Harvard Case - VIKAS AND SAVE: Combining Cause with Commerce
"VIKAS AND SAVE: Combining Cause with Commerce" Harvard business case study is written by Vishal Gupta, K. V. Gopakumar, Kruti Brahmbhatt. It deals with the challenges in the field of Organizational Behavior. The case study is 23 page(s) long and it was first published on : Jun 11, 2020
At Fern Fort University, we recommend Vikas and Save implement a strategic plan to scale their social enterprise model while maintaining their core values of environmental sustainability and community empowerment. This plan should prioritize building a robust organizational structure, fostering a strong organizational culture, and implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy to attract both customers and investors.
2. Background
Vikas and Save is a social enterprise based in India that produces and sells eco-friendly products made by rural women. Founded by two passionate entrepreneurs, the organization aims to address poverty and environmental degradation by providing sustainable livelihoods for women in rural communities. The case study highlights the organization's initial success in establishing a strong brand and achieving positive social impact. However, Vikas and Save faces challenges in scaling its operations, managing its growing team, and securing sustainable funding.
The main protagonists of the case study are:
- Anjali: Co-founder and CEO, passionate about social impact and driven by a strong sense of purpose.
- Rajiv: Co-founder and COO, focused on operational efficiency and financial sustainability.
- The Rural Women: The core of Vikas and Save's model, they are skilled artisans who produce high-quality products while earning a sustainable income.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
To analyze Vikas and Save's situation, we can utilize the SWOT framework:
Strengths:
- Strong Brand: Vikas and Save has established a positive brand image built on ethical sourcing, environmental sustainability, and social impact.
- Unique Product Offering: Their products are high-quality, handcrafted, and appeal to a niche market of environmentally conscious consumers.
- Dedicated Team: The founders and team are driven by a strong social mission and committed to the organization's success.
- Positive Social Impact: Vikas and Save has demonstrably improved the lives of rural women and contributed to environmental sustainability.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Scalability: The current organizational structure and operational processes are not designed for significant growth.
- Financial Sustainability: Vikas and Save relies heavily on grants and donations, making it vulnerable to funding fluctuations.
- Lack of Marketing Expertise: The organization lacks a dedicated marketing team and a comprehensive marketing strategy to reach a wider audience.
- Limited Management Experience: Anjali and Rajiv, while passionate, lack experience in managing a growing organization.
Opportunities:
- Expanding Market Demand: The market for eco-friendly and ethically sourced products is growing rapidly, presenting a significant opportunity for Vikas and Save.
- Access to Funding: Social enterprises are increasingly attracting investment from impact investors and venture capitalists.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with NGOs, retailers, and other organizations can expand reach and market access.
- Technological Advancements: Utilizing technology for online sales, marketing, and supply chain management can enhance efficiency and scalability.
Threats:
- Competition: The market for eco-friendly products is becoming increasingly competitive, with established players and new entrants.
- Economic Volatility: Economic downturns could impact consumer spending and reduce demand for non-essential products.
- Regulatory Changes: Government regulations and policies related to social enterprises and environmental sustainability could create challenges.
- Maintaining Ethical Standards: Scaling operations could put pressure on Vikas and Save to maintain its ethical sourcing and production practices.
4. Recommendations
To address the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities, Vikas and Save should implement the following recommendations:
1. Build a Scalable Organizational Structure:
- Define Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define roles and responsibilities for all team members, including the rural women artisans.
- Develop a Management Team: Recruit experienced professionals with expertise in operations, finance, marketing, and human resources.
- Implement a Performance Management System: Establish clear performance metrics and feedback mechanisms to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
- Invest in Training and Development: Provide training to the team on leadership, management, and relevant skills to support organizational growth.
2. Foster a Strong Organizational Culture:
- Define Core Values: Clearly articulate and communicate Vikas and Save's core values of sustainability, community empowerment, and ethical practices.
- Promote Open Communication: Encourage open communication, feedback, and collaboration across all levels of the organization.
- Recognize and Reward Employee Contributions: Implement a system to recognize and reward employees for their contributions and commitment to the organization's mission.
- Foster a Culture of Innovation: Encourage creativity and experimentation to find new ways to improve products, processes, and impact.
