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Strategic Foresight and Innovation 

Strategic Foresight and Innovation 

Strategic Foresight and Innovation 

Strategic Foresight and Innovation 

Thriving Transitions, Navigating and empowering micro-businesses toward a promising future with the “Transformative Strategy Journey”

Thriving Transitions, Navigating and empowering micro-businesses toward a promising future with the “Transformative Strategy Journey”

Thriving Transitions, Navigating and empowering micro-businesses toward a promising future with the “Transformative Strategy Journey”

Thriving Transitions, Navigating and empowering micro-businesses toward a promising future with the “Transformative Strategy Journey”

Designer: Joanne Nedeljkovic, Timothy Sun

Designer: Joanne Nedeljkovic, Timothy Sun

Designer: Joanne Nedeljkovic, Timothy Sun

Designer: Joanne Nedeljkovic, Timothy Sun

Wellda

Wellda

Wellda

Wellda

Wellda revolutionizes strategic planning for micro-businesses by focusing on three areas of innovation: integrating advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and strategic planning, creating user-friendly and adaptable tools that foster continuous learning, and implementing robust communication systems to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing within the business community.

Wellda revolutionizes strategic planning for micro-businesses by focusing on three areas of innovation: integrating advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and strategic planning, creating user-friendly and adaptable tools that foster continuous learning, and implementing robust communication systems to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing within the business community.

Wellda revolutionizes strategic planning for micro-businesses by focusing on three areas of innovation: integrating advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and strategic planning, creating user-friendly and adaptable tools that foster continuous learning, and implementing robust communication systems to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing within the business community.

Wellda revolutionizes strategic planning for micro-businesses by focusing on three areas of innovation: integrating advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and strategic planning, creating user-friendly and adaptable tools that foster continuous learning, and implementing robust communication systems to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing within the business community.

Video Demo

Video Demo

Video Demo

Video Demo

Abstract


Our research adopts a transformative approach to reimagine strategic frameworks for micro-business owners. Integrating statistical, qualitative, and textural analyses with insights from the Greater Toronto Area, we challenge traditional models through three hypotheses, exploring the interplay of strategic frameworks with physical, psychological, and team-design aspects. The methodology includes literature reviews, actor mapping, iterative inquiries, and environmental scanning, along with interviews with micro-business owners and planners. Findings highlight the need for flexible, adaptable models that integrate personal values. This research proposes practical frameworks to enhance decision-making, growth, and strategic engagement, ensuring long-term viability and success for micro-businesses.

Abstract


Our research adopts a transformative approach to reimagine strategic frameworks for micro-business owners. Integrating statistical, qualitative, and textural analyses with insights from the Greater Toronto Area, we challenge traditional models through three hypotheses, exploring the interplay of strategic frameworks with physical, psychological, and team-design aspects. The methodology includes literature reviews, actor mapping, iterative inquiries, and environmental scanning, along with interviews with micro-business owners and planners. Findings highlight the need for flexible, adaptable models that integrate personal values. This research proposes practical frameworks to enhance decision-making, growth, and strategic engagement, ensuring long-term viability and success for micro-businesses.

Abstract


Our research adopts a transformative approach to reimagine strategic frameworks for micro-business owners. Integrating statistical, qualitative, and textural analyses with insights from the Greater Toronto Area, we challenge traditional models through three hypotheses, exploring the interplay of strategic frameworks with physical, psychological, and team-design aspects. The methodology includes literature reviews, actor mapping, iterative inquiries, and environmental scanning, along with interviews with micro-business owners and planners. Findings highlight the need for flexible, adaptable models that integrate personal values. This research proposes practical frameworks to enhance decision-making, growth, and strategic engagement, ensuring long-term viability and success for micro-businesses.

Abstract


Our research adopts a transformative approach to reimagine strategic frameworks for micro-business owners. Integrating statistical, qualitative, and textural analyses with insights from the Greater Toronto Area, we challenge traditional models through three hypotheses, exploring the interplay of strategic frameworks with physical, psychological, and team-design aspects. The methodology includes literature reviews, actor mapping, iterative inquiries, and environmental scanning, along with interviews with micro-business owners and planners. Findings highlight the need for flexible, adaptable models that integrate personal values. This research proposes practical frameworks to enhance decision-making, growth, and strategic engagement, ensuring long-term viability and success for micro-businesses.

