I have been spending a lot of my time working through Business Ecosystems, trying to get a decent “handle” on what matters as the most critical dynamics and, secondly, why ecosystems are rising in importance to support reshaping multiple business landscapes and determine what practices will unlock value and impact.

Staggering as it might seem, 86% of clients perceive ecosystems offered by firms to be very similar and want to know why their time and investment in any Ecosystem will enable them to stand out and be differentiated with all its potential disruption in the risks it can pose.

Ecosystems are complex, and I have been trying to encapsulate a (more) concise positioning statement to amplify what needs to be considered and where I think I can really help. Ecosystems are so important in our designs for the future, and a collaborative approach combining expertise, diversity, and knowledge is needed.

There is a real need to craft bespoke strategies that will leverage distinct strengths. What sets those advising apart in a crowded field of advisors and solution providers and can create the points of differentiation needed?

I was prompted to do this reassessment because of this startling point made.

So where did this 86% of clients not perceiving ecosystems as differentiating enough come from?

I was reading a piece of research in the past week from Source, a global research firm called “Emerging Trends: Ecosystems.”

The report reviews the key dynamics, how clients interact with ecosystems in practice, and suggestions for differentiating. The report structures under 1) what really matters, 2) the importance of ecosystems, 3) ecosystems in practice, 4) differentiation and 5) client suggestions for winning more work and showing value in applying ecosystems.

The report contains a sound number of messages on how to differentiate and what is needed, but it triggers a lot of deeper evaluation and reflection for me.

I went through my own evaluation of differentiation

Within this evaluation, I worked with a generative AI tool to build up my thinking and provide a space for plenty of interactions, stimulation, debate and building up of my positioning.

After a number of different attempts, dialogues, and further research, where my constant thought-provoking went, this emerged as a good place to be. It represents me and what I feel I can offer in an expanded version—something distinct and valuable.

“In today’s interconnected business world, success hinges on navigating complex ecosystems. I advise, mentor and coach in helping organizations thrive in this interconnected landscape by focusing on what truly matters: building solid relationships, aligning cultures, developing critical capabilities and recognizing what new value and potential ecosystems can have on a business in impact and growth.

My approach tackles the rising importance of ecosystems head-on, providing expert guidance to turn aspirations and visions into challenges and opportunities. I also dive deeper into the practical aspects of ecosystem interactions, ensuring you’re equipped with the right skills and insights to maximize value.

I can help you unlock and articulate your unique ecosystem value proposition, differentiating your approach in a crowded market. My research puts a finger on the pulse of emerging trends and practices within my work. We seek to position you as an innovative thought leader in your industry to take your thinking into a focused outcome that can be built into a business of real value in time and commitment.

From strategic focus to practical understanding, from value creation to future-proofing validations, we offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to elevate your position and performance within your business ecosystem.“

Let us help you transform complexity into competitive advantage.

My Offerings in Business Ecosystems advisory services

1. Focusing on What Truly Matters

• What are the most critical dynamics in your ecosystem?
  • Analyzing and prioritizing key ecosystem interactions
  • Mapping interdependencies and influence networks
• How can we build stronger relationships and trust networks?
  • Facilitating trust-building workshops and activities
  • Designing collaborative platforms for seamless partner integration
• In what ways do culture and capabilities shape collaborative potential?
  • Assessing Organizational Culture Compatibility
  • Identifying and developing crucial collaborative capabilities

2. The Rising Importance of Ecosystems

• How is increasing complexity reshaping your business landscape?
  • Conducting environmental scans and trend analysis
  • Facilitating scenario planning sessions for future challenges
• Where do you need expertise to navigate these changes?
  • Providing specialized knowledge in ecosystem management
  • Offering tailored consulting for ecosystem strategy development
• What opportunities arise from ecosystem-driven market approaches?
  • Identifying new market entry points through partnerships
  • Developing strategies for accelerated growth via ecosystem leverage

3. Ecosystem Interactions in Practice

• What makes specific interactions more valuable than others?
  • Analyzing interaction patterns to identify high-value touchpoints
  • Optimizing communication channels for maximum impact
• How can we bridge gaps in knowledge and stimulate engagement?
  • Designing knowledge-sharing platforms and processes
  • Facilitating cross-functional and cross-organizational learning
• Which skills and insights are essential for thriving in your ecosystem?
  • Conducting skill gap analyses for ecosystem participation
  • Developing targeted training programs for ecosystem success

4. Unlocking Value and Impact

• How can ecosystem participation lead to new business opportunities?
  • Identifying synergies and complementary offerings within the ecosystem
  • Facilitating joint venture and co-creation initiatives
• What does genuine transparency look like in your collaborations?
  • Implementing open communication protocols and tools
  • Developing shared performance metrics and reporting systems
• How might we cultivate a culture of constructive feedback?
  • Designing feedback mechanisms that promote continuous improvement
  • Facilitating regular ecosystem health check-ups and adjustments

5. Differentiating Your Ecosystem Approach

• What unique value can you offer within your ecosystem?
  • Conducting value proposition workshops for ecosystem contexts
  • Identifying and leveraging distinctive competencies
• How might you align diverse missions for mutual benefit?
  • Facilitating mission alignment sessions among partners
  • Developing shared vision and goal-setting frameworks
• Where can your ecosystem create unparalleled impact?
  • Identifying opportunities for collective action on industry challenges
  • Designing initiatives that amplify individual and collaborative strengths

6. Innovation and Thought Leadership – a real point of differentiation

• How can you position yourself at the forefront of industry trends?
  • Conducting regular trend analysis and future-casting sessions
  • Developing thought leadership content and platforms
• What emerging practices could reshape your ecosystem?
  • Identifying and evaluating cutting-edge ecosystem management approaches
  • Piloting innovative collaboration and value-creation models
• In what ways can you cultivate forward-thinking approaches?
  • Facilitating innovation workshops and design thinking sessions
  • Developing experimentation frameworks for ecosystem evolution

This offers a blend of strategic thinking prompts and concrete offerings, allowing for open-ended exploration and practical implementation.

It, for me, spans the need for navigating ecosystems, searching for challenges to uncover those unique competitive edges. The aim is to Identify the critical focus areas that truly matter for success and build out that necessary differentiation to determine a distinctive ecosystem value and provide a unique positioning.

Reshaping positions is vital for all of us.

The ability to break down complexity and recognize where there is opportunity enables a move towards a distinctive position worth evaluating and determining whether to go for. The result is not a “given promise” but providing what evaluations can provide. The value is in building ecosystem thinking and design.

Ecosystem dynamics are becoming more urgent as a means of collaboration, co-creation, and sharing risk and investment. There is an increasing need to understand, visualize, navigate, and leverage ecosystem dynamics for business advantage.

Provoking new thinking and inspiration to realize visions and missions that are truly different

My job is to provoke new thinking, challenge assumptions, and inspire a vision of what ecosystem partnerships can offer beyond your existing traditional boundaries. It is all about uncovering your distinctive qualities and the needs of others within the ecosystem and projecting a new, more powerful extension of your business identity for the future.

A future that offers a vibrant, strategic set of assets and solutions that set you apart from others. It is a journey of discovery and transformational potential that can redefine the existing into the preferred. I am asking what you can achieve.