Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Leadership & Managing People
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention
The chief executive officer of Kvantum Inc. received a distressing email from the human resources manager at Data Research Services. The two companies shared office space, and Data Research Services had invested seed capital in Kvantum. However, a Data Research Services employee was now accusing one of Kvantum's most competent junior data scientists of harassment. The Kvantum employee had apparently approached the Data Research Services employee personally and then again through a popular social networking website. If the allegations were verified, Kvantum could lose a valuable employee. Moreover, a workplace scandal could adversely impact the start-up's reputation. The issue required immediate action. Should it be considered misbehaviour? If so, what kind of misbehaviour? Most importantly, how should Kvantum resolve the problem? Gaatha Gulyani is affiliated with Management Development Institute.
Swot Analysis of "Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention" written by Gaatha Gulyani, Jyotsna Bhatnagar includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Kvantum Misbehaviour facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Social platforms, Talent management and Leadership & Managing People.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention casestudy better are - – increasing energy prices, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, geopolitical disruptions, there is backlash against globalization, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies,
banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Kvantum Misbehaviour, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Kvantum Misbehaviour 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 Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Kvantum Misbehaviour
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Leadership & Managing People field.
4. Making a Leadership & Managing People topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Kvantum Misbehaviour
Strengths Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Kvantum Misbehaviour in Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention Harvard Business Review case study are -
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Kvantum Misbehaviour 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.
Digital Transformation in Leadership & Managing People segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Kvantum Misbehaviour digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Kvantum Misbehaviour has successfully integrated the four key components of digital transformation – digital integration in processes, digital integration in marketing and customer relationship management, digital integration into the value chain, and using technology to explore new products and market opportunities.
High brand equity
– Kvantum Misbehaviour has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Kvantum Misbehaviour to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention 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 lead change in Leadership & Managing People field
– Kvantum Misbehaviour is one of the leading players in its industry. Over the years it has not only transformed the business landscape in its segment but also across the whole industry. The ability to lead change has enabled Kvantum Misbehaviour in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Diverse revenue streams
– Kvantum Misbehaviour is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention 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.
Analytics focus
– Kvantum Misbehaviour 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 Gaatha Gulyani, Jyotsna Bhatnagar 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Kvantum Misbehaviour has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Kvantum Misbehaviour 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Kvantum Misbehaviour has highly efficient outsourcing and offshoring strategy. It has resulted in greater operational flexibility and bringing down the costs in highly price sensitive segment. Secondly the value chain collaborators of the firm in Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Kvantum Misbehaviour is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Learning organization
- Kvantum Misbehaviour is a learning organization. It has inculcated three key characters of learning organization in its processes and operations – exploration, creativity, and expansiveness. The work place at Kvantum Misbehaviour is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Kvantum Misbehaviour has innovation driven culture where significant part of the revenues are spent on the research and development activities. This has resulted in, as mentioned in case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Weaknesses Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention are -
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Kvantum Misbehaviour is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Leadership & Managing People segment. Kvantum Misbehaviour needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Kvantum Misbehaviour to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Leadership & Managing People 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.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Kvantum Misbehaviour has created an environment where the organization is dominated by functional specialists rather than management generalist. This has resulted into product oriented approach rather than marketing oriented approach or consumers oriented approach.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Kvantum Misbehaviour, firm in the HBR case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Need for greater diversity
– Kvantum Misbehaviour has taken concrete steps on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But the efforts so far has resulted in limited success. It needs to expand the recruitment and selection process to hire more people from the minorities and underprivileged background.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention that the firm needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department in the case Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Kvantum Misbehaviour is planning to shift buying processes online.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Kvantum Misbehaviour is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention, it seems that the employees of Kvantum Misbehaviour 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 operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention 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 Kvantum Misbehaviour 's lucrative customers.
High dependence on existing supply chain
– The disruption in the global supply chains because of the Covid-19 pandemic and blockage of the Suez Canal illustrated the fragile nature of Kvantum Misbehaviour supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Kvantum Misbehaviour vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Kvantum Misbehaviour 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.
Opportunities Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention | 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 Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention are -
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Kvantum Misbehaviour is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention case study suggests that firm can utilize new technology to build more coordinated teams and streamline operations and communications using tools such as CAD, Zoom, etc.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Kvantum Misbehaviour 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 Kvantum Misbehaviour to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Kvantum Misbehaviour can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Kvantum Misbehaviour operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Leadership & Managing People sector.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Kvantum Misbehaviour has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Kvantum Misbehaviour to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention case study. Kvantum Misbehaviour can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Buying journey improvements
– Kvantum Misbehaviour can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention suggest that firm can provide automated chats to help consumers solve their own problems, provide online suggestions to get maximum out of the products and services, and help consumers to build a community where they can interact with each other to develop new features and uses.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Kvantum Misbehaviour 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 Leadership & Managing People segment.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Kvantum Misbehaviour to increase its market reach. Kvantum Misbehaviour will be able to reach out to new customers. Secondly 5G will also provide technology framework to build new tools and products that can help more immersive consumer experience and faster consumer journey.
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 Kvantum Misbehaviour in the consumer business. Now Kvantum Misbehaviour can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Kvantum Misbehaviour can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Manufacturing automation
– Kvantum Misbehaviour can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Leadership & Managing People 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Kvantum Misbehaviour 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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Kvantum Misbehaviour in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Leadership & Managing People segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Kvantum Misbehaviour 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, Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Threats Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention are -
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention, Kvantum Misbehaviour may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Leadership & Managing People .
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Kvantum Misbehaviour 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.
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 Kvantum Misbehaviour.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Kvantum Misbehaviour in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The Leadership & Managing People 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.
Increasing wage structure of Kvantum Misbehaviour
– 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 Kvantum Misbehaviour.
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. Kvantum Misbehaviour 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.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Leadership & Managing People field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Kvantum Misbehaviour can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
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.
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 Kvantum Misbehaviour business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Kvantum Misbehaviour 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.
High level of anxiety and lack of motivation
– the Great Resignation in United States is the sign of broader dissatisfaction among the workforce in United States. Kvantum Misbehaviour needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Leadership & Managing People industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Kvantum Misbehaviour demand
– There is a high probability of declining consumer confidence, given – high inflammation rate, rise of gig economy, lower job stability, increasing cost of living, higher interest rates, and aging demography. All the factors contribute to people saving higher rate of their income, resulting in lower consumer demand in the industry and other sectors.
Regulatory challenges
– Kvantum Misbehaviour 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 Leadership & Managing People industry regulations.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention 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 Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention 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 Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention 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 Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention 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 Kvantum Inc.: Social Media Dilemma and Talent Retention 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 Kvantum Misbehaviour needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.