Prudential Plc's Strategic Management: UK & Europe Analysis Report

This report provides a comprehensive strategic analysis of Prudential UK & Europe, a financial services group. It begins with an introduction to Prudential and the scope of the analysis. The report then examines the company's strategic resources and capabilities, highlighting its tech-friendly website and flexible services. It discusses Prudential's differentiation strategies, focusing on its ability to address the life and pension needs of its target demographic. A SWOT analysis is presented, evaluating the company's strengths (strong brand image, advanced technical features), weaknesses (low advertising, lack of consumer recognition), opportunities (global expansion, innovative services), and threats (competition). A value chain analysis assesses the company's activities and value, emphasizing its competent staff, effective marketing, and quick customer responses. The report concludes by summarizing the effectiveness of Prudential's strategies and suggesting areas for improvement, such as adding more innovative services. The report utilizes various models to provide a comprehensive understanding of Prudential's strategic positioning in the market.

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Strategic Management

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Strategy Analysis.............................................................................................................................3
Strategic Resources and Capabilities...........................................................................................3
Differentiation..............................................................................................................................3
SWOT Analysis...........................................................................................................................4
Value Chain Analysis..................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
Prudential Plc is a financial service group that operates internationally (Prudential, 2016).
For this report, Prudential UK & Europe has been selected to analyze its strategies. For the
strategy analysis, different concepts and models like SWOT analysis and value chain analysis
will be used. It will help to cover the key elements of the strategies used by Prudential UK & E.
Strategy Analysis
Prudential UK & Europe offers relentless financial services to the age cohort. Under
these services, investment, pensions, funds, insurance (car and travel) etc are offered to the
customers (Prudential, 2016).
Strategic Resources and Capabilities
Prudential UK & Europe has strategic resources and capabilities that support the
execution of its strategies aimed to ensure the fulfillment of life and pension needs of cohort
group (Prudential, 2016). These are as below:
Tech friendly website: The official website of the organization is technologically proven
and advanced. It supports the customers to even arrange face to face meetings with the personnel
to decide what they want to do with their money. There is also “calculate your income” option
given on the website that helps by using information like value of pension pot and income. There
are also income tax calculator and tax relief calculator. These tools are useful for the people to
understand about their income tax.
Flexible Resources: The firm also provides flexible services with the help of its
capabilities. Like, by utilizing the “MyPru” service, the people can get information about their
product details, personal data and mail safe online messages (Prudential, 2016).
Differentiation
Prudential UK & Europe also follows differentiation that helps it to address the life and
pension requirements of the cohort group. The technological features of the company services
and products are also based on innovation. It makes the services user friendly, flexibility and

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accessible for the target group to which it serves in UK and Europe (Partridge& Hunt, 2010).The
company offers assistance to the old age people in terms of their retirement planning, retirement
job etc. it helps the customers to use their money in right directions and live with proud and
respect even after the retirement.
SWOT Analysis
SWOT analysis of Prudential UK & Europe is as below:
Strengths:
Brand Image: The Company has a strong brand image due to its wide assortment of
financial services and products.
Technical features: the technical features of the organization are also advanced, as they
are user friendly and accessible for the customers especially the cohort group.
Weaknesses:
Low Level of Advertising: The investment into advertising strategies is low as compared
to other organizations.
Lack of Consumer recognition: There is also lack of consumer recognition due to
different corporate names of the life insurance company.
Opportunities:
Global expansion: The organization could expand its business globally into Asian
countries, where the need of pension programs is higher due to higher population.
Innovative services: The organization could add more products and services to its
current brand assortment to cater the needs of cohort age group more effectively
(Dawson&Andriopoulos, 2014).
Threats:
Competition: The rising competition in the life insurance industry is posing threat to
current market position of Prudential UK & Europe.
Value Chain Analysis
Activity Analysis: As per the value chain analysis, the company has a strong and
competent staff. It hires efficient people that can fulfill the life and pension needs of the clients

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effectively. The marketing and operational practices of the organization are also effective due to
which it is the leading brand worldwide (Value Chain Analysis, 2016).
Value Analysis: The Company provides up-to-date solutions to the clients by guiding
them to invest their money in a right direction. Quick and customized response is provided to the
clients about their queries and product related questions. It helps the customers to get value for
their invested money and valuable time. Each query by the customers is answered by the
knowledgeable personnel. Efficient responses are provided to the clients about their queries. For
example, by using MyPru, customers can get idea about their personnel details, value of policy,
policy details, payment information at any time etc. So, it is convenient and added value for the
customers. By using the official website of the company, the customers can get idea about
retirement planning, ideal retirement job etc (Thompson& Martin, 2010).
Evaluation & Planning: The organization effectively evaluates changes and plan for
action by conducting market research, For example, expansion related plans are implemented as
per the market trend and demand.
Conclusion
It can be inferred that strategy used by the Prudential UK & Europe is effective, as it
helps the company to fulfill the pension and life insurance related needs effectively. The strategic
resource and capabilities of the organization are also effective and competent that supports the
business aims and mission. The company should add innovative services and products to its
current list to gain competitive advantage in the market.

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References
Dawson, P. &Andriopoulos, C 2014, Managing Change, Creativity and Innovation.UK: SAGE.
Partridge, L. & Hunt, M.S. (2010).Strategic Management. USA: Select Knowledge Limited.
Prudential 2016, viewed from <https://www.pru.co.uk/contact-a-financial-adviser/> [Accessed
on 24 November 2016].
Thompson, J. & Martin, F 2010, Strategic Management (Awareness and Change). South-
WesternCengage Learning.
Value Chain Analysis 2016, viewed from
<https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_10.htm> [Accessed on 24
November 2016].