3. Implement a Comprehensive Marketing Strategy:
- Develop a Target Audience Profile: Identify the specific segments of consumers who are most likely to purchase Vikas and Save's products.
- Leverage Digital Marketing Channels: Utilize social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and online advertising to reach a wider audience.
- Build Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with retailers, NGOs, and other organizations to expand market reach and brand awareness.
- Develop a Content Marketing Strategy: Create engaging content that highlights the social impact, environmental benefits, and unique craftsmanship of Vikas and Save's products.
4. Secure Sustainable Funding:
- Develop a Business Plan: Create a comprehensive business plan that outlines Vikas and Save's financial projections, growth strategy, and funding requirements.
- Explore Impact Investment Opportunities: Connect with impact investors and venture capitalists who are interested in supporting social enterprises with a strong social and environmental impact.
- Diversify Funding Sources: Explore alternative funding sources such as grants, social impact bonds, and crowdfunding.
- Implement a Cost-Effective Operations Strategy: Optimize production processes, reduce waste, and implement cost-saving measures to enhance financial sustainability.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on a thorough analysis of Vikas and Save's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. They are aligned with the organization's core competencies and mission, considering the needs of both external customers and internal clients. The recommendations also take into account the competitive landscape and the growing demand for sustainable and ethical products.
The recommendations are designed to enhance Vikas and Save's financial sustainability and scalability while maintaining its commitment to social impact. The proposed strategies are expected to generate a positive return on investment (ROI) and contribute to the long-term growth and success of the organization.
6. Conclusion
By implementing these recommendations, Vikas and Save can successfully scale its operations, achieve financial sustainability, and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of rural women and the environment. The organization's commitment to its core values, coupled with a strategic approach to growth and innovation, will enable it to become a leading force in the sustainable and ethical product market.
7. Discussion
Alternative options that were not selected include:
- Focusing solely on local markets: This would limit Vikas and Save's growth potential and restrict its ability to reach a wider audience.
- Partnering with a large corporation: While this could provide access to resources and expertise, it could also compromise Vikas and Save's independence and social mission.
- Adopting a purely commercial model: This would prioritize profit over social impact and potentially alienate existing customers and stakeholders.
The key risks associated with the recommended strategy include:
- Competition: The growing market for sustainable products could attract more competitors, potentially impacting Vikas and Save's market share.
- Maintaining ethical standards: Scaling operations could create challenges in maintaining ethical sourcing and production practices.
- Funding challenges: Securing sufficient funding to support growth and expansion could be difficult.
The key assumptions underlying the recommendations are:
- Continued demand for sustainable products: The market for eco-friendly and ethically sourced products will continue to grow.
- Availability of skilled labor: Vikas and Save will be able to recruit and retain skilled workers to support its expansion.
- Access to funding: The organization will be able to secure sufficient funding to implement its growth strategy.
8. Next Steps
To implement the recommendations, Vikas and Save should:
- Develop a detailed implementation plan: This should include timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
- Recruit key personnel: Hire experienced professionals to fill critical roles in management, marketing, and operations.
- Secure initial funding: Seek funding from impact investors, grants, or other sources to support the initial stages of implementation.
- Pilot test new strategies: Implement new marketing campaigns and operational processes on a smaller scale before scaling them up.
- Monitor progress and make adjustments: Regularly track progress towards key performance indicators and make adjustments to the implementation plan as needed.
By taking these steps, Vikas and Save can successfully navigate the challenges of growth and become a leading force in the social enterprise movement.
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Case Description
This case discusses the evolution of VIKAS, from a small non-profit organisation to a cluster of non-profit as well as for-profit organisations, collectively attempting to address the issues of poverty and under-development. This case discusses the factors that influenced the evolution of VIKAS (non-profit organisation) and SAVE (for-profit organisation). The case provides an understanding about the necessity of incorporating a for-profit entity along with a non-profit entity in order to enhance the sustainability and impact of the developmental work carried out by VIKAS. The main questions this case raises are: Is the model of combining cause (developmental work carried out by VIKAS) with commerce (for-profit work done by SAVE) sustainable? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a model? Is this model of organising scalable? Why or why not?
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