Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Telecom Business Model Redesign for Enhanced Market Penetration
     David Tang    |    Business Model Design


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Business Model Design to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A leading telecom firm faced declining market share due to an outdated Business Model Design and challenges in innovation amidst rapid technological changes. Post-implementation, the company achieved an 8% increase in market share and a 12% rise in revenue, demonstrating the importance of aligning business strategies with customer-centric approaches and digital transformation.

Reading time: 8 minutes

Consider this scenario: A leading telecom firm is grappling with diminishing market share in a highly competitive sector.

The organization's existing business model has been rendered obsolete by rapid technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences. With a legacy structure that is not conducive to agile decision-making, the organization is struggling to innovate and capitalize on emerging market opportunities. The need to revamp its Business Model Design is imperative to sustain growth and profitability in the digital age.



The immediate hypothesis is that the organization's current challenges stem from an outdated business model and an organizational structure that impedes agility. Another hypothesis could be that there is a misalignment between the company's value proposition and the evolving needs of the market. Finally, it might be that the revenue streams and cost structures are not optimized for the current competitive landscape.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

A structured 5-phase approach to Business Model Design can systematically address the organization's challenges. This proven methodology enhances strategic clarity and operational efficiency, leading to a robust and responsive business model.

  1. Assessment of Current Business Model: Analyze the existing model to understand value creation and capture mechanisms. Review revenue streams, cost structure, customer segments, and value proposition. Identify inefficiencies and areas for innovation.
  2. Market and Competitive Analysis: Conduct thorough market analysis to understand customer needs, preferences, and trends. Assess competitive landscape to identify best practices and strategic positioning.
  3. Design of New Business Model: Develop a new business model canvas that aligns with market realities and leverages the company's core competencies. Explore alternative revenue streams and pricing strategies.
  4. Implementation Planning: Create a detailed implementation roadmap, with clear milestones, resource allocation, and change management strategies. Ensure alignment with broader strategic objectives.
  5. Monitoring and Iteration: Establish metrics to measure the performance of the new model. Regularly review progress and iterate based on feedback and changing market conditions.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Business Model Design best practices:

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Business Model Canvas: Guide, Process and Tools (43-slide PowerPoint deck)
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Business Model Design Implementation Challenges & Considerations

An executive might question how the new business model will ensure competitiveness in the digital economy. The design will incorporate digital transformation strategies to enhance customer engagement and streamline operations. Another concern may be the integration of new revenue streams without disrupting current operations. The methodology includes a phased implementation plan to minimize operational disruptions. Executives will also be interested in the speed of execution; therefore, the approach emphasizes quick wins and agile methodologies to accelerate transformation.

Upon successful implementation, the organization can expect improved market share due to a more compelling value proposition, increased operational efficiency leading to cost savings, and revenue growth from new streams. These outcomes are quantifiable through increased profitability metrics and customer satisfaction scores.

Implementation challenges could include resistance to change from within the organization and the complexity of integrating new technologies. Addressing these will require a robust change management plan and effective communication strategies.

Business Model Design KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Tell me how you measure me, and I will tell you how I will behave.
     – Eliyahu M. Goldratt

  • Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): To gauge the efficiency of marketing investments in driving customer growth.
  • Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): To understand the long-term value of customers acquired.
  • Net Promoter Score (NPS): To measure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Revenue Growth Rate: To monitor the financial performance of the new business model.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Implementation Insights

Throughout the implementation, one insight was the critical role of cross-functional teams in fostering innovation and executing the new business model. Teams that combined IT, marketing, and customer service expertise were able to deliver comprehensive solutions that significantly enhanced customer experience.

Another key learning was that customer data analytics can greatly inform the design of personalized value propositions, leading to higher customer retention rates. According to a report by McKinsey, companies that leverage customer behavior data to generate insights outperform peers by 85% in sales growth and more than 25% in gross margin.

Lastly, it became evident that a phased approach to implementation helped the organization to manage risks and adapt to market feedback more effectively.

Business Model Design Deliverables

  • Business Model Canvas (PowerPoint)
  • Market Analysis Report (PDF)
  • Strategic Roadmap (PowerPoint)
  • Change Management Plan (MS Word)
  • Performance Dashboard (Excel)

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Business Model Design Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Business Model Design. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Business Model Design subject matter experts.

