Transformation and adaptability are highly relevant in the business world. Therefore, companies should not be afraid of change, but see it as an opportunity for improvement and innovation. TCI - Transformation Consulting International can support you as a network of independent experts in all dimensions of a transformation, from corporate strategy and business model to technology and people. TCI is technology agnostic and can deliver rapid results as well as implement sustainable transformations. The importance of employees and corporate culture in planning and implementing change must be considered throughout the process. We recommend simply getting started and going through the process of digitizing your business model step by step.

Every journey begins with the first step - Discovery analyses & starting points

The successful implementation of a business model requires a methodical and holistic approach. It is important to accompany and manage the entire transformation process from start to finish. A holistic and well-founded transformation methodology is of crucial importance. There are several steps and aspects that should be taken into account.

Start-up scouting

Start-up scouting is an important part of business transformation as it can help companies to identify innovative ideas and technologies that can contribute to reshaping their business model. It also includes identifying, approaching and collaborating with start-ups and conducting due diligence. 

Ideation Workshops

Every transformation begins with the first step - brainstorming. This includes analyzing the market and competition and identifying relevant starting points. Discovery workshops can help to create a longlist/shortlist of ideas and evaluate them. It is also important to create hypotheses for validation.

Concept validations

The validation of the concept includes market and trend analyses, competitor analyses and expert interviews. It is also important to design the customer journey and create a value proposition canvas. The definition of personas and the creation of click dummies/mock-ups/rapid prototypes can also be helpful.

Product-market fit analyses

The main focus here is on validating the concept based on expert interviews, market and trend analyses and an analysis of the competitive environment. These analyses serve to ensure that a product or business model meets a real need in the market and is accepted by the target group.

Business model development

The development of the business model includes the definition of a response strategy and the question of how the current business model will be further developed or renewed. It is also important to create business scenarios and a business plan and to carry out investment and cash planning.

MVP Building & Technologies

The creation of an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is an important step. This can be achieved through low/no-code solutions, rapid prototyping and prioritizing feature backlogs. It is also important to consider UX/UI design and utilize technologies such as IoT, AI/KI, Blockchain, Big Data/Analytics and App & Platform Capabilities.

Implementation and continuity

After the development and consolidation of ideas and the first, rapid prototyping, the further transformation is planned. This includes making decisions about the next steps and quick wins, planning the financial impact, deciding on make-or-buy/venture-building, planning skill and team changes as well as external impulses (knowledge transfer) and planning the roadmap of prioritized and coordinated measures.

What happens next?

After the development/consolidation of ideas and initial, rapid prototyping, the further transformation is planned

• Decision-making about next steps and quick wins
• Does the change affect the company's core business or peripheral processes?
• Planning the financial impact (investment, business planning, ...)
• Decision on make-or-buy/venture-building
• Planning skill and team changes as well as external impulses (knowledge transfer)
• Planning the roadmap of prioritized and coordinated measures
• Start of implementation

TCI brings together all the necessary skills from the network - tailored to your company's situation!

Our recommendation: Just get started

It is important to simply get started and go through the process step by step. Examples show how companies have successfully changed their business model, such as an office furniture manufacturer that has expanded its B2B business model to include a subscription model, or a software manufacturer that has changed its business model from on-premise to cloud, or a chemical company that has developed a new business model in the field of energy trading based on various energy sources and producers.

TCI specializes in transforming companies and making them fit for the future

Our USP

• Holistic and well-founded transformation methodology
• Guaranteed consistency and continuity in the transformation from the initial idea to the established business model
• We deliver fast results via rapid prototyping and reliable planning for further development - tailored to the company's risk appetite
• We are able to accompany and manage the end-to-end transformation process, from the first quick results to the establishment of a new model
• Through our network, we provide both research and development expertise, depending on what is required, when and to what extent

Our strategy

We analyze companies and their market environment, identify sales potential, develop sustainable digital business concepts and draw up specific recommendations for action

Our implementation know-how

Whether it's a prototype, a new sales channel, the establishment of a new venture or the integration of start-ups - we build your digital business with innovative technologies from a single source and ensure a rapid contribution to sales and EBIT.

TCI knows and considers all dimensions of a digital transformation

• Content fit for derivation from the corporate strategy
• Implications for the operating model (processes and organization)
• Technology: TCI is technology-agnostic and able to deliver both rapid results and sustainable transformations
• People - we understand the implications for employees, the organization and the culture. The planning and sustainable implementation of change for employees in terms of roles and skills is part of TCI's DNA
• From the idea to the optimization of an established business model

What makes our business transformation so successful

Our consulting approach is characterized by the fact that it successfully combines strategic and technological expertise with the potential of the client organization and the people working in it.

The Enterprise Transformation Cycle forms the methodological basis for this. It serves the goal of giving equal consideration to the economic success, independence and resilience of the customer organization.

Das Methoden-Portfolio umfasst alle modernen Innovations,- Management- und Kooperations-Tools. Von Design Thinking über Business Modelling und OKR bis Scrum oder Kanban. This enables us to produce fast results and maximum customer benefit with a lean setup.

About the authors

Axel Bülow is Managing Partner of TCI and IT Management Coach. His work focuses on digital transformation and ensuring the future viability of organizations. He is a global IT Executive & Trusted Advisor with 25+ years of leadership and program management experience with a focus on large business and IT transformations.

Christoph Hölzlwimmer is a partner at TCI and a digitalization expert. The focus of his work is on the digitalization of business models. He has 25+ years of experience in the internet economy in building and scaling companies, digital teams and corporate ventures. He also conducts fundraising and M&A projects and manages due diligence projects.

Source cover image: © photon_photo | Adobe Stock