The Business Operations of Robin Hood and the Merrymen
The Business Operations of Robin Hood and the Merrymen
Robin and the Merrymen are in business to steal from the rich and give to the poor. The organization had begun as a personal interest to Robin, and has grown with allies and new recruits to become a very large organization. Robin is the head of all operations with few delegates who have their own specific duties.
The Merrymen’s dilemma is that they must overcome their largest competitor, the Sheriff, who is growing stronger and becoming better organized. The Sheriff has gained the money and men and is beginning to cause problems for the Merrymen, looking for their weaknesses. The Merrymen have several strategy options in order to triumph over the Sheriff. There are three approaches we will focus on to find a strategy to overcome the Sheriff and his band. First, Robin and the Merrymen can find ways to improve their internal operations in order to compete. By finding internal strengths and weaknesses the Merrymen can capitalize on their strengths and improve their weaknesses. Second, the Merrymen can focus externally on market opportunities, competitive advantages, consumer expectations, competitor’s actions, and technological advances. Third, Robin could chose to mix internal and external focus and perform a SWOT analysis to find the complete standing of the Merrymen compared with their competitors.
Focusing internally, the Merrymen could change their business strategy in order to end competition with the Sheriff before they are completely defeated. Secondly, with an external focus, Robin could kill the Sheriff. But, Robin believes this would not completely solve the problem. Third, they could join an alliance by helping the barons in their goal to free King Richard the Lionheart. This would save the Merrymen from the Sheriff’s increasing power, but is also a risky choice.
There are several issues that the Merrymen must consider while striving to compete with the Sheriff. The size of the band of Merrymen is becoming too large for the economic resources available. Robin is feeling like he is not in touch with his employees because of the increasing size of the band. Vigilance is in decline and discipline is becoming hard to enforce. Robin needs to decide whether or not to change the business strategy of the band from confiscation of goods from the rich to...