Companies today are run by data, and the data and analysis available far exceed that available a few short years ago. By analyzing, or mining for computer-based information about customers' purchasing habits, companies can augment their methods for knowing what their customers want. An organization that chooses to embark on the path of reshaping its value chain has to characterize its context, define the attributes that are necessary for success and develop an action plan. The attributes should be prioritized based on the importance in your marketplace, the opportunity for your company and the potential value due to that attribute. A sample of the kind of table that can help you to understand the value of such attributes can be found on page 19.
More detailed analysis is possible and desirable.
Such analysis could focus on customer types and detailed market segmentation. Libra Consulting specializes in supporting industry and government in crafting and implementing agile and mass customization strategies for the rapidly changing global marketplace. They provide consulting, training and decision support software services for their clients. International clients include Fortune 500 companies as well as small and medium sized businesses, across a variety of industries - furniture, food, appliance, automotive, and government. A short list of clients includes Stanley Furniture, Whirlpool, Ford, Kraft Foods and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.