Flevy Management Insights Case Study
AeroTech Business Model Innovation for Commercial Aerospace Vertical


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Business Model Innovation 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 The commercial aerospace organization struggled with legacy systems amid rising competition and tech advancements. By adopting a new business model, it achieved a 20% reduction in time-to-market, a 30% boost in operational efficiency, and a 15% increase in customer retention, underscoring the need for effective Change Management and ongoing innovation.

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Consider this scenario: The organization in question operates within the commercial aerospace sector, facing the challenge of adapting its business model to the rapidly changing technological landscape and increasing competitive pressures.

With a heavy reliance on legacy systems and processes, the company is struggling to integrate innovative technologies and methodologies that could significantly enhance operational efficiency and market responsiveness. The aim is to reinvent the business model to capitalize on digital transformation opportunities, reduce time-to-market for new aerospace solutions, and create a more agile organization.



Given the situation, a preliminary hypothesis might suggest that the aerospace firm's challenges stem from an over-reliance on outdated technologies and a business model that does not effectively leverage modern digital capabilities. Another hypothesis could consider the possibility that the organization's existing value proposition is no longer aligned with customer expectations in a rapidly evolving market. Lastly, internal resistance to change and a lack of a clear strategic vision could be contributing to the stagnation of Business Model Innovation efforts.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The adoption of a structured, multi-phase methodology for Business Model Innovation offers numerous benefits, including a systematic approach to identifying and implementing change, minimizing risks, and maximizing the potential for sustainable competitive advantage. This established process is widely followed by leading management consulting firms.

  1. Assessment and Alignment: The first phase involves a comprehensive assessment of the current business model, identifying misalignments with market demands, and aligning leadership on the need for change. Key questions include: What are the core components of the current business model? How does it align with the strategic objectives, and what are the gaps?
  2. Opportunity Identification: The second phase focuses on identifying opportunities for innovation by analyzing market trends, customer needs, and technological advancements. This phase seeks answers to the questions: What are the emerging trends in aerospace technology? How can the organization differentiate its offerings?
  3. Concept Development: In this phase, new business model concepts are developed, leveraging insights from the previous phases. Key activities include ideation workshops and feasibility studies, aiming to answer: What are the viable new business model options? How do they deliver value?
  4. Prototyping and Testing: Here, selected business model concepts are prototyped and tested in controlled environments. Questions to address include: How do the prototypes perform under various market scenarios? What adjustments are required?
  5. Implementation Planning: This phase involves creating a detailed roadmap for implementing the new business model, including resource allocation, timelines, and change management strategies. It addresses the question: What are the steps required to operationalize the new business model?

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

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Business Model Innovation Implementation Challenges & Considerations

One key consideration is the integration of digital technologies into the new business model. Executives often question the scalability and security of such integrations, which must be addressed through robust IT infrastructure and data governance protocols.

Expected business outcomes include a reduction in time-to-market for new solutions by 20%, increased operational efficiency by 30%, and an enhanced customer experience leading to a 15% increase in customer retention.

Potential implementation challenges involve managing the cultural shift within the organization, ensuring all employees are aligned with the new business direction, and mitigating any resistance to change.

Business Model Innovation 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.


That which is measured improves. That which is measured and reported improves exponentially.
     – Pearson's Law

  • Time-to-Market Reduction: To measure the efficiency of the product development cycle.
  • Operational Cost Savings: To assess the financial impact of improved processes.
  • Customer Satisfaction Score: To gauge the effectiveness of the new business model in meeting customer needs.

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.

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Implementation Insights

During the implementation, it was observed that fostering a culture of continuous innovation was crucial for sustaining the new business model. According to McKinsey, companies that actively cultivate innovation mindsets see a 67% better success rate in their transformation efforts compared to those that do not.

Business Model Innovation Deliverables

  • Business Model Innovation Framework (PowerPoint)
  • Digital Transformation Roadmap (Excel)
  • Market Analysis Report (PDF)
  • Change Management Playbook (Word)
  • Risk Management Guidelines (PDF)

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Business Model Innovation Best Practices

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

Business Model Innovation Case Studies

Case studies from organizations like Boeing and Airbus have shown that embracing Business Model Innovation can lead to the development of new revenue streams, such as Boeing's venture into digital aviation and services, which is projected to become a $50 billion business over the next decade.

