Competitive advantage in business, can be gained, analyzed and strengthened by firms that are willing and able to so do. The VRIO model and the impact of Porter’s five forces are two frameworks that we often use at OTIB, JA. to evaluate a firm’s competitive position. The VRIO analysis focuses on internal resources. An analysis of the impact of Porter’s five forces on a business, highlights the external/industry-based factors affecting its competitive advantage. Human resources are a key factor in both analyses.
Human resource issues are as expansive and varying as planets in the universe. However, no matter the issue, happy human beings are significantly more productive than unhappy ones. Forbes.com reaffirms this, in its article entitled “Promoting employee happiness benefits everyone.” In that article, Forbes highlighted a social science study which found that happy employees are up to 20% more productive than unhappy employees (2017). So, they will add value and organization that improve internal efficiencies and strengthen the entire value chain. They will build strong external relationships that help with the handling of supplier issues and corporate rivalries. In addition, and very importantly, they will make working with them very pleasant, which will boost team morale.
“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord,” (Psalm 144:15). One needs not be born special to bask in Yahweh’s providence, because Christ came in fulfilment of God’s promise, to add grace onto all. This grace means that those who believe, need not worry about anything. Need not be sad about anything. Need not give anything less than their best at everything. So, a human resource team that believes this, and behaves like this, will be happier and more productive. People of that ilk, keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17). They, subsequently, observe the Sabbath of the Lord. Ergo, a firm that encourages this observance encourages its own competitive advantage.
We here at OTIB, JA. happily, encourage the observance of the Sabbath, and it does a lot for our firm. It reminds our partners and team members and clients that we value something greater than money. It demonstrates to team members who observe the Sabbath that their beliefs matter to us and that we encourage their holistic well-being. In addition, it gives our firm’s resources the well-needed rest they require in order to perform at their optimum for all the other days of the week.