Shaping Strategy in a World of Constant Disruption | Center for the Edge | Deloitte | Deloitte Center for the Edge | Hagel | Brown

Redefining the terms of competition for a market sector, an industry or an entire global ecosystem is a tall order. It means attracting thousands of participants, galvanizing their efforts and retaining their commitment for the long haul.

In this Harvard Business Review article,“Shaping Strategy in a World of Constant Disruption” (October 2008), authors John Hagel III, John Seely Brown and Lang Davison provide a road map for the daunting task of shaping strategy as technology-driven infrastructures constantly change.

The article explores a unique opportunity for companies to mobilize global ecosystems to dramatically transform industries and markets. Shaping strategies can redefine the terms of competition for markets, sectors and industries, while creating benefits for both shapers and participants. The article can help readers:

Assess their organization’s ability to be a shaper
Determine the relative strengths of the shapers they might support, plus define their own roles within the shaper’s ecosystem
Rethink the process of strategy development

According to the authors, almost any company will benefit from an attempt to shape strategy, but not every business is ultimately a “shaper.” By participating in other firms' shaping strategies, a company may find plenty of opportunities to create value.

Read the full article (PDF).

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