Strategy Design for Flourishing: A Robust Method

Abstract

The Flourishing Enterprise Strategy Design Method is a robust procedure that helps leaders craft effective enterprise strategies in our increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. Informed by the latest science and practice, it enables leaders to create strategic paths for enterprises and their stakeholders to improve their performance financially, socially and environmentally. The method integrates business design and strategy techniques with vital science-based principles for flourishing. From an overall process perspective, the method employs the backcasting approach. From a strategic planning standpoint, the method hosts a strategic conversation about the stakeholder’s definition of success for the enterprise considering science-based principles. This occurs during an iterative co-creative systemic-design process focused on business modelling. Business modelling is enabled by the Flourishing Business Canvas: an innovative visual design tool aligned with the science-based principles. A case study of a medium-sized manufacturing business illustrates how the method is applied. Finally, the case is made for swift adoption of these innovative strategy methods by enterprises in all sectors and sizes to enable their powerful response to current climate challenges, to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and to go beyond to ensure the conditions for all life to flourish are re-enabled for future generations.