Check out our FREE Resources page – Download complimentary business frameworks, PowerPoint templates, whitepapers, and more.







Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Revenue Model Redesign for Industrial 3D Printing Firm


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 organization faced challenges in transitioning from a product-centric to a service-oriented business model, struggling with internal alignment and customer resistance. The successful implementation resulted in increased customer loyalty, a 15% growth in Monthly Recurring Revenue, and improved operational efficiency, highlighting the importance of effective Change Management and customer engagement strategies.

Reading time: 8 minutes

Consider this scenario: The organization is a mid-sized player in the industrial 3D printing space, grappling with the challenge of transitioning from a product-centric to a service-oriented business model.

The organization seeks to capitalize on the digital manufacturing trend and recurring revenue streams. However, it struggles to align its internal capabilities with the new model, facing resistance to change and a lack of clarity on how to monetize its innovative technologies effectively.



Given the organization's shift towards a service-oriented model, the preliminary assumption is that there is a misalignment between the organization's strategic intent and its operational capabilities. The second hypothesis could be that there is a lack of understanding of customer value perception in the context of service offerings. Lastly, it might be that the current revenue streams are not structured to capture the full value of the technological advancements made by the organization.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The organization can benefit from a structured, phased approach to redefining its business model. This methodology not only ensures a comprehensive analysis of the current state but also facilitates a systematic transition to the desired future state.

  1. Assessment of Current Business Model: Evaluate the existing revenue streams, cost structure, customer segments, and value proposition. Key questions include: How is the current business model performing? What are the competitive benchmarks? What are customer feedback and satisfaction levels?
  2. Market and Customer Analysis: Conduct in-depth market research and customer segmentation. Key activities involve identifying emerging trends in digital manufacturing and understanding customer needs for service-oriented models. This phase aims to uncover customer willingness to pay for new services.
  3. Conceptualization of New Business Models: Develop potential new business models. This phase involves brainstorming sessions, workshops, and prototyping to explore various revenue models, such as subscriptions, leasing, or pay-per-use. Key analyses include financial modeling and scenario planning.
  4. Validation and Testing: Test the new business model concepts with a select customer group to gather feedback and refine the offerings. This phase is crucial for risk mitigation and ensuring market fit for the new services.
  5. Implementation Planning: Create a detailed roadmap for the transition, including change management strategies, resource allocation, and timelines. Interim deliverables include a project management plan and a communication strategy to manage stakeholder expectations.

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

Business Model Innovation (30-slide PowerPoint deck)
Business Model Innovation (BMI) (27-slide PowerPoint deck)
Business Model Innovation (152-slide PowerPoint deck)
Four Approaches to Business Model Innovation (BMI) (23-slide PowerPoint deck)
Business Model Innovation (BMI): Business Model Journey (29-slide PowerPoint deck)
View additional Business Model Innovation best practices

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Business Model Innovation Implementation Challenges & Considerations

In adopting the new business model, the organization must anticipate the transformational impact on its operations, culture, and customer relationships. Securing buy-in from internal stakeholders and training employees to deliver service excellence are critical for success. Additionally, the organization must consider the scalability of the new model and the potential need for partnerships or alliances.

Expected business outcomes include increased customer loyalty due to a more personalized service offering, enhanced revenue predictability through recurring payments, and a stronger competitive position by leveraging the organization's technological innovations. The company may also see an improved valuation as it transitions to a more attractive business model for investors.

Potential implementation challenges include resistance to change within the organization, the complexity of integrating new IT systems to support the service model, and ensuring quality control and consistency in service delivery.

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.


What gets measured gets done, what gets measured and fed back gets done well, what gets rewarded gets repeated.
     – John E. Jones

  • Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Measures the efficiency of the new model in attracting customers.
  • Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): Indicates the total value a customer brings over their relationship with the organization.
  • Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): Tracks the predictable revenue generated from the service model.
  • Service Profit Margin: Assesses the profitability of the new service offerings.

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, the organization realized the importance of aligning incentives with the new business model. Sales teams needed new compensation structures to encourage service sales over product sales. According to McKinsey, companies that align their incentive structures with their business model innovations are 5.4 times more likely to report profit margin growth than those that do not.

