Part 1: Answer the following prompt below
From a long-term strategic standpoint, explain the core and distinctive competencies from either a previous or current workplace of your choosing. Specifically describe the organizations resources and capabilities and how they align with the current strategy. Is their internal environment strong enough to continue to compete within the market?
PART 2: Reply with a small parapgrah to the post below.
Please post your thoughts and answers based on personal and/or professional experience, textbook and course materials, and academic research. State the points from their response, which you agree or disagree, as well as your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.
Post The company I have chosen to discuss in this week’s discussion is Fanatics. Although I only worked at Fanatics for a short period, I would like to reflect on its core and distinctive competencies because out of all the companies I have worked for, it’s left a very positive impression on me. Fanatics is a one-stop sports shop for apparel and other sports-related merchandise. Fanatics prides itself in being relentless to fans and encompasses this through its mission and vision statements:
Mission Statement: We amplify pride and create connections for all fans.
Vision Statement: Our vision with championship-caliber excellence, fueled by a passion of our own.
Fanatics Core Competencies
Fanatics was founded in 1995, in Jacksonville, FL. I worked there in 2015, so, it was still relatively new. Being that I was working in the founding city and state of the company, there was certain morale there that could not be matched. Core competencies usually come from higher up, then trickle down to the end-users. If the internal activity in the company is that which facilitates positivity, leadership, and drive, in my opinion, the company is doing great. A few of Fanatics’ core competencies that strengthened the company from the inside out were motivational support, fostering teamwork, managing performance and change, and an open line of communication. Working for Fanatics, I always felt like I was being pushed to be greater, even outside the company.
Fanatics Distinctive Competencies
Fanatics’ distinctive competencies are to be different from competitors, provide loyalty to its customers, and be the best cost provider. To increase its competitive advantage, Fanatics follows a differentiation strategy. They offer limited series of items that customers can only find on its sites and stores. “If retailers cant offer products or services that consumers wont find on marketplaces like Amazon or Alibaba, theyll struggle to stand out online” (Harvey, para 1). Fanatics has been able to gain a loyal customer base by providing them with merchandise that can’t be found anywhere else. Fanatics also provides customers with the option to buy replica jerseys that are just as high quality as authentic jerseys at competitive prices. I have seen firsthand how loyal fanatics is to its customer. When I worked there, a customer contacted the call center because the jersey that he ordered was running behind schedule. He was having a funeral for his son, and he planned to bury his son in his favorite player’s jersey. Fanatics waived the cost to overnight the jersey to the customer so it would get to him on time. Customer interaction like this is what sets other companies apart.
Harvey, Ellen. (2021) Fanatics Founder: Differentiation Will Make or Break Retailers’ Futures. Sidecar, (https://discover.getsidecar.com/fanatics-founder-differentiation-make-retailers-futures/
