About 300 years ago, Robin Hood roamed Sherwood Forest. The legend says that he and his band of merry men stole from the rich and gave to the poor. He also had a run-in with the Sheriff of Nottingham. If we had to write a report analysing his situation, using Porter’s Five Force Model and SWOT Analysis, here is how it might have gone.

Robin, we have had a look at the current situation with regard to your ongoing campaign against the Sherriff of Nottingham.

We can see that it is now a personal crusade against the sheriff and the Prince Regent. The very nature of your venture means that there are some difficult and risky decisions to make.

Efforts to increase the number of your allies have been beneficial in some ways, but are becoming less manageable. This report will try and identify some options to consider, based on the current strategy and the problems within your team as a whole.

Strategic Position: Porters’ Five Force Model

Entry of Competitors

The entry of competitors is related to in-fighting within your team. The traditional methods of the group are coming into conflict with your desire to charge a transit tax, in order to avoid the problem of the rich merchants avoiding your area. It seems your reputation and that of your group is well known.

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The Sherriff also is gaining ground and more support from the administration currently in power. Prince John seems to be ignoring the fact that taxes are not currently being collected so it is not likely that the Sherriff will be ousted out of office at this time.

Threat of substitutes

The threat from substitutes is that the poor may well decide in the end to stop providing support. This will be a result of the threat from the Sherriff who is taking swift action against your supporters. He is now gaining the upper hand.

Bargaining Power of Buyers

The bargaining power of buyers is increasing, due to the lack of opportunity to provide them with as much choice due to diminishing supplies. The merchants are avoiding the forest. This has a knock-on affect on the poor. However, the most serious effect is not being able to sell goods for cash.

Bargaining Power of Suppliers

As a supplier to the poor you still have reasonable bargaining power. However, now the Barons want to get rid of Prince John and are asking for your support implies an increase in your bargaining position. Use this advantage to obtain food and clothing for your men.

Rivalry Among Existing Players

It is in your favour that the Barons are not very happy with the situation with regard to Prince John the current Regent. Currently, it is known that the Barons are trying to raise funds to obtain the release of King Richard, back to his rightful place.

They have requested the support of your team in exchange for a full pardon to achieve this and to oust Prince John, who is very unpopular with the general public.

It should be noted, however, that in the event the conspiracy goes wrong there will be serious repercussions. This needs to be planned for if you intend to support the Barons.

If King Richard can be released and returned safely it bodes well for all concerned. The Barons have disputed the claim to the throne the Regent has claimed without any justification.

Stakeholder Mapping

The interest of the stakeholders in all these events are rated from the following Power-Interest Grid (Moorhouse Consulting 2007)

A=High Power & Low Interest B=High Power & High Interest
C=Low Power & Low Interest D=Low Power & High Interest

Prince John = B

Sherriff of Nottingham = B

Robin Hood = B

Merry Men = D

Poor=D

Rich=A

It seems that the direct players in the ongoing situation are not the rich. They may be affected as a consequence of the actions the opposing players are taking, but overall they have little interest in the situation. As for the poor they have little power but have a vested interest in awaiting the return of King Richard in his rightful place. The importance of this cannot be underestimated.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Robin and Merry Men respected by the poor.
  • Barons need assistance to return King Richard to the throne.
  • Large, talented team at disposal.
  • Sheriff failing to collect taxes.

Weaknesses

  • Growing team losing discipline.
  • Lieutenants oppose tax transit plan
  • Revenues decreasing
  • Game becoming scarce
  • Food costs increasing

Opportunities

  • Barons need the services of Robin and Merry Men.
  • Can attempt to gain support from rich, but be wary of spies!
  • Promote more merry men to lieutenants, to help with discipline
  • In order to gain more widespread support, campaign amongst the poor for the return of King Richard, the true King of England!
  • If support is not available from the rich, can steal from them outside of Sherwood Forest. This is more risky but small teams could achieve this without being noticed, especially at night.
  • The Barons need your support and they have vast resources. As part of the plan you can bargain with them for resources for your men.

Threats

  • Sherriff of Nottingham gaining strength and momentum.
  • Rich Merchants avoiding forest so can’t be robbed
  • Prince John has spies everywhere, possibly in your own ranks
  • Vigilance reducing

Current Mission Strategy

Overall, the strategy is not going well. In the early days robbing the rich and giving to the poor was a sound policy. This is no longer appropriate and a change in approach is required before you and your merry men are all locked up or executed.

Recommendation

Use the Barons for support and support them in their quest. Build up the conspiracy, but be aware of the dangers it poses.

Campaign for the return of King Richard. Preach the benefits of this to all.

Promote from within; obtain new Lieutenants to install greater discipline.

Try to gain support from the rich. If that doesn’t work send small raiding parties and rob them!

Rather than kill the sheriff try to capture him for more information. This may prove to be difficult.

Use the Barons resources to assist with food, clothing until the food situation and revenue picks up. At the moment you are in a good bargaining position.