Hands-on strategists and writers for an uncertain world
In a town that had forgotten its age, a bridge spanned a river, connecting two halves of a community. For years, it stood against time and tide. But as with all things caught in nature's grip, it began to show its wear, causing disruptions and dismay.
The townspeople sought solutions
The blacksmith proposed reinforcing the bridge with stronger ironwork, making it resilient. The carpenter suggested regular maintenance and quick repairs with sturdy wood to minimize downtime. The mason proposed adding extra stone supports to fortify the bridge against the river’s strength. The boatman suggested constructing temporary floating platforms to aid in crossing when the bridge was out of service.
This is not about the bridge
Despite these efforts, the bridge continued to suffer from the floods.
Until, one day, a gardener in town had a thought.
She looked beyond the bridge, beyond the immediate turmoil, to the river itself.
“This is not about the bridge,” she murmured, “it’s about the river.”
Understanding the natural flow of water in her garden, she offered a new perspective.
She envisioned a diversion channel, a path to guide the river’s wrath away from the town, to give it room to rage without consequence.
The best way to mend what is broken
The townsfolk were hesitant but agreed to the gardener’s vision.
The diversion channel was built to guide the river’s course and protect the bridge. When the first storm raged after its completion, the river followed its new path, leaving the bridge untouched.
The townsfolk crossed the bridge once more, their steps light. The bridge stood as it always had, a promise kept.
The town learned that sometimes, the best way to mend what is broken is to understand what lies beneath.
Why we wrote this story
This story illustrates how we think about tactics and strategy at Method. Here, tactics had to give way to innovation. However, it's important to note that most mature companies tend to over-index on tacticians. While they are crucial for executing and optimizing existing strategies, providing stability and predictability, a balance is needed. You also need strategists who thrive on disruption and forward-thinking, who challenge the status quo and push for transformative changes.
Strategists with tactical backgrounds
We operate on the same principle as the gardener. We dig deeper to identify and solve the underlying issues that hold your business back.
Our consultants are seasoned operators with at least 25 years of startup and corporate experience. Importantly, we were all tacticians first, honing our craft and understanding how to build, ship, buy and sell products and businesses.
At Method, we understand that every business is unique. That's why we emphasize hands-on work, rapid prototyping, and a deep understanding of your needs.
Our recent work
Market Entry Strategy for a Fortune 500 Company
2024
A Fortune 500 client wanted to enter three new and highly competitive markets with limited resources. We developed unique strategies for each market, created an overarching vision that leveraged their strengths, and identified clear overlaps between initiatives so they all benefited from each other. This comprehensive approach enabled the client to maximize their impact and resources effectively.
AI Vision and Cultural Shift for a Large Enterprise
2023
We established an accelerator group for a company with 8,000 employees to rapidly build and document AI prototypes functional to internal teams. We then created a set of AI tenets that directed and pushed the company toward a cultural shift and broader uptake of AI tools. This initiative empowered teams, fostered innovation, and aligned the company’s operations with its strategic vision for AI.
Commerce Integration Strategy for a Major Publisher
2022
A major publisher needed a strategy for integrating commerce into their digital content. We advised on technology integration, content planning, and team structure, and helped find and train the right people. This comprehensive strategy enabled the publisher to seamlessly blend commerce with their editorial content, enhancing user engagement and driving new revenue streams.