Introduction

In today's rapidly changing business environment, companies need to adapt to stay competitive. One way to do this is by adopting a diversification strategy. Diversification strategy is the process of expanding a company's business operations into new areas, products or services that are different from its current offerings. This strategy can help companies reduce their dependence on a single product or market, and spread their risk across multiple areas.

There are multiple high-quality definitions of diversification strategy. According to the Harvard Business Review, diversification strategy refers to "the corporate strategy of entering into a new market or industry, which the business is not currently in, while also creating a new product for that market." The Financial Times defines diversification as "the process of spreading investments among different asset classes and sectors in order to reduce risk and increase return." In essence, diversification strategy can be viewed as a means of reducing risk by investing in different markets, products or services.

The importance of diversification strategy cannot be overstated in today's business environment. With increased competition, technological advancements and changing consumer behavior, companies need to adapt to stay relevant. Diversification strategy can help companies identify new business opportunities, reduce their dependence on a single product or market, and increase their revenue streams. By diversifying their business operations, companies can also take advantage of economies of scale, reduce their production costs and improve their overall profitability.

In the next sections of this article, we will explore the application of diversification strategy using an engaging case study, the history and founder of the strategy, real-life examples of companies that successfully used it, and how to implement it. We will also discuss the dos and don'ts when considering diversification as a strategy.

Case Study: The Diversification Journey of a Sri Lankan Company

In this section, we will explore a thrilling case study on the diversification journey of a Sri Lankan company, "Laksha Industries" (imaginary). The case study will provide an engaging and comprehensive example of how diversification strategy can be applied in a real-life context.

Laksha Industries is a Sri Lankan manufacturing firm that has been in operation for over 20 years. The company initially started as a small-scale manufacturer of traditional Sri Lankan handicrafts but has now grown to become a well-established brand in the local market. However, with the increasing competition and changing consumer preferences, Laksha Industries found itself struggling to maintain its market share.

Laksha Industries had been solely focused on the production of traditional handicrafts, such as wooden carvings, batik textiles, and woven baskets. The company had a loyal customer base, but was facing challenges in expanding its market reach due to changing consumer behavior and increased competition from cheaper imports.

The company was facing several challenges, including declining sales, increasing production costs, and difficulty in expanding its market reach. The management of Laksha Industries knew they had to take bold steps to stay relevant and maintain their position as a market leader.

After conducting a thorough market analysis, the management of Laksha Industries decided to take a leap of faith and diversify their business. They recognized the potential in the wellness and beauty industry and decided to explore the production of organic skincare and beauty products made from locally sourced natural ingredients.

Laksha Industries invested in new production facilities and hired experienced chemists and skincare experts to develop a range of organic skincare products. The company sourced ingredients from local farmers, such as honey, turmeric, and sandalwood, to create a unique range of products. In addition to organic skincare, the company also diversified into the production of natural cleaning products and herbal teas.

Diversification strategy proved to be a game-changer for Laksha Industries. The company was able to expand its market reach and tap into new revenue streams. By producing organic and natural products, the company was able to position itself as a socially responsible brand and differentiate itself from its competitors. The new business ventures also allowed the company to take advantage of economies of scale and reduce its production costs.

The success story of Laksha Industries is a shining example of how diversification strategy can help companies overcome challenges and explore new opportunities. The company's bold decision to diversify their business paid off, and they are now a leading producer of organic skincare and beauty products in Sri Lanka.

Analysis: Diversification Strategy in Action

In the previous section, we explored the case study of Laksha Industries and how they used diversification strategy to overcome challenges and explore new opportunities. In this section, we will provide a detailed analysis of how diversification strategy was used in the case study.

Diversification strategy is a corporate-level strategy that involves expanding a company's business into new markets or products. This strategy can be either related or unrelated diversification. Related diversification involves expanding into businesses that are related to the company's core business, while unrelated diversification involves expanding into businesses that are unrelated to the company's core business.

In the case of Laksha Industries, the company used unrelated diversification to expand into the wellness and beauty industry. This allowed the company to tap into a new market and explore new revenue streams. The decision to diversify the business was made after conducting a thorough market analysis, which identified the potential in the organic skincare and beauty industry.

To execute the diversification strategy, the company invested in new production facilities and hired experienced chemists and skincare experts to develop a range of organic skincare products. The company also sourced ingredients from local farmers to create a unique range of products. This allowed Laksha Industries to position itself as a socially responsible brand and differentiate itself from its competitors.

