Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Strategy & Execution
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics
"Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics" explores the challenges associated with growing a start-up around a brand new technology. In October 2012, Eric Almgren became CEO of Keyssa. Founded in 2009, Keyssa reinvented the physical connector, an essential component in every computing and mobile device around the globe. Using a novel technology called Kiss Connectivity, Keyssa enabled contactless, wireless, secure, instant data flows within and between devices, while freeing product designers from the constraints of bulky but fragile metal connectors. Almgren was confident that this technology would have a huge impact on the next generation of mobile and computing devices. However, he faced several challenges in his efforts to grow Keyssa. Specific obstacles addressed include: replacing an existing CEO; raising money in a challenging fundraising environment; aligning on the company's go-to-market strategy; determining the right approach with regard to industry standards; and assessing opportunities outside of Keyssa's core computing and mobile markets. To Almgren and the Keyssa team, there was little doubt about the endless opportunities for Keyssa's revolutionary technology. Yet they also knew that it was only a matter of time before competitors would develop market ready products across multiple industries. Against that backdrop, Keyssa would need to continue innovating for the customers and industries that mattered most.
Swot Analysis of "Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics" written by Robert E. Siegel, Ryan Kissick includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Keyssa Almgren facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Intellectual property, International business, Joint ventures, Market research, Mobile and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics casestudy better are - – increasing commodity prices, geopolitical disruptions, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, increasing energy prices, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, there is increasing trade war between United States & China,
competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, there is backlash against globalization, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Keyssa Almgren, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Keyssa Almgren operates in.
According to Harvard Business Review, 75% of the managers use SWOT analysis for various purposes such as – evaluating current scenario, strategic planning, new venture feasibility, personal growth goals, new market entry, Go To market strategies, portfolio management and strategic trade-off assessment, organizational restructuring, etc.
SWOT Objectives / Importance of SWOT Analysis and SWOT Matrix
SWOT analysis of Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Keyssa Almgren
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Strategy & Execution field.
4. Making a Strategy & Execution topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Keyssa Almgren
Strengths Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Keyssa Almgren in Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics Harvard Business Review case study are -
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Keyssa Almgren to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Keyssa Almgren to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Organizational Resilience of Keyssa Almgren
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Keyssa Almgren does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Keyssa Almgren has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Keyssa Almgren has effective processes in place that helps in exploring new product needs, doing quick pilot testing, and then launching the products quickly using its extensive distribution network.
High brand equity
– Keyssa Almgren has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Keyssa Almgren to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Innovation driven organization
– Keyssa Almgren is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Keyssa Almgren are driving operational speed, building greater agility, and keeping the organization nimble to compete with new competitors. It helps are organization to ideate new ideas, and execute them swiftly in the marketplace.
Analytics focus
– Keyssa Almgren is putting a lot of focus on utilizing the power of analytics in business decision making. This has put it among the leading players in the industry. The technology infrastructure suggested by Robert E. Siegel, Ryan Kissick can also help it to harness the power of analytics for – marketing optimization, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, inventory management, information sharing across the value chain etc.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Keyssa Almgren in the sector have low bargaining power. Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Keyssa Almgren to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Keyssa Almgren has built up over years in its products and services combo offer has resulted in high retention of customers, lower marketing costs, and greater ability of the firm to focus on its customers.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics Harvard Business Review case study comprises – understanding the underlying the factors in the industry, building diversified operations across different geographies so that disruption in one part of the world doesn’t impact the overall performance of the firm, and integrating the various business operations and processes through its digital transformation drive.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Keyssa Almgren is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Diverse revenue streams
– Keyssa Almgren is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics case study a diverse revenue stream that has helped it to survive disruptions such as global pandemic in Covid-19, financial disruption of 2008, and supply chain disruption of 2021.
