADE 68 SILVESTRI LE 500 VARIANT ANGELUS HOT | |
 |
$59.99 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 4m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
| Hardcore 1 Marc Silvestri Sketch Variant Top Cow Image Robert Kirkman Stelfreeze | |
 |
$59.99 Time Remaining: 5d 8h 35m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
| X Men Messiah Complex 1 Top Cow Variant CGC 98 | |
 |
$49.99 Time Remaining: 8d 4h 55m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
| Hardcore 1 Top Cow Store BW Variant Robert Kirkman | |
 |
$54.99 Time Remaining: 28d 9h 14m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 |
| Aphrodite IX 1 NM DF COA Silvestri Chrome Variant Finch Weems Top Cow Comic Book | |
 |
$49.65 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 52m Buy It Now for only: $49.65 |
| X 23 TARGET X 1 Top Cow Variant TOUGH NM | |
 |
$39.95 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 6m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
| X Men Messiah Complex 1 Top Cow Variant CGC 96 | |
 |
$32.99 Time Remaining: 22d 5h 52m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 |
| ASCENSION 1 22 DAVID FINCH + Preview Ed + 1 VARIANT Top Cow Comics | |
 |
$34.99 Time Remaining: 18d 3h 15m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
| ARTIFACTS 11 of 13 Top Cow Productions 150 VARIANT | |
 |
$34.95 Time Remaining: 8d 2h 33m Buy It Now for only: $34.95 |
| ARTIFACTS 8 of 13 Top Cow Productions 150 VARIANT | |
 |
$34.95 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 50m Buy It Now for only: $34.95 |
| ARTIFACTS 10 of 13 Top Cow Productions 150 SEJIC SKETCH VARIANT | |
 |
$34.95 Time Remaining: 26d 4h 20m Buy It Now for only: $34.95 |
| Huge comic lot various Marvel DC Image Top Cow variants other RARE all M to NM | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 11h 54m |
| Witchblade 150 Broussard Sketch Variant Top Cow | |
 |
$34.99 Time Remaining: 18d 8h 8m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
| ARTIFACTS 1 150 Sketch Variant TOP COW Witchblade | |
 |
$34.99 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 20m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
| X 23 TARGET X 1 TOP COW VARIANT HTF CGC 94 SEE MY OTHER LOT RUN | |
 |
$25.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 4h 50m |
| Top Cow Hardcore Pilot 1 Sketch Variant + Base NM Image 2012 HOT Kirkman InHand | |
 |
$36.99 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 5h 24m |
| Top Cow Comics Hunter Killer Variant Set 1 12 | |
 |
$35.99 Time Remaining: 7d 1h 8m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
| Image Top Cow Marvel Comics Devils Reign Set 1 8 Plus Variants | |
 |
$35.99 Time Remaining: 22d 23h 53m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
| Clayburn Moore Top Cow Witchblade Variant Figure Gold Toyfare Exclusive 1998 | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 13d 9h 1m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
| Fantastic Four 554 CGC 96 Top Cow Exclusive Variant | |
 |
$29.00 Time Remaining: 11d 4h 5m Buy It Now for only: $29.00 |
| Fathom 10 By Michael Turner Rare DF Perfect 10 Gold Foil Variant Top Cow 2000 | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 26d 1h 54m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
| WITCHBLADE LOT 7 11 19 21 24 26 27 Witchblade Tom Raider DF Variant Top Cow | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 11d 6h 4m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
| ARTIFACTS 4 of 13 Top Cow Productions 150 VARIANT | |
 |
$29.95 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
| ARTIFACTS 6 of 13 Top Cow Comics 150 NOTO VARIANT | |
 |
$29.95 Time Remaining: 14d 1h 16m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
| ARTIFACTS 5 of 13 Top Cow Productions 150 VARIANT | |
 |
$29.95 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 52m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
| ARTIFACTS 7 of 13 Top Cow Comics 150 VARIANT | |
 |
$29.95 Time Remaining: 29d 1h 12m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
| WITCHBLADE 40 CHROME VARIANT NM TOP COW COMICS | |
 |
$29.95 Time Remaining: 21d 23h 35m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
| MIDNIGHT NATION LOT 1 2 1 12 FULL SET + 1 DF VARIANT Top Cow J Straczynski JMS | |
 |
$27.99 Time Remaining: 11d 6h 3m Buy It Now for only: $27.99 |
| Artifacts 1 Sketch Variant Cover 150 Image Top Cow | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 19d 10h 26m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
| 2 Top Cow Comic Books Tomb Raider Origins 1 + Gold Foil Variant | |
 |
$33.25 Time Remaining: 23d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $33.25 |
| Cyberforce X Men 1 NmMt Silvestri Lee Variant Cvr Set Marvel Top Cow Xovr Comics | |
 |
$25.94 Time Remaining: 22d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $25.94 |
| Top Cow Comics Witchblade Darkness Darkness Witchblade Variant Set | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 6d 23h 58m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
| WITCHBLADE 55 Top Cow 2002 Exclusive Wizard World East Variant Signed Andy Park | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 11d 5h 1m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