One of the key benefits of diversification strategy for Laksha Industries was the ability to reduce its production costs. By diversifying into new businesses, the company was able to take advantage of economies of scale and share resources across its different ventures. This helped the company to improve its overall profitability and reduce its dependence on its core business.

The case study of Laksha Industries provides a compelling example of how diversification strategy can be used to overcome challenges and explore new opportunities. By expanding into the wellness and beauty industry, the company was able to tap into a new market and explore new revenue streams. The key to the success of the diversification strategy was the company's ability to leverage its core competencies and share resources across its different ventures. The benefits of diversification strategy for Laksha Industries included improved profitability, reduced dependence on its core business, and the ability to position itself as a socially responsible brand.

History and Founder of Diversification Strategy

Diversification strategy has a rich history and has become a popular corporate-level strategy due to its potential to provide companies with long-term growth and risk management. The strategy was first introduced by Igor Ansoff, a prominent management thinker, in his 1957 book "Strategies for Diversification".

Ansoff's work has been instrumental in shaping the concept of diversification, and he is widely regarded as the founder of the strategy. In his book, Ansoff proposed four main types of diversification: horizontal, vertical, concentric, and conglomerate.

Source: Wikipedia

Horizontal diversification involves expanding a company's operations into a new product line or market that is unrelated to its existing products or markets. This type of diversification helps companies to reduce the risks of relying on a single market or product. For example, a software company that starts manufacturing electric vehicles would be an example of horizontal diversification.

Vertical diversification involves expanding a company's operations into a new area of its existing value chain. This type of diversification helps companies to gain greater control over their supply chain and reduce costs. For example, a company that produces wheat flour may start producing bread to vertically integrate into the downstream market.

Concentric diversification involves expanding a company's operations into a related product or market. This type of diversification helps companies to leverage their existing capabilities and resources. For example, a fast-food chain that starts selling ice cream would be an example of concentric diversification.

Conglomerate diversification involves expanding a company's operations into an unrelated product or market. This type of diversification helps companies to diversify their revenue streams and reduce the risks of relying on a single market or product. For example, a company that produces steel may start investing in the real estate market.

In recent years, there has been a growing body of research on diversification strategy, with many academic journals publishing papers on the topic. Some notable research papers include "The Impact of Diversification on Firm Performance" by Gao, Greenberg, and Wong (2015) and "Diversification Strategy and Firm Performance: A Study of Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria" by Njoroge and Ngugi (2019).

Real-Life Examples of Companies That Successfully Used Diversification Strategy

Diversification strategy has been successfully implemented by several companies across the world, and Sri Lanka is no exception. In this section, we will discuss some real-life examples of Sri Lankan companies that have successfully used diversification strategy to grow and thrive.

John Keells Holdings PLC

John Keells Holdings (JKH) is a Sri Lankan conglomerate that was founded in 1870. It started as a small business selling tea, but over time, it has diversified into several different industries, including tourism, real estate, and financial services. Today, JKH is one of the largest companies in Sri Lanka, with a market capitalization of over $2 billion.

The success of JKH can be attributed to its diversification strategy. By investing in different industries, JKH has been able to reduce its risk and become less dependent on any one industry. For example, when the tea industry was hit by a downturn in the 1970s, JKH was able to rely on its other businesses to stay afloat. This diversification has also allowed JKH to take advantage of growth opportunities in different industries, which has helped it to expand rapidly.

Hayleys PLC

Hayleys PLC is another Sri Lankan conglomerate that has successfully used diversification strategy. It was founded in 1878 and started as a small business trading in agricultural inputs. Over time, it has diversified into several different industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and construction.

Hayleys PLC's diversification strategy has allowed it to become one of the largest and most successful companies in Sri Lanka. By investing in different industries, Hayleys PLC has been able to reduce its risk and take advantage of growth opportunities in different industries. This has helped it to expand rapidly and become a leader in several industries.

Singer Sri Lanka PLC

Singer Sri Lanka is a well-known Sri Lankan company that is part of the Singer Group, a global manufacturer of home appliances. It was founded in 1877 as a small company selling sewing machines, but over time, it has diversified into several different industries, including consumer electronics, furniture, and financial services.

Singer Sri Lanka's diversification strategy has been a key factor in its success. By investing in different industries, Singer Sri Lanka has been able to reduce its risk and take advantage of growth opportunities in different industries. This has helped it to expand rapidly and become a leader in several industries, including consumer electronics and furniture.

