Flevy Management Insights Q&A
What impact do emerging technologies like blockchain and IoT have on competitive strategies in sectors like finance and manufacturing?
     David Tang    |    Competitive Analysis


This article provides a detailed response to: What impact do emerging technologies like blockchain and IoT have on competitive strategies in sectors like finance and manufacturing? For a comprehensive understanding of Competitive Analysis, we also include relevant case studies for further reading and links to Competitive Analysis best practice resources.

TLDR Blockchain and IoT are revolutionizing finance and manufacturing by shifting Strategic Planning, Operational Excellence, and Customer Engagement, requiring organizations to adapt for Digital Transformation and Innovation.

Reading time: 4 minutes

Before we begin, let's review some important management concepts, as they related to this question.

What does Strategic Planning mean?
What does Operational Excellence mean?
What does Digital Transformation mean?


Emerging technologies such as Blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing competitive strategies across various sectors, notably finance and manufacturing. These innovations are not merely technological upgrades; they represent a paradigm shift in how organizations approach Strategic Planning, Operational Excellence, and Customer Engagement. The implications of these technologies are profound, offering both opportunities for competitive advantage and challenges that require careful navigation.

Impact on Finance Sector

In the finance sector, Blockchain technology is fundamentally altering the landscape of transactions, security, and trust mechanisms. Blockchain's promise of decentralized ledgers and the elimination of intermediaries has the potential to redefine banking, payments, and securities trading. For instance, a report by Accenture suggests that Blockchain technology could save the banking industry up to $20 billion annually by 2022 through reduced operational costs. This technology enhances transparency, speeds up transactions, and reduces the risk of fraud, compelling financial institutions to rethink their Competitive Strategies.

Moreover, Blockchain facilitates the creation of smart contracts, which automatically execute transactions when predefined conditions are met. This capability introduces new levels of efficiency and automation in compliance and contract management, areas traditionally plagued by bureaucracy and inefficiency. As a result, organizations are increasingly investing in Blockchain to drive Digital Transformation, with leading banks and financial institutions piloting blockchain projects for everything from cross-border payments to anti-money laundering tracking.

However, the adoption of Blockchain in finance is not without its challenges. Regulatory uncertainty, technological complexity, and the need for a shift in organizational culture towards embracing digital innovations are significant hurdles. Organizations that can navigate these challenges effectively, perhaps by engaging in partnerships with fintech startups or participating in industry consortia, are likely to emerge as leaders in the new financial landscape.

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Impact on Manufacturing Sector

The manufacturing sector is witnessing a similar transformation, driven by the IoT. The integration of IoT devices into manufacturing processes, known as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), is enabling unprecedented levels of operational efficiency, product quality, and customization. Gartner predicts that by 2023, the number of connected things in use will reach 25 billion, with a significant portion of these being in industrial and enterprise sectors. This connectivity allows for real-time monitoring and adjustment of manufacturing operations, predictive maintenance of equipment, and enhanced supply chain management.

IoT technologies are at the heart of Industry 4.0, facilitating the creation of "smart factories" where machines communicate with each other and with human operators. This not only optimizes production processes but also opens up new business models. For example, manufacturers can now offer products-as-a-service, where the product's performance and usage data collected via IoT devices can be used to provide value-added services to customers. This shift from selling products to selling outcomes requires a reevaluation of Competitive Strategies, focusing on customer-centricity and service innovation.

Yet, the adoption of IoT in manufacturing also presents challenges, including data security concerns, the need for significant capital investment in new technologies, and the development of skills and capabilities to analyze and act on the data collected. Organizations that can overcome these obstacles, perhaps by forming strategic alliances with technology providers or investing in workforce training, will be well-positioned to capitalize on the benefits of IoT.

Strategic Considerations for Organizations

To leverage the opportunities presented by Blockchain and IoT, organizations must undertake a comprehensive review of their Strategic Planning and Competitive Strategies. This involves not only investing in the necessary technologies but also fostering a culture of innovation that embraces change and experimentation. Organizations should consider establishing dedicated innovation hubs or cross-functional teams tasked with exploring the applications of these technologies in their operations and market offerings.

Additionally, given the fast-evolving nature of these technologies, organizations must remain agile and adaptable. This might involve adopting a phased approach to technology adoption, starting with pilot projects to test and learn before scaling up successful initiatives. Moreover, organizations should actively engage with regulators, industry bodies, and technology partners to stay ahead of regulatory changes, industry standards, and emerging technological trends.