Another insight was the critical role of customer success teams in ensuring customer satisfaction and reducing churn. These teams became strategic assets, driving adoption and value realization of the new services offered.

Business Model Innovation Deliverables

  • Business Model Canvas (PowerPoint)
  • Service Offering Playbook (MS Word)
  • Customer Segmentation Analysis (Excel)
  • Change Management Plan (PowerPoint)
  • Revenue Projections Model (Excel)

Explore more Business Model Innovation deliverables

Business Model Innovation Case Studies

A case study from an aerospace company showed that transitioning from selling engines to providing "power by the hour" significantly boosted their service revenue and deepened customer relationships. A construction equipment manufacturer found success by offering equipment-as-a-service, which allowed it to enter new markets and increase equipment utilization rates.

Explore additional related case studies

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.

Aligning Organizational Structure with Business Model Innovation

Adapting an organization's structure to support a new business model is critical. It's not just about redefining roles and responsibilities; it's about ensuring that the structure fosters the right culture, promotes agility, and supports the innovation process. According to BCG, companies that integrate cross-functional teams in their innovation processes can speed up development times by up to 30%.

Executives should consider establishing dedicated innovation teams with the autonomy to make decisions quickly. This can involve setting up separate business units focused on new service offerings or creating innovation cells within existing structures. The key is to balance freedom with alignment to the broader business goals.

Customer Adaptation to New Service Models

Customers' acceptance and adaptation to new service models can be a concern. It is vital to communicate the value proposition clearly and to demonstrate how the new model creates additional value for them. Market research indicates that early adopters are often more open to innovative models, which can create a ripple effect in the market. For instance, Gartner highlights that companies that actively engage customers during the development of new service models see up to a 50% increase in adoption rates.

It is important to have a robust customer education and onboarding process. This might include comprehensive guides, interactive webinars, or personalized consultations. Ensuring that frontline employees are well-trained to address customer queries and concerns is also crucial to facilitate a smooth transition for customers.

Technology Enablement for Service-Oriented Models

Technology plays a pivotal role in enabling service-oriented business models. The right technology stack can provide the necessary infrastructure to deliver services efficiently and at scale. According to Accenture, 90% of executives believe that technology is critical to the success of service-based models. This includes the use of cloud platforms, IoT for product-service systems, and data analytics to understand customer usage patterns and preferences.

Investing in technology should be seen as a strategic move rather than a cost center. The technology stack should be scalable, secure, and flexible enough to adapt to changing business needs. Executives should work closely with their IT departments or technology partners to ensure that the technology infrastructure aligns with the strategic goals of the business model innovation.

Managing the Transition from Product to Service

The transition from a product-centric to a service-oriented business model is often fraught with challenges, including cultural resistance and the need to develop new capabilities. A study by McKinsey shows that successful transformations are 1.5 times more likely to use more than one action to drive change, such as leadership role modeling, communication, capability building, and performance management.

Leaders must be proactive in managing this transition by setting clear expectations, providing the necessary training, and aligning incentives with the new model. It is also essential to monitor the transition closely, using KPIs to measure progress and adjust the strategy as needed. Open communication and involving employees in the change process can help to minimize resistance and foster a culture of innovation.

Financial Implications of Business Model Innovation

Business model innovation can have significant financial implications, including changes in revenue streams and cost structures. Executives must ensure that the financial modeling of new business models is robust and that there is a clear understanding of the cash flow implications. According to Deloitte, 70% of businesses that successfully innovate their business models report improved financial performance within the first year.

It is important to set realistic expectations about the financial outcomes of business model innovation. While some models may lead to immediate revenue growth, others may take time to mature. Executives should be prepared for this and plan accordingly, ensuring that there is sufficient capital to support the business during the transition period.

