IndexQuestion 2Buyer powerRivalry among existing companiesQuestion 3Buyer powerRivalry among existing companiesQuestion 4ThreatsOpportunitiesQuestion 5StrengthsWeaknessesQuestion 6Question 7According to Schilling (2014), the general environment refers to everyone the factors that exist within a society that are capable of influencing the functioning of a company or even the overall outcome and performance of an industry. In the case of Dell Company, two major segments of the environment that would greatly influence its operations in the technology sector include technological factors and demographics of the niche it serves. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay From the 2017 management report, Dell Company is currently on the verge of bringing to market some of the most amazing computing solutions in the world (Form 10-K, 2016). Such efforts have manifested in the company's tireless effort to introduce robust technological gadgets that are increasingly gaining brand recognition in the market. Dell Company continues to research and innovate with the goal of introducing more efficient and easier-to-use computing devices (Form 10-K, 2016). Furthermore, the Company continues to engage in pricing efficiency mechanisms to promote its brand in the market. Therefore, Dell management is aware that technology is the main driver of competition in the industry. Therefore, it is critical for the company to continue to innovate and devise new processes and products that meet and exceed consumers' computing needs (Schilling, 2014). Another environmental segment that would rank high in Dell's company is its market demographics/population. . Some of the important attributes that Dell Company will focus on to better serve its market population will include the geographic distribution of the most loyal brand customers (Schilling, 2014). Furthermore, the firm will take into consideration other attributes such as the age, gender, racial and ethnic composition of its likely customers, their income level, as well as their educational background (Cox, 2015). Therefore, it is essential that Dell management develops a comprehensive geographic profile of different customer categories to help it derive as much information as needed to better serve these segments. Question 2 Porter's Five Forces Model is widely used as a strategic analysis tool by many companies to evaluate their performance relative to the industry and environment in which they operate. This five forces model proposed by Michael Porter includes the power of suppliers, the power of buyers, rivalry between existing firms, the threat of substitutes, and the threat of potential competitors (Johnson, 2014). However, compared to the tech market, it is crowded with different tech players promoting their core portfolio while diversifying their brand to other markets. However, for Dell Company it is mainly about the production of computers (Dell Inc., 2018). Therefore, the two most significant competitive forces that Dell Company should be concerned about should include response to buyer power and rivalry among existing companies in the technology industry. The bargaining power of buyers in the technology market will ultimately determine commodity prices, as well as introduce other dynamics such as the overheads required to meet the consumer's desired quality, as well as taste and preference in their offerings (Johnson, 2014). Therefore, Dell Company continued to work to revitalize its strategiesconsumption to ensure that customers make more purchases of their product than other brands in the market. For example, in 2013 Dell declared its strategy of promoting a sustainable environment through conservation efforts. Therefore, it has continued to design and implement eco-friendly methods to reduce carbon footprint emissions could result from its gadgets, for example, the PC recycling program introduced in 2012 (Form 10-K, 2016). Furthermore, during the same year, Dell decided to join the green movement by adopting an eco-friendly approach in most of its operations. For example, in 2013, Dell Company introduced its first green supply chain, a green energy alternative, and green labeling and packaging methods to comply with general consumer demand for what they define as sustainable businesses around the world (Dell Inc., 2018). Dell Company recognizes consumers as the most important resource to survive and succeed in the marketplace. Therefore, its business ethics strategies and CSR initiatives were aimed at ensuring that customers are more likely to purchase Dell PC products based on the type of mutual relationships the Company seeks to establish with society. Such tactics were ideal for the company to reposition itself and build a stronger reputation with consumers (Cox, 2015). Rivalry among existing companies There are numerous other competitors in the technology market that continue to promote quality and lower prices for brands. Nonetheless, Dell is still cited as very competitive in this market (Form 10-K, 2016). An analysis of some of the strategies that Dell adopts to thrive in the market reveals its strategy of customizing its products to meet the needs of its different users. Unlike competitors, Dell continues to produce computers that support the needs of the most marginalized individuals in society, such as the blind (Dell Inc., 2018). As outlined in the corporate value and objectives, Dell still emphasizes the need to adhere to the code of ethics established within its manufacturing processes. In addition to its sustainability initiatives and CSR strategies, the company continues to upgrade its technology to prepare for tougher competition. For example, in 2014, Dell exemplified its strategy of refining its computers to meet the complexities of e-commerce needs. In 2015, Dell had the highest PC sales with over 40.5 million PCs compared to the previous year with 22.7 million PCs. Sales ranked second behind Lenovo, despite having only a 15% market share by the end of 2014. A likely factor for Dell's PC sales increase in 2015 was due to its stated support for the B2B and B2C needs of the global market (Form 10-K, 2016). Apparently, there are dozens of PC and laptop manufacturers around the world pursuing different niches using different pricing and non-pricing strategies. Such prospects make PCs and laptops a staple product for individuals and businesses. Therefore, companies such as Dell must seek to align their offerings along low-cost strategies to survive competition with the likes of HP and Lenovo who are currently the most dominant brand in the information technology markets (Cox, 2015). Question 3 From question three discussed above , it emerges that the pursuit of purchasing power and rivalry among existing companies are necessary for Dell to survive in the competitive information technology market. Therefore, it will be prudent for Dell executives to take certain actions with the aim of remediating the likely impact created by the two primary forces. For example: Buyer Power Howstrategy for Dell to remedy the