In the realm of business, the concept of Strategic Business Units (SBUs) is a game-changer. This idea, simple yet revolutionary, allows large corporations to break down their operations into smaller, more manageable pieces. These pieces, or SBUs, essentially function as independent businesses, each with its vision, mission, and strategic objectives.
A good example of a Strategic Business Unit Structure can be – A Multinational Conglomerate like Unilever. As a parent company, it has divided its operations into various SBUs, each focused on a particular line of products. One SBU might handle personal care products, another for foods and refreshments, and yet another for home care products. This structure enables each SBU to focus on its market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics, while still aligning with the broader corporate strategy of Unilever.
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What is the Definition of Strategic Business Units?
Strategic Business Units, or SBUs, can be best described as semi-autonomous divisions within a larger corporation. They operate independently, possessing their unique business strategies, resources, and objectives, but aligning with the overarching corporate mission and vision.
Each SBU is designed to deliver specific results, such as increasing market share or improving product quality. By breaking the company into smaller pieces each as a separate business entity, decision-makers can better analyze the performance of each business unit and take quick corrective action if needed. SBUs are typically organized around industry segments, customer segments, products, services, or geographical regions.
Types of Strategic Business Units
1) Stars
Stars are SBUs that generate high returns on their resources, and have the potential to grow in a high-growth market and become industry leaders. These units need continuous investments to maximize their growth potential and remain competitive.
2) Cash Cows
Cash cows are SBUs that generate large amounts of cash but have a low potential for future growth. These businesses may require limited investments to maintain their current market position. Cash cows are crucial for allocating resources to other business units. They generate more cash than required and stars often become cash cows when high-growth markets reach maturity and slow down.
3) Question Marks
Question marks are SBUs that have high growth potential but currently generate losses. These units need to be monitored closely and require significant monetary investment to realize their growth potential. Developing such strategic business units (SBUs) often demands substantial investment, typically sourced from profitable ventures like cash cows. Organizations often face challenges in determining whether to invest in these businesses or discontinue them.
4) Dogs
Dogs are SBUs that generate low returns on their resources and have no potential for future growth. These businesses may need to be restructured or even closed down. Dogs have limited potential for success or financial gain and becoming cash cows, let alone achieving stardom and becoming a star.
Characteristics of a Strategic Business Unit (SBU)
1) Independent Operation, Mission, Objectives, and Decision-Making Process
Every Strategic Business Unit operates independently as a completely separate business with its own defined mission and objectives. This autonomy allows each SBU to tailor its decision-making process to its specific market conditions and strategic goals, promoting agility and responsiveness to market dynamics.
2) Own Set of Competitors & Customers
Each SBU has its own set of competitors in its specific market or industry segment. This allows for a more focused competitive analysis, enabling the SBU to develop strategies that directly address its unique competitive landscape. SBUs do not target the same customers, instead, they target their customer segment.
3) Autonomy from Other Company Businesses
Despite being part of a larger corporation, each SBU operates autonomously by having its business unit strategy. This separation from other company businesses allows the SBU to focus on its strategic objectives without being influenced by the strategies or performance of other units.
4) Distinct Business Strategies and Objectives
Every SBU develops its business strategies and objectives, tailored to meet the unique needs of its market segment or product line. These strategies are designed to leverage the SBU’s strengths and opportunities in its specific market environment.
5) Responsibility for Their Own Profitability
Each SBU is responsible for its profitability. The performance of the SBU is judged based on its ability to generate profits and deliver returns on the resources allocated to it. SBUs need to constantly evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations to maximize profitability and achieve growth objectives.
6) Alignment with Overall Corporate Vision
Despite their autonomy, all SBUs align their strategies and objectives with the overall corporate vision and mission. This ensures that the actions of each SBU contribute towards achieving the broader corporate goals.
7) Reporting Structure to the Headquarters
Every SBU maintains a reporting structure to the corporate headquarters. This allows for regular performance evaluation and resource allocation decisions, ensuring that the SBU’s actions remain aligned with the corporate strategy.
