Schatzkiste

Canvases are a great way to develop, visualize and discuss ideas in a group. Here is a selection of key tools from our large collection that we use time and again:

The Business Model Canvas (BMC) is an excellent tool for entrepreneurs and managers to use when creating or revising a business model. It helps identify and analyze key decisions about a product, customer segments, value proposition, channels, cost structure, and revenue streams.

The BMC can also be used (made even easier by our „overlay“) internally to focus the „business models“ of departments in larger organizations. See our blog post here.

The Lean Canvas by Ash Maurya builds upon the BMC by focusing on reducing risk before investing in a full-fledged business model.

The Value Proposition Canvas (VPC) is an excellent tool for generating ideas about the value proposition of a product or service. It helps explore customer needs and pains to develop targeted features and benefits.

The Blue Ocean Canvas is an effective tool for helping organizations identify uncontested market spaces to create new customer value. It helps companies explore alternative strategies in order to differentiate themselves from the competition and generate sustained growth. More about it at Blue Ocean’s website.

Our Innovation Strategy Canvas combines the approach of the Blue Ocean Canvas with concepts derived from the go3consulting Innovation Compass to provide a more objective tool for competitive analysis and the identification of market opportunities.

Porter’s Five Forces is a framework that helps businesses evaluate competition and develop effective strategies. It examines five key forces to understand industry dynamics: competitive rivalry, bargaining power of buyers and suppliers, threat of new entrants, and substitute products/services. By leveraging this model, businesses can identify opportunities and threats, adapt their strategies, and secure a stronger position for sustainable growth and success. Our canvas helps visualize and discuss a business‘ situation collaboratively.

The Impact Statement Madlib helps to clarify and rank desired business impacts. We apply it, e.g., to situations where organizations want to implement OKRs but have not agreed on a coherent strategy yet.

The Project Portfolio Canvas aids a team discussion about the feasibility and the comparative value of a project portfolio.

ERIC (Eliminate/Reduce/Increase/Create) is a versatile tool that originates in the context of Kim’s & Mauborgne’s Blue Ocean Strategy work but can be applied to many other situations.

All Canvases are provided as downloadable (right click!) and scalable PDFs that can be printed/plotted for work with sticky notes, used with Miro or Mural, or imported elsewhere. Copyrights and Creative Commons licenses apply as indicated.

Here is our selection of key books that we believe provide insight into managing organizations, leading teams better, defining a long-term strategy, and driving market success:

Richard Rumelt’s „Good Strategy Bad Strategy“ is a compelling exploration of the critical elements that differentiate effective strategic planning from mere wishful thinking. Rumelt demystifies the concept of strategy, providing readers with a clear understanding of what constitutes a good strategy and how to avoid common pitfalls that lead to bad strategy. By emphasizing the importance of focusing on key challenges, leveraging unique advantages, and crafting coherent action plans, Rumelt offers a practical framework for developing and executing powerful strategies that drive meaningful change and sustainable growth.

„Blue Ocean Strategy“ by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne examines how companies can develop uncontested market space and create new demand in order to succeed. While a challenging concept in a fast-changing digital business environment, the idea and the tools (see also the canvases and templates section)

Rita McGrath’s book, „The End of Competitive Advantage,“ challenges traditional thinking on business strategy. She argues that organizations must exploit temporary advantages to stay competitive in a constantly changing market. Her work offers practical advice for leaders looking to cultivate innovation and growth within their organizations.

„Lead from the Future“ by Mark Johnson and Josh Suskewicz guides business leaders to adopt a future-focused mindset using „future-back thinking.“ By planning proactively and challenging the status quo, leaders can create transformative change and build resilient organizations that thrive amidst uncertainty.

„The Innovator’s Dilemma“ by Clayton M. Christensen is a classic on the power of disruptive innovation. Christensen’s insights on how to identify new markets and opportunities for growth are essential reading for any business leader looking to stay ahead of the competition.

Joshua Seiden’s „Outcomes Over Output“ suggests that businesses can achieve greater success by setting clear, outcome-oriented goals that align with their overall strategy. This approach fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, where teams are empowered to pursue impactful solutions to drive desired results.

