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Written by Gary F. Smith
Publish Date: 2024-12-03

Harvard Case - Akooda: Charging Toward Operational Intelligence

"Akooda: Charging Toward Operational Intelligence" Harvard business case study is written by Christopher Stanton, Mel Martin. It deals with the challenges in the field of Operations Management. The case study is 20 page(s) long and it was first published on : Dec 19, 2022

At Fern Fort University, we recommend Akooda implement a comprehensive operational intelligence strategy that leverages technology and analytics to optimize its supply chain, enhance production processes, and drive sustainable growth. This strategy will involve a multi-pronged approach encompassing digital transformation, process improvement, data-driven decision-making, and organizational change.

2. Background

Akooda, a leading manufacturer of electric vehicle charging stations, faces challenges in managing its rapidly growing business. The company's success has resulted in increased demand, complex supply chains, and operational inefficiencies. Akooda needs to adapt its operations to meet the demands of a dynamic market while maintaining its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

The case study centers around Akooda's CEO, Omar Al-Khalili, who is grappling with the need to improve operational efficiency and gain real-time insights into the company's performance. The case highlights the challenges of managing a rapidly expanding business, particularly in the context of global supply chain disruptions and the need for continuous innovation in the electric vehicle charging industry.

3. Analysis of the Case Study

This case study can be analyzed through the lens of operations strategy and digital transformation. Akooda needs to adopt a holistic approach to its operations, focusing on:

  • Supply Chain Optimization: Akooda's current supply chain is fragmented and lacks visibility, leading to delays and increased costs. Implementing a supply chain management system (SCM) with real-time data tracking and demand forecasting capabilities will be crucial. This system should incorporate inventory control mechanisms like Just-in-Time (JIT) production and Kanban systems to minimize inventory holding costs and improve responsiveness.
  • Production Process Improvement: Akooda's production processes can be streamlined through lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies. Implementing value stream mapping will identify and eliminate non-value-adding activities, while process design improvements will enhance efficiency and reduce cycle times.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Akooda needs to leverage operations analytics to gain insights into its performance. Implementing a business intelligence (BI) platform will enable the company to track key performance indicators (KPIs), such as production output, inventory levels, and customer satisfaction. This data will inform strategic decisions related to capacity planning, production scheduling, and resource allocation.
  • Digital Transformation: Akooda should embrace digital transformation to enhance its operations and customer experience. This includes implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to integrate its various business functions, adopting cloud computing for scalability and flexibility, and leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor and control its production processes.
  • Organizational Change: Implementing these changes will require a shift in organizational culture and leadership. Akooda needs to foster a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision making, and collaboration across departments.

4. Recommendations

Akooda should implement the following recommendations to achieve operational excellence and sustainable growth:

Phase 1: Short-Term (3-6 Months)

  1. Implement a Supply Chain Management System (SCM): Invest in a robust SCM platform that provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, supplier performance, and order fulfillment. This will enable Akooda to optimize its logistics management, improve inventory control, and enhance demand forecasting.
  2. Conduct a Lean Manufacturing Assessment: Implement a comprehensive lean manufacturing assessment to identify and eliminate waste in production processes. This will involve value stream mapping, bottleneck analysis, and process design improvements.
  3. Develop a Data Analytics Strategy: Establish a data analytics team to collect, analyze, and interpret data from various sources. This team will develop dashboards and reports to track key KPIs and identify areas for improvement.
  4. Pilot a Digital Transformation Initiative: Implement a pilot project to test the feasibility of using cloud computing, IoT technology, and other digital tools to enhance production processes and customer experience.

Phase 2: Mid-Term (6-12 Months)

  1. Implement a Just-in-Time (JIT) Production System: Transition to a JIT production system to minimize inventory holding costs and improve responsiveness to changing demand. This will require close collaboration with suppliers and a robust materials requirements planning (MRP) system.
  2. Integrate an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System: Implement an ERP system to integrate various business functions, including finance, production, and sales. This will streamline operations, improve data accuracy, and provide a centralized platform for decision making.
  3. Develop a Continuous Improvement Program: Establish a company-wide continuous improvement program based on Kaizen principles. This program will encourage employees to identify and implement process improvements on a regular basis.
  4. Invest in Employee Training and Development: Provide training to employees on lean manufacturing principles, data analytics, and digital tools. This will ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to support the company's transformation.