Full Report

Framing the Problem

Framing the Problem

Framing the Problem

Framing the Problem

Small and micro-sized businesses make up nearly 98% of all companies

Small and micro-sized businesses make up nearly 98% of all companies

Small and micro-sized businesses make up nearly 98% of all companies

Small and micro-sized businesses make up nearly 98% of all companies

In Canada's economic landscape, small and micro-sized businesses, which make up nearly 98% of all companies (Blair, 2024), face numerous entrepreneurial challenges. These businesses are vital to the national economy and need strategic frameworks tailored to their unique needs (Espinosa, 2023). Many small business owners lack formal succession plans, jeopardizing their long-term viability (Johnson, 2023). Economic pressures like inflation further threaten their stability (Statistics Canada, 2023). Our research addresses the bias in strategic frameworks favouring larger companies and highlights the need for data on micro-business operations (Ekwere, 2016). We aim to develop pragmatic, flexible frameworks to empower micro-businesses and ensure their sustained success.

In Canada's economic landscape, small and micro-sized businesses, which make up nearly 98% of all companies (Blair, 2024), face numerous entrepreneurial challenges. These businesses are vital to the national economy and need strategic frameworks tailored to their unique needs (Espinosa, 2023). Many small business owners lack formal succession plans, jeopardizing their long-term viability (Johnson, 2023). Economic pressures like inflation further threaten their stability (Statistics Canada, 2023). Our research addresses the bias in strategic frameworks favouring larger companies and highlights the need for data on micro-business operations (Ekwere, 2016). We aim to develop pragmatic, flexible frameworks to empower micro-businesses and ensure their sustained success.

In Canada's economic landscape, small and micro-sized businesses, which make up nearly 98% of all companies (Blair, 2024), face numerous entrepreneurial challenges. These businesses are vital to the national economy and need strategic frameworks tailored to their unique needs (Espinosa, 2023). Many small business owners lack formal succession plans, jeopardizing their long-term viability (Johnson, 2023). Economic pressures like inflation further threaten their stability (Statistics Canada, 2023). Our research addresses the bias in strategic frameworks favouring larger companies and highlights the need for data on micro-business operations (Ekwere, 2016). We aim to develop pragmatic, flexible frameworks to empower micro-businesses and ensure their sustained success.

In Canada's economic landscape, small and micro-sized businesses, which make up nearly 98% of all companies (Blair, 2024), face numerous entrepreneurial challenges. These businesses are vital to the national economy and need strategic frameworks tailored to their unique needs (Espinosa, 2023). Many small business owners lack formal succession plans, jeopardizing their long-term viability (Johnson, 2023). Economic pressures like inflation further threaten their stability (Statistics Canada, 2023). Our research addresses the bias in strategic frameworks favouring larger companies and highlights the need for data on micro-business operations (Ekwere, 2016). We aim to develop pragmatic, flexible frameworks to empower micro-businesses and ensure their sustained success.

Research Question

Research Question

Research Question

Research Question

How might we use strategy's physical, psychological, and team-design aspects to create a more accessible strategic experience for micro-business owners, helping them navigate uncertainties and achieve sustainability?

How might we use strategy's physical, psychological, and team-design aspects to create a more accessible strategic experience for micro-business owners, helping them navigate uncertainties and achieve sustainability?

How might we use strategy's physical, psychological, and team-design aspects to create a more accessible strategic experience for micro-business owners, helping them navigate uncertainties and achieve sustainability?

How might we use strategy's physical, psychological, and team-design aspects to create a more accessible strategic experience for micro-business owners, helping them navigate uncertainties and achieve sustainability?

We adopted a transformative approach, and our research re-imagined strategic frameworks to better suit micro-business owners by integrating physical, psychological, and team-design elements to increase accessibility and effectiveness. Using a robust methodology that merges statistical, qualitative, and textural analyses with real-world insights from the Greater Toronto Area, we aimed to reshape traditional strategy tools to incorporate these businesses' unique needs and challenges. Driven by three foundational hypotheses, our study thoroughly explored business strategy's broad and detailed components as a technology. We used actors' maps, iterative inquiries, and environmental scanning to identify and address gaps in existing strategic frameworks. This comprehensive method ensured that our proposed innovations were theoretically robust and practically viable, equipping micro-business owners to navigate complexities effectively and achieve sustainable growth.