Additional Resources Relevant to Business Model Innovation

Here are additional best practices relevant to Business Model Innovation from the Flevy Marketplace.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Key Findings and Results

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

  • Increased customer loyalty as evidenced by a 20% improvement in customer retention rates post-implementation.
  • Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) grew by 15% within the first year, indicating a successful shift towards recurring payments.
  • Service Profit Margin enhanced by 8%, reflecting higher profitability of the new service offerings.
  • Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) reduced by 12%, showcasing the efficiency of the new business model in attracting customers.
  • Implementation of new IT systems led to a 30% increase in operational efficiency, supporting the service model effectively.
  • Encountered a 10% churn rate among traditional product-centric customers resistant to the transition.

The results of the business model innovation initiative reveal a successful transition towards a service-oriented model, with significant improvements in customer loyalty, revenue predictability, and operational efficiency. The increase in MRR and service profit margin validates the strategic shift, leveraging the organization's technological innovations for enhanced competitive positioning. However, the initiative faced challenges, notably the churn among traditional customers resistant to change, underscoring the difficulty in managing customer adaptation to new service models. While the reduction in CAC and the efficiency gains from new IT systems are commendable, these achievements highlight the critical role of technology and the need for effective change management in such transformations. Alternative strategies, such as more targeted communication and value proposition adjustments for traditional customers, might have mitigated the churn rate.

For next steps, it is recommended to focus on deepening customer engagement through personalized service offerings and loyalty programs, aimed at further reducing churn among traditional customers. Additionally, investing in advanced analytics to gain deeper insights into customer behavior and preferences can inform continuous improvement of the service model. Strengthening the feedback loop with customers to refine and adapt service offerings will be key to sustaining growth and profitability. Finally, ongoing training and development for employees, particularly in customer-facing roles, will ensure the organization remains agile and responsive to market needs.

Source: Business Model Innovation for a Global Telecommunications Firm, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials




Additional Flevy Management Insights

Business Model Revamp for Boutique Hotel Chain in Competitive Market

Scenario: A boutique hotel chain operates in a highly competitive urban market and has been grappling with stagnant growth.

Read Full Case Study

Business Model Innovation for Ecommerce in Beauty Sector

Scenario: A firm operating within the ecommerce beauty sector is grappling with the challenge of differentiating its business model in a rapidly saturating online market.

Read Full Case Study

Telecom Business Model Innovation for Digital Services Expansion

Scenario: The organization is a mid-sized telecom operator in North America focused on expanding its digital services portfolio to capture new market segments and diversify revenue streams.

Read Full Case Study

Strategic Business Model Redesign for Automotive Supplier in Competitive Landscape

Scenario: The organization in question is a mid-sized automotive supplier that operates in a highly competitive market niche.

Read Full Case Study

Business Model Innovation for a Digital Healthcare Provider

Scenario: A mid-sized digital healthcare provider in North America is grappling with a saturated market and declining profitability.

Read Full Case Study

Online Learning Platform Strategy in Educational Services

Scenario: A leading online learning platform is at a crossroads, needing business model innovation to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving educational services market.

Read Full Case Study

Operational Efficiency Strategy for Telecom Service Providers in Asia

Scenario: A major telecom service provider in Asia is at a crossroads, requiring business model innovation to stay competitive.

Read Full Case Study

Business Model Innovation Strategy for Specialty Trade Contractors in North America

Scenario: A leading specialty trade contractor in North America is at a crossroads, facing the imperative of Business Model Innovation.

Read Full Case Study

Business Model Innovation for a Global Telecommunications Provider

Scenario: A leading global telecommunications provider, faced with declining revenues and market share, is seeking to innovate its business model.

Read Full Case Study

Digital Transformation Strategy for Boutique Fitness Studios

Scenario: A boutique fitness studio chain is grappling with the necessity for business model innovation amidst a highly saturated market.

Read Full Case Study

Digital Transformation Strategy for Oil & Gas Supply Chain Optimization

Scenario: A mid-sized organization in the oil and gas industry is facing significant challenges in adapting its business model innovation to meet the digital age demands.

Read Full Case Study

Customer-Centric Strategy for Financial Services in Digital Banking

Scenario: A leading digital bank, known for its innovative approach to financial services, is at a crossroads requiring business model innovation to stay ahead.

Read Full Case Study

Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.