Traditional vs Exploratory Approaches to Growth

Most corporate managers manage an existing business where the planning context is purpose driven: Analyze the current situation, update the Plan to reflect the analysis and corporate targets, then Execute.

Success is measured by the accuracy of projections with the result companies set their sights lower, settling for incremental gains because they are more likely to provide the highest return in the short term.

Contrast this control mindset with one designed for exploration and innovative growth. In this ‘entrepreneurial’ paradigm the focus shifts from predictive to discovery.

It is first about thinking big, imagining beyond the comfort of the familiar. Execution is about reducing uncertainty, as fast and economically as possible, and adapting the opportunity to new learning. Change is expected and embraced as the opportunity evolves.

Success is measured by how well the initiative, whether it be a new growth strategy or a new product, reflects market realities.

To help organizations adopt an Imagine -> De-risk -> Adapt mindset we us a proprietary toolkit - Critical Assumption Planning^sm.