We adopted a transformative approach, and our research re-imagined strategic frameworks to better suit micro-business owners by integrating physical, psychological, and team-design elements to increase accessibility and effectiveness. Using a robust methodology that merges statistical, qualitative, and textural analyses with real-world insights from the Greater Toronto Area, we aimed to reshape traditional strategy tools to incorporate these businesses' unique needs and challenges. Driven by three foundational hypotheses, our study thoroughly explored business strategy's broad and detailed components as a technology. We used actors' maps, iterative inquiries, and environmental scanning to identify and address gaps in existing strategic frameworks. This comprehensive method ensured that our proposed innovations were theoretically robust and practically viable, equipping micro-business owners to navigate complexities effectively and achieve sustainable growth.

We adopted a transformative approach, and our research re-imagined strategic frameworks to better suit micro-business owners by integrating physical, psychological, and team-design elements to increase accessibility and effectiveness. Using a robust methodology that merges statistical, qualitative, and textural analyses with real-world insights from the Greater Toronto Area, we aimed to reshape traditional strategy tools to incorporate these businesses' unique needs and challenges. Driven by three foundational hypotheses, our study thoroughly explored business strategy's broad and detailed components as a technology. We used actors' maps, iterative inquiries, and environmental scanning to identify and address gaps in existing strategic frameworks. This comprehensive method ensured that our proposed innovations were theoretically robust and practically viable, equipping micro-business owners to navigate complexities effectively and achieve sustainable growth.

We adopted a transformative approach, and our research re-imagined strategic frameworks to better suit micro-business owners by integrating physical, psychological, and team-design elements to increase accessibility and effectiveness. Using a robust methodology that merges statistical, qualitative, and textural analyses with real-world insights from the Greater Toronto Area, we aimed to reshape traditional strategy tools to incorporate these businesses' unique needs and challenges. Driven by three foundational hypotheses, our study thoroughly explored business strategy's broad and detailed components as a technology. We used actors' maps, iterative inquiries, and environmental scanning to identify and address gaps in existing strategic frameworks. This comprehensive method ensured that our proposed innovations were theoretically robust and practically viable, equipping micro-business owners to navigate complexities effectively and achieve sustainable growth.

Findings

Strategic frameworks, often tailored to larger businesses, do not cater to micro-business needs, causing a lack of engagement.

As we culminate our exploration of the micro-business journey, it is clear that these entrepreneurs' paths are not just a series of steps but a continuous cycle of vision, effort, and adaptation. Like Van Gogh's "Starry Night," each phase of their journey—from spotting a market need to achieving stability—is a brushstroke in a larger masterpiece. The practical application of strategic tools designed to fit their unique needs allows them to navigate the hidden obstacle course of business challenges with resilience and foresight.


The role of Confidence emerges as pivotal, fueling the drive to persevere through uncertainties and setbacks. This unwavering belief in their vision enables micro-business owners to embed practical strategies into their operations effectively, transcending the constraints of traditional frameworks. Our mission is to craft tools that resonate with their personal and professional narratives. This integration of personal values with adaptable strategies ensures micro-businesses thrive and contribute significantly to the global economy.

Micro-businesses have distinct strategies and mentalities that differ significantly from those of larger firms.

Micro-businesses face strategic challenges such as complex cause-and-effect dynamics, technology gaps, and socio-political volatility, all exacerbated by economic pressures like inflation and rising operational costs. These factors often divert focus from long-term goals to immediate financial survival, demanding a high degree of strategic agility to adapt and thrive. To maintain relevance and avoid stagnation, owners must rely on intuition and keen observation to pivot strategies in a timely, ensuring alignment with the business’s core purpose and customer needs. Economic pressures necessitate robust support systems like startup accelerators, innovative financing solutions, and government programs to foster a strategic ecosystem that enables micro-businesses to adapt and grow amidst these challenges.



Engaging Owners in reflective mapping exercises alters their approach, enhancing decision-making and planning for their business(es).

Our research demonstrates that engaging micro-business owners in reflective mapping exercises significantly transforms their strategic approaches, enhancing decision-making and planning capabilities. This method enables owners to critically assess their roles and the effects of their decisions, optimizing strategies for personal and business growth. Reflective practices encourage owners to proactively apply these insights, aligning their approach with the evolving demands of the business environment and promoting a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

Engaging Owners in reflective mapping exercises alters their approach, enhancing decision-making and planning for their business(es).

Our research demonstrates that engaging micro-business owners in reflective mapping exercises significantly transforms their strategic approaches, enhancing decision-making and planning capabilities. This method enables owners to critically assess their roles and the effects of their decisions, optimizing strategies for personal and business growth. