Study of Business Strategy of Royal Bank of Scotland

This study of business strategy is based on Royal Bank of Scotland. It is one of the retail banking subsidiaries of the Royal Bank of Scotland group which has approximate 700 branches in which numbers of branches are situated in Scotland. It was founded in the year of 1727 by Alison Rose. Vision of this bank is to serve customers in an efficient manner and improve quality on continuous basis for satisfying changing needs of customers. This bank serve approximate 19 million customers. Mission of this bank is to become the first choice of customers, businesses and institution by providing them excellent financial services.

EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

Impacts And Influence of Macro Environment

Macro environment is a part of external business environment. It consists of all those factors which company cannot control itself but it can change intensity of some factors by making changes in its own company's policies and improving brand image of the company. It includes political factors which shows stability and instability of political of the country in which company is operating and want to operate. Economic factors, technological factors, social factors, environmental and legal factors. By making an effective use of PESTLE analysis model, Royal Bank of Scotland can analyse all these factors and identify opportunities and threats.

PESTLE Analysis

Political: In the context of Royal Bank of Scotland, it is stated that year 2016 was challenging political environment for it due to new regulatory rules of EU. These rules was forcing to banks to ring-fence their core operations and introduction of new 8% surcharge on bank profits. After that, in 2016, Brexit hit the performance of banks. It brought uncertainty for Royal Bank of Scotland and other firms of UK. But now it can be said that there is a political stability in the UK in the context of banking sector. It helps RBS in making friendly business environment with market growth trends. There are some trade barriers which protects RBS but it harms other countries by preventing potential exports. High level of taxation policy can also demotivate companies to increase profits (Kolios, Read and Ioannou, 2016).

Economic: In this context, it can be said that uncertainty of UK exist from Europe give some economic challenges to bank. Brexit is one of the main factor which comes up and bring several negative consequences for regulations. It impacts on employees, customers and clients of RBS in a negative manner. Due to Brexit, RBS reduces its base rate from 0.5 percent to 0.25 percent. So, in this context it can be said that it reduces interest rate which was challenge for banks because it directly impacts on their profitability (PESTLE Analysis of Royal bank of Scotland, 2017). Overall, it can be said that economical factor affected growth and performance of Royal Bank of Scotland in a negative manner.

Social: Social factors mainly include changing needs of people of the country or changes occur in lifestyle, demographic and social mobility. These changes may be either opportunity or threat for banking sectors. There are several people of UK which are very conscious about their future and want to invest in things. For that they take loans and other financial services to bank. Royal bank of Scotland is one of the main and popular bank from which people prefer to take financial services. It increases brand of the bank. So, it can be said that by more focusing on quality of services, it can take competitive advantages opportunity by satisfying this factor. It is also focusing on providing pension services to age customers. It is growth driver for this company.

Technological: It is stated that banking industry is one of the industry which has reached a tipping point where it makes an effective use of digital capabilities and internet. Internet and artificial intelligence has made Royal bank of Scotland able to make innovative services and increase customers' satisfaction. The rise of advanced technology like agile, FinTechs makes baking sector and RBS able to enter in financial markets with simple and easy manner. So, in this context, it can be said that advanced and this disruptive technology has several positive impacts on the performance of this bank. It is also stated that RBS continues to invest in mobile technology as well as differentiate their offerings. So, it can be said that technological factors can give opportunities to RBS of taking competitive advantages and improving brand image.

Legal: It is stated that royal bank of Scotland is defending many cases in the US in which many cases are related to mortgage. Many of the case including advanced talks with the federal housing finance agency. There are several conduct changes and litigation which are impacting performance and operations of Royal bank of Scotland. Rather, all these cases, it is also important for this bank to follow employment, health and safety and data protection law for protecting themselves against any lawsuit and maintaining a strong image in the eyes of customers. So, it can be said that some laws are impacting it in a negative manner (Segura, Morales and Somolinos, 2018).

Environmental: There are several factors which are affecting environment and for which all sectors of companies required to follow guidelines and environmental laws. In the context of Royal bank of Scotland it is stated that it is recognizing current trends in consumers and demanding businesses to decrease their carbon footprint, This initiation is impacting on its performance in a positive manner. It has also committed to reduce its own carbon foot print by purchasing renewable electricity.

So, from the above analysis, it can be said that there are several factors which can give opportunities to RBS and some can create problems. So, it is important for RBS to make changes in policies and strategies accordingly and take all opportunities.

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

Strategic Capabilities:

Banking sector is increasing day by day and with the help of technology it is increasing competition as well. So, it is important for RBS to analyse its own strengths and those factors which can help it in taking competitive advantages. With the help of Value chain and VRIO analysis, it analysis internal factors such as:

a) VRIO analysis

All these resources are being discussed below in a detailer manner

Valuable

There are some resources of RBS who has value than other banks and help its out in taking external opportunities. One of the most important valuable asset and resource of RBS is its skilled workforce which are highly trained and helps it in increasing productivity. Other valuable resource is its distribution network. Patents are also valuable asset of Royal bank of Scotland.

Rare

It is stated that financial resources of this bank are rare because strong financial resources helps company in investing technology and all those things by which it can take competitive advantages. There are only few banks who have effective financial resources. Skilled workforce of this back is also found rare and it is one of the main asset of the company by which it increases its productivity. Patents of RBS is also rare because these patents are not available easily as well as not possessed by its competitors (Smith, 2017).

Imitable

Distribution network of RBS is very effective and it is not possible for other banks and competitors to have same distribution network because it is costly. Rather, distribution channel it has strong financial resources which can not be imitated by competitors. If other banks and competitors of RBS do, then they will have to invest more in it which can increase their overall operational cost and minimize profit margin. In the context of employees it can be said that it is imitable as other companies can hire employees from RBS by providing them effective working environment and better pay than this bank.

Organization

In this context, it can be said that Royal bank of Scotland is organized to capture value. The main strength of this organization is it has ability to use its resources and invest amount in the right place for taking opportunities. Patent of this company is not well organized. But distribution network which is very effective, is organized in an efficient manner. These network is being used by this bank to reach out its potential customers. This well organized distribution channel has proven the best source of sustained competitive advantages (Vargas-Hernández and Garcia, 2019).

Resources

There are several ways by which company can identify its own strengths and weaknesses by which it can make a strong position in the market. With the help of SWOT analysis tool, Royal Bank of Scotland analyse its internal factors such as:

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

1. One of the main strength of RBS is it makes an effective use of technology which helps it out in improving infrastructure and providing innovative services and products.
2. It is considered one of the biggest banks in the world as it is having approximate 140,000 employees globally (Swain and Samantray, 2019).
3. It is taking active participation in sponsoring sports events and teams.

Weaknesses

1. Lack of penetration in emerging economies such as China and India.
2. It has low level of current assets as compared to current liabilities which can creates several problems related to liquidity in its operations.

Opportunities

1. It has opportunities of global expansion due to its investment in technology and excellent services.
2. It can also get opportunity of merger and acquisition of smaller institution.

Threats

1. There are several banks in UK which are increasing competition.
2. Changing policies and global financial crisis is other threat for RBS (Royal bank of Scotland, SWOT Analysis, 2018).

Strategic Plan

Royal Bank of Scotland wants to expand its business and take competitive advantages. Vision of this bank is to serve customers in an efficient manner and improve quality on continuous basis for satisfying changing needs of customers. This bank serve approximate 19 million customers. Mission of this bank is to become the first choice of customers, businesses and institution by providing them excellent financial services. For this it will analysis strategies in order to select the best one. All strategies are being discussed below:

Competitive Strategy

Porter's generic strategy which provide a framework to business evaluate competitive advantage in the market and accordingly adopt effective strategy. This allows business to sustain for long term in the market and generating profit. In this there are three types of strategy that is available which is as follows :-

Cost leadership - here, the strategy focusses on setting low cost of products or services to gain competitive advantage. through this, it becomes easy to attract more customers and compete in industry for long term. However, sources of cost depend on structure of industry (Cotterill, 2019).

Differentiation - it is a strategy where company enter in the market by differentiating their products and services. Here, products are differentiated on basis of its features, attributes, customer needs, etc. Moreover, product is placed at premium price.

Focus - as name depicts the strategy focuses on narrowing choice of customers in the industry. In this both above strategies are followed that is as mentioned below:-

The first is cost focus allows firm to differentiate product on basis of cost in the industry. It enables in targeting the market. Furthermore, in differentiation firm focus on differentiating products in target market. Therefore, in both strategy the emphasis is on target market by implementing cost and differentiation strategy. This is useful in attracting customers and gaining competitive advantage.

Basically, this type of strategy is applied to gain competitive advantage in target market. Through that, it becomes easy for firm to analyse whether they will be able to gain competitive advantage or not (Danso and et.al., 2019).