Business Model Design Case Studies

A global telecom player implemented a new business model that emphasized digital services, resulting in a 30% increase in digital revenue within two years. A regional telecom company redesigned its business model to focus on niche markets, achieving a 15% increase in market share. An established telecom firm realigned its business model to prioritize customer experience, leading to a 20% improvement in customer satisfaction scores.

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Aligning Organizational Structure with the New Business Model

The redesign of a business model often necessitates a corresponding change in organizational structure to support new ways of working. It's essential to ensure that the structure facilitates, rather than hinders, the strategic objectives of the new model. This might involve flattening hierarchies to promote agility, redefining roles to align with new processes, or creating cross-functional teams to enhance collaboration.

According to BCG, companies that realign their structures to support new business models can see a 12% higher annual increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) than those that do not. The key is to design an organizational structure that is flexible and can evolve as the business model and market conditions change. This requires a clear understanding of the capabilities needed to drive the new strategy and a commitment to developing or acquiring them.

Ensuring Technology Alignment with Business Strategy

Technology is a critical enabler of any modern business model, particularly in the telecom industry. The new business model must be underpinned by a robust digital infrastructure that supports its strategic objectives. This means investing in the right technologies, such as cloud computing, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence, to drive innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Accenture research indicates that 79% of C-level executives believe that the future competitiveness of their organization will be determined by the strength of their technology strategy. As such, it's imperative to conduct a thorough technology audit and develop a clear roadmap that aligns IT investments with business goals. This roadmap should be flexible enough to accommodate emerging technologies and scalable to support growth.

Customer Centricity in Business Model Design

At the heart of any successful business model redesign, especially in telecom, lies a deep understanding of customer needs and behaviors. The design process must be grounded in customer insights, with a focus on delivering superior value and a differentiated experience. This customer-centric approach should permeate all levels of the organization and inform decision-making.

Forrester's Customer Experience Index shows that telecom companies leading in customer experience have a 1.9 times higher growth rate in total revenue than their competitors. Therefore, embedding customer-centricity in the new business model is not just about improving satisfaction scores; it's a strategic imperative that can drive financial performance. It requires a systematic approach to gathering and analyzing customer data and the agility to respond rapidly to customer feedback and market trends.

Measuring Success and Performance Post-Implementation

After implementing a new business model, it's vital to establish a set of metrics that can effectively measure success. These metrics should not only track financial performance but also gauge customer engagement, operational efficiency, and innovation. Establishing a balanced scorecard that reflects a range of strategic, operational, and financial KPIs is essential to obtain a holistic view of performance.

According to a KPMG study, 91% of CEOs believe that agility is the new currency of business. Incorporating agile principles into performance measurement allows organizations to adjust and refine their business models in response to real-time feedback and market changes. This level of responsiveness is key to maintaining a competitive edge in the dynamic telecom industry.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Enhanced market share by 8% within the first year post-implementation, attributed to a more compelling value proposition.
  • Operational efficiency improvements led to a 15% reduction in costs, particularly in customer service and IT operations.
  • Introduced two new revenue streams, contributing to a 12% increase in overall revenue.
  • Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) improved by 20%, driven by personalized value propositions informed by customer data analytics.
  • Net Promoter Score (NPS) increased by 10 points, reflecting higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Successfully integrated digital transformation strategies, enhancing customer engagement and operational streamlining.

The initiative's success is evident in the significant improvements across key performance indicators, including market share, revenue growth, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction metrics. The introduction of new revenue streams and the reduction in operational costs underscore the effectiveness of the new business model in aligning with current market demands and leveraging digital transformation. The increase in CLV and NPS further validates the strategic focus on customer-centricity, proving its value in driving financial performance and competitive advantage. However, the journey was not without its challenges, particularly in managing organizational resistance to change and integrating new technologies. Alternative strategies, such as a more aggressive change management approach or earlier technology adoption, might have further enhanced these outcomes.

For next steps, it is recommended to continue iterating the business model based on ongoing market feedback and technological advancements. Investing in advanced data analytics and AI technologies could provide deeper insights into customer behavior, enabling even more personalized and value-driven customer experiences. Additionally, expanding the cross-functional teams to include more diverse expertise could foster further innovation and agility. Finally, a continuous focus on change management and organizational culture is essential to sustain momentum and ensure long-term success.

Source: Business Model Redesign for Ecommerce Platform in Health and Wellness, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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