These examples demonstrate how diversification strategy can be successfully used by companies to reduce risk and take advantage of growth opportunities in different industries. By investing in different industries, companies can become more resilient and adaptable to changing market conditions, which is essential in today's business environment.

How to Implement Diversification Strategy

Diversification strategy is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. In order to implement a successful diversification strategy, companies must follow a series of steps:

Identifying Opportunities for Diversification: Companies need to identify new areas of business that could potentially benefit from diversification. This requires a thorough analysis of the company's current strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Companies need to conduct market research and analyze customer needs and preferences to identify opportunities that align with their core competencies.

Evaluating the Potential New Business Ventures: Once the opportunities for diversification have been identified, companies need to evaluate the potential new business ventures. This involves conducting a thorough analysis of the market and assessing the potential risks and benefits of each opportunity.

Developing a Diversification Plan: Companies need to develop a comprehensive plan for diversification, which outlines the strategic objectives, target market, financial projections, and other key details of the new business ventures.

Executing the Plan and Monitoring the Results: Companies need to execute the diversification plan and closely monitor the results. This involves continuously analyzing the market, assessing the competition, and making adjustments to the plan as needed. Companies need to be patient and willing to make changes in response to market feedback.

Successful implementation of diversification strategy requires careful planning, thoughtful execution, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. Companies that are able to execute the strategy effectively can benefit from increased revenue streams, reduced risk, and enhanced competitiveness in the marketplace.

Dos and Don'ts When Considering Diversification as a Strategy

Diversification is a complex and potentially risky strategy, and companies need to carefully consider the pros and cons before pursuing it. To help ensure the success of the diversification strategy, companies should keep in mind the following Dos and Don'ts:

Dos:

Focus on Core Competencies: Companies should focus on diversification opportunities that leverage their core competencies and existing strengths. This can help ensure that the new business ventures are aligned with the company's overall mission and values.

Consider Market Trends: Companies need to carefully analyze market trends and customer needs to identify potential opportunities for diversification. This can help ensure that the new business ventures are aligned with market demands and have the potential to be successful.

Evaluate the Potential Risks and Benefits: Companies need to conduct a thorough analysis of the potential risks and benefits of the new business ventures before committing to them. This can help ensure that the diversification strategy is a sound investment that will generate long-term returns.

Allocate Appropriate Resources: Companies need to allocate sufficient resources to the new business ventures to ensure that they have the best chance of success. This can include financial resources, human resources, and time and attention from management.

Have a Clear Diversification Plan: Companies need to have a clear plan for the diversification strategy that outlines the strategic objectives, target market, financial projections, and other key details. This can help ensure that the strategy is implemented in a consistent and effective manner.

Don'ts:

Neglect Core Business: Companies should not neglect their core business in pursuit of diversification. The core business should remain the top priority and should be supported and maintained even as the new business ventures are pursued.

Underestimate the Potential Risks: Companies should not underestimate the potential risks associated with diversification. This can include financial risk, market risk, and operational risk, among others. Companies need to conduct a thorough risk analysis before committing to the diversification strategy.

Pursue Unrelated Diversification: Companies should not pursue unrelated diversification that is not aligned with their core competencies and existing strengths. This can increase the risk of failure and can dilute the company's brand and reputation.

Allocate Insufficient Resources: Companies should not allocate insufficient resources to the new business ventures. This can increase the risk of failure and can undermine the long-term success of the diversification strategy.

Implement Diversification Without a Clear Plan: Companies should not implement diversification without a clear plan that outlines the strategic objectives, target market, financial projections, and other key details. This can increase the risk of failure and can undermine the effectiveness of the strategy.

Conclusion

In summary, diversification strategy has been a popular and effective approach for businesses to achieve growth and mitigate risks. Through a case study of a Sri Lankan company, we saw how diversification helped the company overcome challenges and achieve success in new markets. Additionally, we discussed the history and founder of diversification strategy, real-life examples of successful companies, how to implement diversification, and dos and don'ts for companies considering this approach.

For Sri Lankan companies, diversification is an important consideration, especially given the increasing competition and rapidly changing business environment. By leveraging their core competencies, identifying new opportunities, and allocating appropriate resources, companies can achieve growth and sustain their competitive advantage.

In conclusion, while diversification can be a complex and challenging strategy, it can also be a valuable way for businesses to expand their reach and protect their long-term viability. For companies considering diversification, it is essential to carefully evaluate the potential risks and benefits, and develop a clear plan for execution and monitoring. By following the dos and don'ts discussed in this article, Sri Lankan businesses can successfully navigate the diversification journey and achieve sustainable growth.