Structure of a Strategic Business Unit
An SBU typically enjoys a separate and distinct business identity and is often structured as an independent business or a separate legal entity within the parent organization. It has its mission, objectives, strategies, resources, products, customer base, competitors, operations, and management.
A SBU should also have sufficient autonomy to be able to manage its human resource functions and activities. Some of the structural elements of SBUs are-
- SBU Manager or President: The SBU Manager or President holds a pivotal role in the SBU structure. They bear the responsibility of overseeing the entire unit, making crucial decisions, and ensuring that the strategic plans align with the broader objectives of the parent organization. The SBU Manager essentially acts as the CEO of the independent business, forging its direction and future.
- Functional Departments: Functional Departments within an SBU are specialized teams focused on key business areas such as Marketing, Sales, Finance, Human Resources, and Operations. Each department is essential in carrying out the strategic objectives of the SBU. They function interdependently, ensuring that all aspects of the business unit operate smoothly and effectively.
- Teams or Divisions: Teams or Divisions within an SBU are typically formed based on product lines, customer segments, or geographical markets. They are tasked with executing the strategies defined by the functional departments. Each team or division has a specific role and works collectively towards achieving the unit’s strategic goals, contributing to the overall success of the SBU.
Why Big Businesses Need Strategic Business Units
Strategic Business Units (SBUs) serve a critical need within larger organizations. They are essentially mini-companies within a larger corporation, each with its targets and strategies. These units allow the parent company to diversify its resources and efforts effectively, enabling it to penetrate various market segments without overstretching its capabilities.
By creating SBUs, companies can foster innovation and agility within their operations. Each unit can independently monitor their market, adapt to changes, and respond swiftly to competitive threats. This level of autonomy often leads to better decision-making and improved outcomes, as each SBU can focus on its unique objectives without being encumbered by the broader concerns of the parent organization.
Some of the reasons behind having SBUs are:
- Enhances organizational focus
- Facilitates risk management
- Increases flexibility and responsiveness
- Promotes innovation and creativity
- Ensures effective resource allocation
- Helps in better customer targeting
- Allows for specialization, etc
How SBUs Operate Autonomously
SBUs are typically managed and staffed separately from the rest of the organization. They have their hierarchy, teams, budgets, processes, and systems. This autonomy helps them to focus on their specific goals without being constrained by the interests of other business units or departments within the company.
The unit is responsible for developing its strategies, objectives, and tactics that it believes will drive the best results. They can also define their customer segmentation, as well as create and test new products or services tailored to a specific audience. A few key things to pay heed to are:
1) Responsibilities of an SBU
A Strategic Business Unit (SBU) carries several responsibilities, some of which include setting its own strategic goals, creating a comprehensive business plan, and generating profits. An SBU’s primary responsibility is to perform effectively and contribute to the overall success of the parent organization. It oversees its own strategic planning, marketing, sales, and finance functions, ensuring they align with the unit’s objectives and the larger corporate goals.
2) Product and Service Management
In the sphere of product and service management, an SBU takes full control. It is responsible for the lifecycle management of its products or services. This involves planning, forecasting, and production or service delivery, along with the marketing of new and existing products. Moreover, an SBU must continuously evaluate the performance of its offerings, making necessary adjustments to maximize profitability and satisfy customer needs.
3) Market Research and Consumer Behavior Analysis
An SBU also assumes the role of conducting thorough research of a business target market. This research is pivotal in understanding market trends, identifying opportunities, and staying competitive in a particular business category. Moreover, analyzing consumer behavior is a key aspect of this research. By understanding how consumers make purchasing decisions, what influences their choices, and their response to marketing strategies, an SBU can better tailor its offerings and marketing efforts to meet consumer needs and preferences. This, in turn, drives sales and increases market share.