Focus Strategies

It is a type of strategy which is followed by company to enter in new market. Here, Ansoff matrix is applied. The matrix is a framework that allow organization to do strategic planning and identify opportunities to enter in market. In this four types are included that are :

Market penetration - it is a strategy in which firm focus on increasing existing product sales in existing market. RBS perform differentiated business activities to increase market share and gain more profit and revenue. Basically, the strategy is applied either by decreasing price, doing effective promotion, etc. this enable in increase customer base.

Market development - this is a strategy where a firm enter in new market with existing products. They identify new market and customer needs and then enter there. This type of strategy is followed to expand business operations. Here, market development is done either in domestic and foreign market. The demographic and geographic segmentation is done for identifying target market.

Product development - in this strategy the company develop a new product in exiting market to fulfil needs of customers. This is done to attract more customers and increase profits. for this R&D is done to identify needs. However, new product is developed by RBS in changing its features, attributes, etc. or by acquiring competitor product (Dawes, 2018).

Diversification - this strategy is integration of both market and product development. Here, a firm enter in new market with new product. The strategy consists of high risk as it can led to failure of new product in that market. There are two types of diversification that are related and unrelated. The main focus of business behind this strategy is to expand in other markets and attract more customers. Furthermore, it enables in generating awareness about product in the market.

Value Chain Analysis

There are 2 types of activities of RBS such as primary and secondary. It includes all those functions and activities which helps it out in accomplishing its goals such as:

Primary activities: All these activities are related to producing and selling its products to potential and target customers.

1. Inbound logistic: In this activity, bank mainly focuses on improving relations with suppliers and their customers because with their support only it can store, receive and distribute its services and products. For increasing effectiveness of this activity, it requires transforming raw materials into finished products effectively.

2. Operations: After getting materials for providing services to customers' from intermediates like post letter service. It is important for transforming it into final products. Some examples and resources by which it increases as well as complete this activity include: packing, machining and testing.

3. Outbound logistic: It includes those activities by which company deliver products and services to customers. It includes; Material handling, scheduling, warehousing, transporting and delivering products to destination. For increasing effectiveness of this activity, it is important for RBS to manage it in a timely manner. Timely management can have positive impacts on quality and performance.

4. Marketing & sales: It includes all those activities by which bank make aware to its customers about effectiveness and characteristics of its products and services. For example: advertising, promotion of services, maintaining relation with distribution channels etc. These activities help it out in developing brand equity and stand out from the competition (Nor and et.al., 2019).

5. Services: In this activity, RBS perform pre-sale and post sales activities which increases customers loyalty. When bank provide post sale services then it does not only increase customers loyalty but also retain them with the company for the long run.

Secondary activities: It is considered as supportive activities which include:

1. Infrastructure: It includes those activities which helps it out in improving quality of products and services such as financing, quality management, accounting etc.

2. HRM: It is considered supportive activity but helps it out in getting effective workforce which is the main key of the success. HRM include: recruitment, selection, training, rewarding and other workforce management activities.

3. Technology development: There are several sectors who are making an effective use of technology. Banking sector is one of them. This activity of RBS include: technology integration in marketing, distribution and production. Automation software and product design research are some examples of it.

4. Procurement: It includes all those activities or materials which help it out in changing raw materials in finished products. Raw material, machinery, HR and other tools are examples of it.

Also Read :- Business Environment and its Related Aspects

Recommendation of The Best Strategy

In order to grow and develop in the market and to sustain for long term Royal bank of Scotland needs to follow and develop a specific strategy. This is because it will allow them to compete in the market and generate more revenue. Thus, Royal bank of Scotland can focus on market development strategy. Here, they can enter in new market such as countries of Europe and other cities of UK. Through this, they will be able to attract new customers and provide banking services in that markets. Moreover, by providing financial services more profits will be gained. However, Royal Bank of Scotland will be able to increase customers base in those markets. Also, as bank is already having a strong brand name it will be easy to attract customers.

CONCLUSION

From the above study, it has been summarized that business strategies played a vital role for banking sector as it helped them in accomplishing their goals. There are several factors involved in internal and external business environment which has both positive and negative impacts on the performance and growth of an organization. With the help of PESTLE, Porter's 5 forces and SWOT analysis, banking sector and all banks analyse all factors and their impacts for making changes in its own strategies and increasing strengths accordingly. With the help of SWOT analysis, organization analysis internal factors like its own strengths and weaknesses in order to decrease weaknesses and increasing strengths. Porter's 5 forces analysis also helped bank in identifying intensity of competition in the banking industry for taking advantages of competition.This study has also shown effectiveness of focus and competitive strategies. Different competitive strategies like cost leadership and differentiation has both positive and negative impacts and by analysing in an efficient manner, company take decision to select the best one.

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