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Integrating Digital Technologies

Digital integration is a cornerstone of modern Business Model Innovation, particularly in sectors like aerospace where technology plays a pivotal role. Executives often seek to understand how to integrate new technologies without disrupting existing operations. The key is to adopt a phased approach, starting with pilot projects that allow for learning and iteration. This approach minimizes risk and provides tangible proof of concept that can help in scaling efforts across the organization. Moreover, it is essential to invest in building digital capabilities internally while also leveraging partnerships with tech companies for specialized expertise.

According to a 2021 report by Deloitte, 45% of organizations reported positive business outcomes from pilot digital initiatives, with many citing improved process efficiency and customer engagement. The success of these initiatives often depends on the organization's ability to create a culture that embraces digital experimentation and learning from failures.

Aligning Business Model Innovation with Strategy

Business Model Innovation must be closely aligned with the overall strategic direction of the company. Executives need to ensure that the new business model supports long-term strategic goals and addresses the core challenges identified. This involves setting clear innovation objectives, defining the metrics for success, and regularly reviewing progress against strategic goals. Leadership alignment is critical, as the C-suite must champion the innovation agenda and provide the necessary support and resources.

BCG's research highlights that companies with strong alignment between their innovation strategy and business strategy report 40% higher growth compared to those without such alignment. Ensuring that the Business Model Innovation aligns with the company's vision and strategic priorities is essential for achieving sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

Change Management for Business Model Innovation

Change management is often one of the most challenging aspects of implementing a new business model. Executives are tasked with leading the organization through the transition while maintaining operational stability. A well-structured change management program should include clear communication, stakeholder engagement, training programs, and mechanisms for feedback and adjustment. Leaders must be visible champions of change, articulating the vision and the value of the new business model to all levels of the organization.

Accenture's studies indicate that 87% of executives believe that an organization's ability to evolve its business model is a key determinant of success in the digital age. However, only 6% are satisfied with their innovation performance, pointing to the need for a more rigorous and structured approach to change management during Business Model Innovation initiatives.

Sustaining Innovation Post-Implementation

Sustaining innovation after the initial implementation of a new business model is crucial for long-term success. Executives must create an environment that encourages ongoing innovation and allows for continuous improvement. This involves setting up cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, and providing incentives for innovative thinking. It is also important to establish a governance structure that oversees innovation initiatives and ensures they remain aligned with strategic objectives.

A study by PwC found that companies that excel at continuous innovation generate 33% higher profitability compared to their peers. This underscores the importance of embedding innovation into the organizational fabric, making it a part of everyday operations rather than a one-time project.

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Key Findings and Results

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

  • Reduced time-to-market for new solutions by 20% through the implementation of the new business model.
  • Increased operational efficiency by 30% as a result of the new business model's processes and methodologies.
  • Enhanced customer experience leading to a 15% increase in customer retention, attributed to the successful implementation of the new business model.
  • Successfully integrated digital technologies into the new business model, resulting in improved process efficiency and customer engagement.
  • Challenges in managing the cultural shift within the organization and mitigating resistance to change during the implementation of the new business model.

The initiative has yielded significant positive results, including a 20% reduction in time-to-market for new solutions, a 30% increase in operational efficiency, and a 15% improvement in customer retention. These outcomes demonstrate the successful integration of digital technologies and the effective alignment of the new business model with strategic objectives. However, challenges in managing cultural shifts and mitigating resistance to change highlight areas for improvement. The organization could have enhanced outcomes by implementing more robust change management strategies and fostering a culture of continuous innovation from the outset. Alternative strategies could have involved more comprehensive communication and engagement plans to address resistance and align employees with the new business direction.

Building on the success of the implemented business model, the organization should focus on strengthening change management strategies and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. This can be achieved through comprehensive communication and engagement plans, ongoing training programs, and the establishment of cross-functional teams to drive innovation. Additionally, the organization should invest in building digital capabilities internally and consider partnerships with tech companies for specialized expertise to further enhance the integration of digital technologies into the business model.

Source: Telecom Business Model Transformation in Digital Services, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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