In conclusion, Blockchain and IoT are reshaping competitive landscapes in finance and manufacturing, among other sectors. By offering new ways to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and create value for customers, these technologies present significant opportunities for organizations willing to innovate and adapt. However, success in this new environment requires more than just technological adoption; it demands a strategic reorientation towards digital transformation, innovation, and customer-centricity.

Best Practices in Competitive Analysis

Here are best practices relevant to Competitive Analysis from the Flevy Marketplace. View all our Competitive Analysis materials here.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Explore all of our best practices in: Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis Case Studies

For a practical understanding of Competitive Analysis, take a look at these case studies.

Competitive Analysis Enhancement for a Global Tech Firm

Scenario: A global technology firm has been steadily losing ground to its key competitors in an ever-evolving and fast-paced industry.

Read Full Case Study

Digital Transformation Strategy for Independent Media Outlet in Emerging Markets

Scenario: An independent media outlet, operating in the competitive landscape of emerging markets, faces a critical need for a comprehensive competitive assessment.

Read Full Case Study

Competitive Analysis for Boutique Lodging Firm in Luxury Segment

Scenario: The organization in question operates within the luxury lodging industry and has been facing stiff competition from both established and emerging boutique hotels.

Read Full Case Study

Competitive Landscape Assessment for Luxury Brand in European Market

Scenario: The organization in question is a European luxury goods manufacturer struggling to position itself against aggressive competitors in the market.

Read Full Case Study

Competitive Analysis Framework for Telecom Industry in 5G Evolution

Scenario: The organization is a mid-size telecom operator grappling with the rapid shift towards 5G technology.

Read Full Case Study

Competitive Analysis Enhancement for Agritech Firm

Scenario: An Agritech company specializing in precision farming solutions is struggling to maintain its market position against rapidly emerging competitors.

Read Full Case Study




Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials

  •  
    "Flevy is our 'go to' resource for management material, at an affordable cost. The Flevy library is comprehensive and the content deep, and typically provides a great foundation for us to further develop and tailor our own service offer."

    – Chris McCann, Founder at Resilient.World
  •  
    "Flevy.com has proven to be an invaluable resource library to our Independent Management Consultancy, supporting and enabling us to better serve our enterprise clients.

    The value derived from our [FlevyPro] subscription in terms of the business it has helped to gain far exceeds the investment made, making a subscription a no-brainer for any growing consultancy – or in-house strategy team."

    – Dean Carlton, Chief Transformation Officer, Global Village Transformations Pty Ltd.
  •  
    "[Flevy] produces some great work that has been/continues to be of immense help not only to myself, but as I seek to provide professional services to my clients, it give me a large "tool box" of resources that are critical to provide them with the quality of service and outcomes they are expecting."

    – Royston Knowles, Executive with 50+ Years of Board Level Experience
  •  
    "As an Independent Management Consultant, I find Flevy to add great value as a source of best practices, templates and information on new trends. Flevy has matured and the quality and quantity of the library is excellent. Lastly the price charged is reasonable, creating a win-win value for "

    – Jim Schoen, Principal at FRC Group
  •  
    "My FlevyPro subscription provides me with the most popular frameworks and decks in demand in today’s market. They not only augment my existing consulting and coaching offerings and delivery, but also keep me abreast of the latest trends, inspire new products and service offerings for my practice, and educate me "

    – Bill Branson, Founder at Strategic Business Architects
  •  
    "As a consulting firm, we had been creating subject matter training materials for our people and found the excellent materials on Flevy, which saved us 100's of hours of re-creating what already exists on the Flevy materials we purchased."

    – Michael Evans, Managing Director at Newport LLC
  •  
    "I am extremely grateful for the proactiveness and eagerness to help and I would gladly recommend the Flevy team if you are looking for data and toolkits to help you work through business solutions."

    – Trevor Booth, Partner, Fast Forward Consulting
  •  
    "As a niche strategic consulting firm, Flevy and FlevyPro frameworks and documents are an on-going reference to help us structure our findings and recommendations to our clients as well as improve their clarity, strength, and visual power. For us, it is an invaluable resource to increase our impact and value."

    – David Coloma, Consulting Area Manager at Cynertia Consulting



Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.