4) Resource Management within an SBU
A Strategic Business Unit (SBU) is pivotal in budget allocation, ensuring fiscal resources are utilized effectively for maximum return on investment. It also oversees human resource management operations, fostering a productive work environment that motivates employees to meet the unit’s business strategy and objectives. Additionally, an SBU maintains robust relationships with suppliers and partners, critical for successful business operations and mutual growth.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Better focus on a particular market and customer segment
- Increased responsiveness to market changes
- Enhanced coordination of activities
- Effective use of resources
- Improved accountability and performance measurement
Disadvantages
- Potential for internal competition
- Risk of creating silos and hindering collaboration
- High setup and operational costs
- Challenges in maintaining consistency in overall corporate strategy
- Difficulty in managing diverse SBUs
Examples
1) Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft is a prime example of an organization that has embraced the SBU framework. They have established a range of SBUs, each with its own distinct leadership and dedicated budget. These units include Windows & Windows Live Division, Online Services Division, Microsoft Business Division, Server and Tools, and Entertainment and Devices Division.
2) Sony Corporation
Sony is another well-known company that has employed the SBU model. The organization comprises several SBUs, from its home entertainment and gaming divisions to the Professional Solutions group, and the Mobile Communications group. Overseeing these units is Sony’s Corporate Executive Board which monitors performance and ensures strategic alignment with corporate objectives.
3) General Electric Company
General Electric (GE) has divided its operations into several SBUs. These include the Power and water, Oil and gas, Healthcare, Aviation, and Transportation divisions. Each of these units is responsible for setting its own goals and strategies within the framework established by corporate executives.
FAQs
Q. What are 4 strategic business units?
Four strategic business units commonly used by organizations are Star, Cash Cows, Dogs, and Question Marks.
Q. What is the role of SBUs inefficient strategic business management?
SBUs play an important role in enabling organizations to focus their efforts on particular markets, customer segments, and business categories through different business divisions of a parent business. By segmenting operations into SBUs, companies can create flexible and agile strategies tailored to their specific needs and objectives. This enables them to respond quickly to market trends, identify profitable opportunities, and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Q. What are the benefits of implementing SBUs?
The implementation of strategic business units can have several positive effects. By separating operations into distinct divisions, organizations can streamline their processes and focus on particular markets and customer segments. This can help them better understand the needs of their customers, develop effective marketing strategies, and achieve greater operational efficiency. Additionally, by delegating strategic management to each SBU, companies can ensure that every business division is working towards their parent company’s larger goal of achieving profitable business growth.
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Dear Sir/Madam
I work in a company which based on produce multi solution, so we have no exact physical products. Is this method work for us? (SBU)
Yours faithfully
Soheil.N
Yes. This method can work for you. At least in the accounting part, you need to take the products as separate. This can tell you where each and every product is headed. In the sales part, you need to keep them together so that you have economies of scale. That is, your single executive can work towards 10 different products, but in accounting and planning, each of your product should be separate.
Implementing such a organizational chart is not as easy as it seems. I tried in one company and we were completely unsuccessful ! :-(
YES I AM NEEDED IN MARKETING FAINANCE INFORMATION. SO INFORMATION GIVE TO THE DALY ACTIVITY AND DAILY NEWS AND IMPLEMETINTION IS IMPORTNT SIR THAN I AM TAKINIG COMPANY IN HUL PRODUCTS AND IM UN SUCCEFUL OF THESE WORK,,,,,, ,,,,
Hello,
How SBU can be constructive for the business in terms of escalating the market coverage, risk aversion and eventually profit maximization?
Hello. I would like to take a simple example of Google itself. Why does google have separate SBU’s for gmail, search and google drive? These products do not belong to the same business unit. Because the functionality, and the resources shared in these units are different. Hence SBU’s are formed so that the shared resources are used in optimum manner. Similarly, because you can have a separate marketing plan for each of the SBU, the implementation is better with better market coverage. When talking of risk aversion, volkswagen was in a controversy recently for gas emissions. However, this controversy did not affect Skoda which is a different SBU in the organization. And lastly, because the SBU’s are independent with independent goals, they work more efficiently, and thereby profit is simpler and easier to calculate and target.