#sparring – Igniting Nespresso’s Market Business Strategy Process
Thanks Nick for your sparring. Just wanted to let you know that your presence really made a difference! Bob Hermans, Regional Marketing Manager NESPRESSO Zone SAMA.
The Context
Every three years, Nespresso embarks on a critical exercise: crafting its Market Business Strategy. This process is essential for aligning goals, identifying priorities, and ensuring sustainable growth across its diverse markets. However, like many global organizations, they faced challenges in turning this process into a dynamic and inclusive experience that drives actionable outcomes.
When Nespresso approached us, their ambition was clear—they wanted to elevate their strategic process from a top-down planning exercise to a more engaging, cross-functional collaboration that genuinely empowered their teams. By working together, we reimagined how their Market Business Strategy could be more than just a document—it became a living, breathing framework for action, co-created by teams at all levels.
This blog explores how we partnered with Nespresso to revamp their approach, inject clarity and ownership into the process, and ensure their strategy wasn’t just built but lived by everyone involved.
What should I understand by ‘sparring’?
Nick and any relevant business peers from his A-team come alongside your team, offering a fresh perspective, practical tools, and real-world insights tailored to your challenges. This collaborative process transforms complex problems into clear solutions while empowering your team to take ownership of the outcomes. It’s not just advice; it’s a dynamic partnership designed to accelerate growth, strengthen strategy, and enhance team alignment.
Solicited and Unsolicited Advice
Armed with the freedom to provide both solicited and unsolicited advice, Nick served as a truth-teller, holding up a mirror to surface blind spots and challenge the status quo.
Neutral Outsider’s Perspective
With a neutral, independent outsider’s view Nick assumed various roles, seamlessly switching between an outside-in and inside-out perspective. From entertainer to advisor, critic to mediator, he wears multiple hats to provide a 360* evaluation.
Picture: a strategic jam providing an opportunity for large groups of people
at Nespresso to engage in moderated strategy discussions.
Biases Dissolution
Nick actively identifies and addresses different biases, including negativity bias, confirmation bias, status-quo bias, ambiguity bias, and conformity bias. By doing so, he helps dissolve these biases, fostering a more objective decision-making process.
Disruption of Old Norms
Nick fearlessly tears down the walls of traditional thinking, technological limitations, and bureaucratic barriers. Through daring and radical ideas, he inspires change, challenging and transforming current thinking.
Matchmaking Meaningful Connections
Empowered to foster valuable and inspiring connections, Nick also takes on the role of a matchmaker connecting the people of Nespresso with relevant and inspiring peers and content in the Unbossers Network.