Phase 3: Long-Term (12+ Months)

  1. Expand into New Markets: Leverage the improved operational efficiency and data-driven insights to expand into new markets. This will require a thorough understanding of international business practices and risk management strategies.
  2. Develop New Products and Services: Utilize data analytics to identify new product and service opportunities. This will require a strong R&D function and a focus on innovation.
  3. Embrace Sustainability: Implement green operations and sustainable operations practices to reduce the company's environmental footprint. This could involve sourcing materials from sustainable suppliers, reducing energy consumption, and implementing recycling programs.
  4. Foster a Culture of Innovation: Encourage innovation and creativity within the organization. This could involve establishing an innovation lab, providing employees with opportunities for professional development, and rewarding successful innovation initiatives.

5. Basis of Recommendations

These recommendations are based on the following considerations:

  • Core competencies and consistency with mission: Akooda's core competencies lie in its technological expertise and commitment to sustainable solutions. The recommendations align with these competencies by emphasizing digital transformation, process improvement, and environmental sustainability.
  • External customers and internal clients: The recommendations aim to improve customer satisfaction by enhancing product quality, reducing delivery times, and providing a more personalized experience. They also aim to improve employee satisfaction by creating a more efficient and rewarding work environment.
  • Competitors: Akooda needs to stay ahead of its competitors by continuously innovating and improving its operations. The recommendations will help Akooda achieve this by improving its efficiency, agility, and responsiveness.
  • Attractiveness ' quantitative measures if applicable (e.g., NPV, ROI, break-even, payback): Implementing these recommendations will require a significant investment, but the potential returns are substantial. By improving efficiency, reducing costs, and expanding into new markets, Akooda can achieve significant increases in profitability and market share.

6. Conclusion

By adopting a comprehensive operational intelligence strategy, Akooda can transform its operations, enhance its competitiveness, and achieve sustainable growth. This strategy will require a commitment to continuous improvement, data-driven decision making, and organizational change. By embracing these principles, Akooda can position itself as a leader in the electric vehicle charging industry and capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions.

7. Discussion

Other Alternatives:

  • Outsourcing: Akooda could consider outsourcing some of its operations, such as manufacturing or logistics, to reduce costs and focus on core competencies. However, this approach could lead to a loss of control over quality and delivery times.
  • Acquisitions: Akooda could acquire smaller companies with complementary technologies or expertise to expand its market reach and product portfolio. However, this approach carries significant financial and integration risks.

Risks and Key Assumptions:

  • Implementation Challenges: Implementing these recommendations will require significant effort and resources. Akooda needs to ensure that it has the necessary expertise and commitment to overcome these challenges.
  • Technology Adoption: Akooda needs to carefully select and implement the right technology solutions to support its operational intelligence strategy. This will require a thorough understanding of technology trends and a commitment to ongoing innovation.
  • Organizational Change Management: Implementing these changes will require a significant shift in organizational culture and leadership. Akooda needs to effectively communicate the benefits of the transformation and provide employees with the necessary support to adapt to new ways of working.

8. Next Steps

Akooda should begin by forming a cross-functional team to develop a detailed implementation plan. This plan should include specific timelines, milestones, and resource requirements. The team should also develop a communication strategy to keep stakeholders informed of progress and address any concerns.

Timeline:

  • Month 1-3: Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and develop a detailed implementation plan.
  • Month 3-6: Implement Phase 1 recommendations, including the SCM system, lean manufacturing assessment, and data analytics strategy.
  • Month 6-12: Implement Phase 2 recommendations, including the JIT production system, ERP integration, and continuous improvement program.
  • Month 12-24: Implement Phase 3 recommendations, including market expansion, product development, and sustainability initiatives.

By following these steps, Akooda can successfully implement its operational intelligence strategy and achieve its goals of operational excellence, sustainable growth, and customer satisfaction.

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Case Description

The Akooda case describes the challenges confronting founder and CEO Yuval Gonczarowski (MBA '17) in 2022 as he attempts to boost sales. Launched in November 2020, Akooda was an AI company that mined 20 different sources of digital data, from tools like Slack, Google Drive, Jira, and Salesforce. Akooda's interfaces helped companies with knowledge management, process tracking, and onboarding employees by allowing managers to display real-time topics that teams and individuals engaged in during their actual work. Gonczarowski's company had begun to develop a reputation for helping companies generate insights previously obscured by the disparate software technologies used in day-to-day work. Despite strong growth, a large prospective client wanted Gonczarowski to use Akooda's artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to surveil, monitor, and measure the performance of individual employees. But Akooda's category was nascent, and Gonczarowski feared that providing companies with invasive monitoring tools would cause employees to distrust Akooda, hindering its ability to generate insights from employees' public-facing data. The case describes how Akooda impacts managers' roles in information-abundant but physically disconnected environments and Gonczarowski's needed to walk a tightrope between providing insights about company operations and monitoring previously private communications and activities.

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