The Sustainable Value Framework represents a strategic approach that integrates the goals of People, Planet, and Profit, pushing organizations to evaluate their role in society by creating value not only economically but also socially and environmentally. Originating from environmental principles, sustainability now tackles challenges across all sectors—promoting practices that fulfill present needs while safeguarding resources […]
About Mark Bridges
Mark Bridges is a Senior Director of Strategy at Flevy. Flevy is your go-to resource for best practices in business management, covering management topics from Strategic Planning to Operational Excellence to Digital Transformation (view full list here). Learn how the Fortune 100 and global consulting firms do it. Improve the growth and efficiency of your organization by leveraging Flevy's library of best practice methodologies and templates. Prior to Flevy, Mark worked as an Associate at McKinsey & Co. and holds an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. You can connect with Mark on LinkedIn here.Author Archive | Mark Bridges
Strategic Group Analysis (SGA)
Competitive analysis is the backbone of strategic decision-making. By identifying an organization’s competitive landscape, leaders can get the lay of the land and see how to position their resources, enhance market presence, and minimize threats. However, a deeper look is sometimes required to understand clusters of competitors within this landscape, and that’s where the concept […]
Rumelt’s Strategy Evaluation Framework
Organizations too often fail at strategy, because they focus on buzzwords and lofty ambitions rather than applying practical frameworks. Richard Rumelt’s Strategy Evaluation Framework is a pragmatic tool for assessing whether an organization’s strategy is viable, realistic, and adaptable. Rumelt’s Strategy Evaluation Framework shines because it forces businesses to face real challenges: is this strategy […]
The Four Corners Analysis
Strategic Analysis remains at the heart of any successful organizational effort, providing a comprehensive view of both internal capabilities and external market conditions. It informs critical decisions on resource allocation, market opportunities, and risk mitigation, ensuring organizations remain agile and forward-thinking. Within this, competitor analysis takes center stage. The ability to anticipate a rival’s next […]
The CAGE Distance Framework
Global expansion is tough. Even the most seasoned executives can find themselves daunted by the complexities of entering new markets. The CAGE Distance Framework—crafted by strategy expert Pankaj Ghemawat—was designed to address this challenge. It’s not just about market entry, it’s a comprehensive tool that evaluates the “distance” between your home country and target markets […]
Componential Theory of Creativity
Organizations increasingly prioritize creativity as a competitive advantage in today’s competitive landscape. Creativity is the ability to generate innovative and valuable ideas, solutions, or products through imaginative thinking. It’s the spark that ignites innovation and drives progress, whether through intangible concepts like theories and compositions or tangible outputs like inventions and art. In today’s competitive […]
Positive Energy Networks
Organizations thrive based on the energy levels coursing through their teams. High-energy initiatives are synonymous with enthusiasm, collaboration, and productivity, where influential figures—referred to as “Energizers”—drive projects forward, infusing others with zeal. On the other hand, “De-energizers” suck the life out of teams, creating environments filled with dread and low morale. Understanding and managing this […]
TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) Tools
Modern industries face ongoing challenges in innovation and problem-solving. Unfortunately, traditional methods often fall short in addressing these complex issues effectively, necessitating a shift towards more sophisticated, structured approaches. Developed by Genrich Altshuller in the mid-20th century, TRIZ is based on analyzing global patents to identify common patterns in problem-solving, enabling organizations to resolve technical […]
Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) Methodology
Modern manufacturing faces the dual challenge of reducing environmental impact while maintaining productivity and profitability. Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) addresses such contradictions like improving material efficiency without compromising product quality or increasing production speed without escalating energy consumption. TRIZ, is a groundbreaking methodology developed by Soviet inventor Genrich Altshuller. Originating from an extensive […]
Stage-Gate Process
The high demand for innovation coupled with slim margins for error can overwhelm management, creating significant pressures across various sectors. The Stage-Gate Process, developed by Dr. Robert G. Cooper, stands out as a premier framework for managing these challenges. This process meticulously guides projects through a series of stages and gates, ensuring rigorous evaluation and […]
CATWOE Analysis
Problem solving is integral to the daily routines of executives and managers. Effective problem solving is critical for organizational success and involves a systematic approach to identifying, analyzing, and resolving issues. The CATWOE framework, part of the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), offers a structured way to address complex, ill-structured problems. Developed by Peter Checkland in […]
4 Zones of Organizational Energy
Boosting employee motivation and engagement levels is a constant struggle for executives. Technical and analytical competence has long dominated management focus, but scholars and executives now acknowledge the significant impact of emotions and opinions on corporate behavior. However, connecting emotions to performance goals still remains a challenge for most organizations. Leaders must go beyond merely creating […]