Weaknesses Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics are -
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics HBR case study mentions - Keyssa Almgren takes time to assess the upcoming competitions. This has led to missing out on atleast 2-3 big opportunities in the industry in last five years.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Keyssa Almgren is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Strategy & Execution segment. Keyssa Almgren needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Keyssa Almgren to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics has high operating costs in the. This can be harder to sustain given the new emerging competition from nimble players who are using technology to attract Keyssa Almgren 's lucrative customers.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Keyssa Almgren has a very deliberative decision making approach. This approach has resulted in prudent decisions, but it has also resulted in missing opportunities in the industry over the last five years. Keyssa Almgren even though has strong showing on digital transformation primary two stages, it has struggled to capitalize the power of digital transformation in marketing efforts and new venture efforts.
Lack of clear differentiation of Keyssa Almgren products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Keyssa Almgren needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Strategy & Execution strategy. But it has very little resources allocation to manage the risks emerging from events such as natural disasters, climate change, melting of permafrost, tacking the rise of artificial intelligence, opportunities and threats emerging from commercialization of space etc.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics, it seems that the employees of Keyssa Almgren don’t have comprehensive understanding of the firm’s strategy. This is reflected in number of promotional campaigns over the last few years that had mixed messaging and competing priorities. Some of the strategic activities and services promoted in the promotional campaigns were not consistent with the organization’s strategy.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Keyssa Almgren has a high cash cycle compare to other players in the industry. It needs to shorten the cash cycle by 12% to be more competitive in the marketplace, reduce inventory costs, and be more profitable.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Keyssa Almgren, firm in the HBR case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics HBR case study still accounts for major business revenue. This dependence on star products in has resulted into insufficient focus on developing new products, even though Keyssa Almgren has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Robert E. Siegel, Ryan Kissick suggests that, Keyssa Almgren is facing high bargaining power of the channel partners. So far it has not able to streamline the operations to reduce the bargaining power of the value chain partners in the industry.
Opportunities Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics | External Strategic Factors
What are Opportunities in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The opportunities highlighted in the Harvard Business Review case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics are -
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Keyssa Almgren can build a diversified supply chain model across various countries in - South East Asia, India, and other parts of the world. This reconfiguration of global supply chain can help, as suggested in case study, Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Use of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies for transactions
– The popularity of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies as asset class and medium of transaction has opened new opportunities for Keyssa Almgren in the consumer business. Now Keyssa Almgren can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Identify volunteer opportunities
– Covid-19 has impacted working population in two ways – it has led to people soul searching about their professional choices, resulting in mass resignation. Secondly it has encouraged people to do things that they are passionate about. This has opened opportunities for businesses to build volunteer oriented socially driven projects. Keyssa Almgren can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Keyssa Almgren to expand its talent hiring zone. According to McKinsey Global Institute, 20% of the high end workforce in fields such as finance, information technology, can continously work from remote local post Covid-19. This presents a really great opportunity for Keyssa Almgren to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Keyssa Almgren can still utilize the low interest rates to borrow money for capital investment. Secondly it can also use the increase of government spending in infrastructure projects to get new business.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Keyssa Almgren has spent a significant amount of money and effort to integrate analytics and machine learning into its operations in the sector. This continuous investment in analytics has enabled, as illustrated in the Harvard case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Keyssa Almgren to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Strategy & Execution industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Keyssa Almgren can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Keyssa Almgren can make experimentation a productive activity and build a culture of innovation using approaches such as – mining transaction data, A/B testing of websites and selling platforms, engaging potential customers over various needs, and building on small ideas in the Strategy & Execution segment.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Keyssa Almgren can leverage digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the production process, customer analytics to get better insights into consumer behavior, realtime digital dashboards to get better sales tracking, logistics and transportation, product tracking, etc.
Manufacturing automation
– Keyssa Almgren can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Strategy & Execution segment. It can use CAD and 3D printing to build a quick prototype and pilot testing products. It can leverage automation using machine learning and artificial intelligence to do faster production at lowers costs, and it can leverage the growth in satellite and tracking technologies to improve inventory management, transportation, and shipping.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Keyssa Almgren in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Strategy & Execution segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Developing new processes and practices
– Keyssa Almgren can develop new processes and procedures in Strategy & Execution industry using technology such as automation using artificial intelligence, real time transportation and products tracking, 3D modeling for concept development and new products pilot testing etc.