| Top Cow Comics Midnight Nation Variant Set 1 12 | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 11d 5h 18m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
| TOMB RAIDER 1 HOLOFOIL COVER VARIANT TOP COW VF NM 1999 | |
 |
$24.99 Time Remaining: 22d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
| Image Top Cow Berserker 1 6 0 1 Variant COMPLETE MINI SET | |
 |
$20.00 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 28m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
| TOP COW CURSED COMICS LOT FULL RUN WITH VARIANTS | |
 |
$15.00 Time Remaining: 5d 22h 44m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
| WITCHBLADE LOT 41 49 52 53 Witchblade Tom Raider DF Variant Top Cow Millar | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 11d 6h 4m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| Top Cow Image Aspen Fathom comic lot 9 issues w HTF variant foil chrome | |
 |
$19.00 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 41m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
| THE DARKNESS 1 Variant 2 3 4 5 6 Garth Ennis Marc Silvestri Top Cow Image Comic | |
 |
$25.00 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 4m |
| Image Top Cow Comics Kiss 4K 1 B W Cover Variant | |
 |
$24.99 Time Remaining: 13d 9h 25m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
| 125 variant + reg MAGDALENA 1 AB set 2 RON MARZ TOP COW COMIC 1st print lot | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 19d 22h 17m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| Witchblade 132 NM VA Comicon Variant Serrano cvr C Sexy Santa Top Cow Comics | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 12m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| Witchblade Darkness 1 Platinum Foil logo variant Top Cow comics Big Scan | |
 |
$19.95 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 56m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
| Top Cow Darkness 20 2004 Comic Con Sketch Variant NM w COA | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 18m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| Magdalena 1 NM Chromium Joe Benitez Variant NM + Top Cow Comics | |
 |
$17.99 Time Remaining: 17d 11h 5m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
| Darkness Level 1 Nm+ Michael Turner Incentive Variant Cover Top Cow Comics Book | |
 |
$18.94 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 16m Buy It Now for only: $18.94 |
| Witchblade 12 Holochrome Wraparound Variant Top Cow Image | |
 |
$18.99 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 7m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 |
| The Darkness 1 variant CCG 90 Top Cow Witchblade Spawn Walking Dead Bad Girl | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 52m |
| ARTIFACTS 5 of 13 3 cover variants TOP COW IMAGE | |
 |
$20.99 Time Remaining: 28d 1h 34m Buy It Now for only: $20.99 |
| WITCHBLADE 139 VF NM Long Beach Comic Con Variant Top Cow Nov 2010 | |
 |
$16.99 Time Remaining: 20d 17h 39m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
| Witchblade 1995 151 Comicspro Variant First Printing Top Cow Diego Bernard NM | |
 |
$15.00 Time Remaining: 15d 8h 22m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
| Image Top Cow Comics Witchblade 103 B W Variant Cover | |
 |
$20.00 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 52m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
| Image Top Cow Comics Cyberforce 1 Variant B W Cover | |
 |
$20.00 Time Remaining: 22d 20h 2m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
| FATHOM VOL 2 3 B BLUE LINE VARIANT MICHAEL TURNER COVER TOP COW 2005 NM | |
 |
$16.00 Time Remaining: 24d 4h 52m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
| Darkness 1 Holofoil Premium Variant Marc Silvestri Cover Dale Keown Top Cow HTF | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 13d 7h 30m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| MIDNIGHT NATION Comic Books Set 1 2 12 w Variant STRACZYNSKI Image TOP COW NM | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 16d 9h 41m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| ECCC variant exclusive ANGELUS 2 1st print TOP COW convention exclusive DARKNESS | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 13d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| X Men Messiah Complex 1 Top Cow variant VF | |
 |
$12.95 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 7m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
| Medieval Witchblade Action Figure Scarlet Variant Top Cow Image Comics | |
 |
$9.95 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 51m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
| ARTIFACTS 2 of 13 Top Cow Productions NYCC VARIANT | |
 |
$14.95 Time Remaining: 2d 5h 2m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
| NETHERWORLD 1 of 5 MR Top Cow Comics 120 VARIANT | |
 |
$14.95 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 51m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
| The Darkness Volume 1 Top Cow Issue 8 Marc Silvestri Variant Cover Hard to Find | |
 |
$15.00 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 34m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
No comments yet.
Leave a comment
No trackbacks yet.