Description of the ModelThe General Electric Company, with the aid of the Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey and Company, pioneered the nine cell strategic business screen illustrated here. The circle on the matrix represents your enterprise. Both axes are divided into three segments, yielding nine cells. The nine cells are grouped into three zones:

The Green Zone consists of the three cells in the upper left corner. If your enterprise falls in this zone you are in a favorable position with relatively attractive growth opportunities. This indicates a "green light" to invest in this product/service.

The Yellow Zone consists of the three diagonal cells from the lower left to the upper right. A position in the yellow zone is viewed as having medium attractiveness. Management must therefore exercise caution when making additional investments in this product/service. The suggested strategy is to seek to maintain share rather than growing or reducing share.

The Red Zone consists of the three cells in the lower right corner. A position in the red zone is not attractive. The suggested strategy is that management should begin to make plans to exit the industry.

Characterize Your EnterpriseThe vertical axis represents the industry attractiveness. The expert system will position your enterprise on the chart based upon your description of:

bargaining power of the buyers bargaining power of the suppliers internal rivalry the threat of new entrants

the threat of substitutes

The horizontal axis represents the firm's competitive strength or ability to compete in the industry. It includes an analysis of:

the value and quality of the offering market share staying power experience

You can trace through the supporting analysis and its conclusions, adjusting your input until you are satisfied your description accurately characterizes your enterprise.

Analysis of Your Enterprise Position

High AttractivenessStrong Competitive PositionThe strategy advice for this cell is to invest for growth. Consider the following strategies:

provide maximum investment

diversify

consolidate your position to focus your resources

accept moderate near-term profits to build share

High AttractivenessAverage Competitive PositionThe strategy advice for this cell is to invest for growth. Consider the following strategies:

build selectively on strength

define the implications of challenging for market leadership

fill weaknesses to avoid vulnerability

High AttractivenessWeak Competitive PositionThe strategy advice for this cell is to opportunistically invest for earnings. However, if you can't strengthen your enterprise you should exit the market. Consider the following strategies:

ride with the market growth

seek niches or specialization

seek an opportunity to increase strength through acquisition

Medium AttractivenessStrong Competitive PositionThe strategy advice for this cell is to selectively invest for growth. Consider the following strategies:

invest heavily in selected segments,

establish a ceiling for the market share you wish to achieve

seek attractive new segments to apply strengths

Medium AttractivenessAverage Competitive PositionThe strategy advice for this cell is to selectively invest for earnings. Consider the following strategies:

segment the market to find a more attractive position

make contingency plans to protect your vulnerable position

Medium AttractivenessWeak Competitive PositionThe strategy advice for this cell is to preserve for harvest. Consider the following strategies:

act to preserve or boost cash flow as you exit the business

seek an opportunistic sale

seek a way to increase your strengths

Low AttractivenessStrong Competitive PositionThe strategy advice for this cell is to selectively invest for earnings. Consider the following strategies:

defend strengths

shift resources to attractive segments

examine ways to revitalize the industry

time your exit by monitoring for harvest or divestment timing

Low AttractivenessAverage Competitive PositionThe strategy advice for this cell is to restructure, harvest or divest. Consider the following strategies:

make only essential commitments

prepare to divest

shift resources to a more attractive segment

Low AttractivenessWeak Competitive PositionThe advice for this cell is to harvest or divest. You should exit the market or prune the product line.