Loyalty marketing
– Keyssa Almgren has focused on building a highly responsive customer relationship management platform. This platform is built on in-house data and driven by analytics and artificial intelligence. The customer analytics can help the organization to fine tune its loyalty marketing efforts, increase the wallet share of the organization, reduce wastage on mainstream advertising spending, build better pricing strategies using personalization, etc.
Threats Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics are -
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Keyssa Almgren can face lack of demand in the market place because of Fed actions to reduce inflation. This can lead to sluggish growth in the economy, lower demands, lower investments, higher borrowing costs, and consolidation in the field.
Environmental challenges
– Keyssa Almgren needs to have a robust strategy against the disruptions arising from climate change and energy requirements. EU has identified it as key priority area and spending 30% of its 880 billion Euros European post Covid-19 recovery funds on green technology. Keyssa Almgren can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
Backlash against dominant players
– US Congress and other legislative arms of the government are getting tough on big business especially technology companies. The digital arm of Keyssa Almgren business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Instability in the European markets
– European Union markets are facing three big challenges post Covid – expanded balance sheets, Brexit related business disruption, and aggressive Russia looking to distract the existing security mechanism. Keyssa Almgren will face different problems in different parts of Europe. For example it will face inflationary pressures in UK, France, and Germany, balance sheet expansion and demand challenges in Southern European countries, and geopolitical instability in the Eastern Europe.
Capital market disruption
– During the Covid-19, Dow Jones has touched record high. The valuations of a number of companies are way beyond their existing business model potential. This can lead to capital market correction which can put a number of suppliers, collaborators, value chain partners in great financial difficulty. It will directly impact the business of Keyssa Almgren.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Keyssa Almgren high dependence on third party suppliers can disrupt its processes and delivery mechanism. For example -the current troubles of car makers because of chip shortage is because the chip companies started producing chips for electronic companies rather than car manufacturers.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Keyssa Almgren in the Strategy & Execution industry. The Strategy & Execution industry is already at various protected from local competition in China, with the rise of trade war the protection levels may go up. This presents a clear threat of current business model in Chinese market.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Strategy & Execution field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Keyssa Almgren can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Regulatory challenges
– Keyssa Almgren needs to prepare for regulatory challenges as consumer protection groups and other pressure groups are vigorously advocating for more regulations on big business - to reduce inequality, to create a level playing field, to product data privacy and consumer privacy, to reduce the influence of big money on democratic institutions, etc. This can lead to significant changes in the Strategy & Execution industry regulations.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Keyssa Almgren is facing in Strategy & Execution sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Aging population
– As the populations of most advanced economies are aging, it will lead to high social security costs, higher savings among population, and lower demand for goods and services in the economy. The household savings in US, France, UK, Germany, and Japan are growing faster than predicted because of uncertainty caused by pandemic.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics, Keyssa Almgren may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Strategy & Execution .
Increasing wage structure of Keyssa Almgren
– Post Covid-19 there is a sharp increase in the wages especially in the jobs that require interaction with people. The increasing wages can put downward pressure on the margins of Keyssa Almgren.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics Template, Example
Not all factors mentioned under the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants in the SWOT Analysis are equal. Managers in the HBR case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics needs to zero down on the relative importance of each factor mentioned in the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants.
We can provide the relative importance to each factor by assigning relative weights. Weighted SWOT analysis process is a three stage process –
First stage for doing weighted SWOT analysis of the case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics is to rank the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. This will help you to assess the most important strengths and weaknesses of the firm and which one of the strengths and weaknesses mentioned in the initial lists are marginal and can be left out.
Second stage for conducting weighted SWOT analysis of the Harvard case study Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics is to give probabilities to the external strategic factors thus better understanding the opportunities and threats arising out of macro environment changes and developments.
Third stage of constructing weighted SWOT analysis of Keyssa: Unraveling the Laws of Physics is to provide strategic recommendations includes – joining likelihood of external strategic factors such as opportunities and threats to the internal strategic factors – strengths and weaknesses. You should start with external factors as they will provide the direction of the overall industry. Secondly by joining probabilities with internal strategic factors can help the company not only strategic fit but also the most probably strategic trade-off that Keyssa Almgren needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.