Why is Porter's value chain?

Why Is Porter's Value Chain Still a Big Deal in Business?

Getting to Know the Value Chain

Alright, so let’s start with the basics—what is Porter’s value chain, and why do people keep talking about it decades after Michael Porter first introduced it in the '80s?

Well, in simple terms, it’s a business model that breaks down every activity a company does into steps that add value. The idea is: if you understand how your company creates value, you can make it better. Smarter. More efficient. More competitive.

What’s in the Value Chain Anyway?

Primary Activities: Where the Action Happens

These are the core business activities. Stuff that directly involves creating and delivering a product or service.

• Inbound logistics – Getting materials or resources. Think: trucks, warehouses, supply chains.

• Operations – Turning raw stuff into finished goods. Factories, software builds, even baking cookies.

• Outbound logistics – Getting the product to customers. Simple, but oh-so-crucial.

• Marketing and sales – Shouting to the world: “Hey, come buy this!”

• Service – Post-sale support. Fixing issues, answering questions, keeping people happy.

Support Activities: The Behind-the-Scenes Heroes

Now we’re talking HR, IT, admin—stuff you don’t always see, but that keeps the machine running.

• Firm infrastructure – Legal, finance, general management.

• Human resource management – Recruiting, training, and managing staff.

• Technology development – R&D, software tools, and innovation.

• Procurement – Sourcing suppliers and negotiating contracts (hello discounts).

So, Why Does It Still Matter?

Okay, I’ll admit: the first time I saw the model, I thought, “Isn’t this kinda... outdated?” But the truth is, it holds up. Big time.

It Helps Pinpoint Strengths (and Weaknesses)

Say you're crushing it in operations but constantly dropping the ball on customer service. Porter’s model makes those gaps visible. Suddenly it’s not just gut instinct—it’s mapped out clearly.

It Adapts to Modern Business Too

Yeah, digital businesses look different. But the core activities still apply. A SaaS product has “operations” in the form of coding and updates. “Marketing” might be TikTok ads and email sequences. You just translate the steps.

It’s Strategy Gold

If you're trying to gain competitive advantage, this model is a winner. It pushes you to think: where do we shine? Where can we reduce cost without killing quality?

Common Missteps When Using the Value Chain

Some people get too obsessed with the framework and forget to adapt it. It’s a guide, not gospel. Plus, in real life, activities often overlap or loop back (especially in agile companies). That’s fine! Flex it. Make it yours.

Another issue? Companies ignore the support activities. But guess what—terrible HR or outdated tech will absolutely tank your whole operation.

A Quick Personal Take

Worked with a startup once—brilliant product, clever marketing. But man, their supplier relationships were a mess. Late shipments, quality issues. When we walked through Porter’s chain together, the “procurement” piece lit up like a warning sign. Fixing that one area boosted everything else like dominoes.

Wrapping It Up: Is It Still Worth It?

Short answer: heck yes.

Porter’s value chain isn’t about being trendy—it’s about being smart. If you want to understand how your business creates value and how to level up, this model’s a solid place to start. Think of it like a mirror: it shows you what’s working, what’s lagging, and where you can go next.

So yeah, maybe it’s not sexy. But useful? Oh, absolutely.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.