In „The Leader’s Guide to Radical Management,“ Stephen Denning presents a transformative approach to leadership and management that challenges conventional wisdom and equips business leaders with the mindset and tools necessary to thrive in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving marketplace. Denning outlines seven key principles that underpin radical management, emphasizing the importance of customer-centricity, continuous innovation, empowered teams, and dynamic communication. The book offers practical guidance on how to embrace these principles, foster an agile work environment, and create a culture of learning and adaptability that drives sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

„Team of Teams“ by Stanley McChrystal offers valuable insights for leaders looking to improve organizational agility. Based on his experience leading complex teams in Iraq, McChrystal argues for a decentralized approach to decision-making and problem-solving in today’s fast-paced and interconnected world. His strategies can help organizations foster a collaborative culture that adapts to change and uncertainty.

„Team Topologies“ by Manuel Pais and Michael Skelton is a practical book that offers a new approach to organizational design. The book draws from real-world experiences and case studies to present a framework for evolving team structures and communication pathways for increased collaboration, innovation, and efficiency. It’s a must-read for leaders seeking to transform their organization’s approach to developing effective organizational structures for the digital age.

„Value Proposition Design“ by Alexander Osterwalder is a must-read for business leaders and entrepreneurs. It offers a practical methodology for creating products and services that meet customer needs and drive satisfaction and loyalty. It’s a valuable guide for standing out in a competitive market and achieving sustainable growth.

In „The Invincible Company,“ Alexander Osterwalder builds upon his previous works to provide business leaders with a comprehensive guide for achieving long-lasting success and resilience. The book presents a compelling framework for continuously exploring new growth opportunities while simultaneously managing and optimizing existing business models. By combining practical tools, real-world examples, and actionable insights, „The Invincible Company“ equips readers with the knowledge and strategies needed to transform their organizations into agile, future-proof enterprises.

„Inspired“ by Marty Cagan is an ivaluable resource for product managers and business leaders seeking to develop successful, user-centric products that drive growth and innovation. Drawing from his extensive experience in the field, Cagan offers insightful guidance on the principles, processes, and best practices that underpin effective product management. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and customer empathy, empowering product teams to create solutions that address real user needs and deliver tangible value. „Inspired“ is an essential read for anyone looking to hone their product management skills and create impactful products that delight customers and drive lasting success for their organization.

„Empowered“ by Marty Cagan is an indispensable guide for business leaders and product managers striving to create innovative, customer-centric product organizations for today’s rapidly evolving markets. Building on the foundations laid in his previous work, „Inspired,“ Cagan delves deeper into the principles and practices that enable product teams to excel in their roles and deliver outstanding results. He highlights the importance of empowering teams with the autonomy, trust, and resources necessary to experiment, learn, and iterate quickly. By offering practical advice and real-world examples, „Empowered“ equips readers with the tools and insights needed to foster a high-performance culture, drive continuous improvement, and ultimately achieve lasting success in the competitive world of product development.

„Hooked“ by Nir Eyal is a groundbreaking exploration of the psychology behind habit-forming products and the strategies that drive customer engagement and retention. Drawing from years of research and real-world examples, Eyal presents a powerful framework for designing products that create lasting habits, fostering deep connections between users and their digital experiences. He delves into the „Hook Model,“ a four-step process that encompasses trigger, action, variable reward, and investment, providing actionable insights for businesses seeking to create products that not only capture attention but also foster loyalty and repeat usage. „Hooked“ is an essential read for product managers looking to harness the power of habit to build successful customer-centric products.

In „Continuous Discovery Habits,“ Teresa Torres presents a comprehensive guide for product teams and business leaders seeking to embrace customer-centric practices and drive innovation in their organizations. Drawing from her extensive experience as a product discovery coach, Torres introduces a powerful framework that emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, experimentation, and validation to develop products that truly resonate with target customers. „Continuous Discovery Habits“ is an essential read for anyone looking to transform their product development process and create solutions that deliver lasting value and delight customers.