bargaining power of buyers, it is important to engage in repositioning strategies in the 4P market. For example, the company should strive to offer exceptional services for consumers, such as energy-efficient computers and overcome supply chain complexities. This means it should pursue company-wide strategies to deliver quality and convenience to strengthen its relationship with customers. Apparently, these are the milestones that the Company continues to achieve to make its brand accessible and attractive to the global technology market (Cox, 2015). For example, in 2014 Dell resorted to using bamboo in its casing instead of Styrofoam. The strategy has been effective in making their laptops waterproof and preventing damage caused by the internal voltage of their laptops. Such strategies should be pursued to gain a more respectable position for one's brand in the market (Dell Inc., 2018). Additionally, Dell should continue to pursue other cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategies to ship its products to consumers and should open up its services to serve other remote locations around the world where its brand continues to see a significant presence. The company should also pursue vigorous marketing and promotion strategies to increase brand recognition and sales in underserved markets such as parts of Africa and the Asian continents and also in other underserved niches, such as youth in developing countries (Form 10-K, 2016). .Rivalry among existing businesses As a strategy for Dell Company to remedy the rivalry it creates with its competitors, it is important for it to undertake differentiation strategies in the markets it participates in (Johnson, 2014). This means that it must differentiate its product offering from other participants/players in the same market. Currently, the information technology market continues to experience declining prices for its gadgets due to the increase in the number of players in the industry (Cox, 2015). Therefore, it will be prudent for Dell Inc. to engage in differentiation strategies aimed at revamping its brand image to overcome the unhealthy cut-throat competition in the market. Therefore, Dell's managers must decide what to offer to the market to stand out from other players. Management should undertake competitive analysis to ascertain the level of rivalry and threat an organization poses to its brand portfolio (Schilling, 2014). The outcome of the competitive analysis process should help the company determine some of the factors that will cause a consumer to give up its product in favor of the competition's. Dell must evaluate the reasons for its profitability in the market. Dell is widely recognized and was awarded in 2013 for its resilient green strategies (Dell Inc., 2018). Such platforms offer some of the stepping stones that Dell can leverage to outperform competitors and stay above and beyond the competition. However, it also needs to come up with other differentiation strategies that will prolong its dominance in the tech market. Question 4ThreatsThe primary threat to Dell Company is intensifying competition in the technology market (Form 10-K, 2016). The main source of competition, in this case, is usually technology. For example, competitors in the market continue to diversify their portfolio to include other smart computing gadgets such as tablets and notebooks. The introduction of these gadgets could hamper the growth and demand of Dell laptops and PCs in the near future. Therefore, it is crucial that the company adapts to changestechnological, otherwise it risks losing its market (Cox, 2015). Dell should also remain vigilant to growing competition and remain open to the possibility of new players taking the market by storm. Additionally, the company should review its pricing strategies and their responsiveness to consumers' varying budgetary needs (Form 10-K, 2016). These goals can be achieved by diversifying your investment portfolio to mitigate the severity of unexpected risks, as well as implementing pricing mix strategies to drive sales and consumer responsiveness to your brand's offerings. Furthermore, Dell should expand its sourcing companies to overcome the portfolio development risk (Cox, 2015). Opportunities Some of the opportunities available to Dell Company to outpace the competition in the information technology market include; pursue growth in foreign markets and expand brand recognition in underserved niches (Form 10-K, 2016). Furthermore, Dell's management may contemplate the need to expand its services to include repair and maintenance or even integrate cloud solutions within its services, to grow competitively in the market (Cox, 2015). The company has several options that it can leverage in various sectors of the global economy, such as education, research, government offices, etc. Furthermore, Dell has demonstrated quality and reliability in its offering, giving it an ideal platform to pursue growth in its most important sectors. established and underdeveloped segments of the market (Schilling, 2014). The company is also financially stable and can pursue merger and acquisition strategies as well as corporate acquisitions to expand in the market. Dell Company's 2016 Form 10(k) Question 5 Strength emphasizes that the firm's strength is exemplified by its effective costing techniques. Dell Inc. also operates an efficient supply chain to support operations within its business cycles, as well as motivate after-sales service strategies for its consumers (Form 10-K, 2016). The company's strength also comes from the use of robust technologies, along with a resourceful staff that helps the company position itself in the technology market. Dell's strength also comes from the brand's growing reputation in the market. For example, the Dell brand is commonly associated with an eco-friendly computing solution which makes it a tough competitor in the market. Its brand is also revered as value and quality, as well as recognizing sustainability. Furthermore, the growth of Dell technology exemplifies its brand value in the market (Dell Inc., 2018). The company also has the ability to customize its design to meet the needs of different classes of computer users. Such innovation was key to its remarkable $40.5 million revenue growth in fiscal 2014/2015; exceeding the 22.7 million dollars recorded in the 2013/2014 period (Form 10-K, 2016). Weaknesses Despite superior competitive strategies, Dell is still present in several regions. For example, Dell products are underserved in some of the potential niches such as Africa and Asia, with a potentially large market for its brand (Form 10-K, 2016). The company also has a narrow portfolio where its revenue depends only on the sale of its PCs and laptops. This could demonstrate the company's inability to innovate and diversify its investment portfolio. Additionally, Dell relies on a single sourcing strategy for raw materials and resources. According to the company's 2016 report, Dell depends on corporate customers, as well as sourcing new products from the market, 2015).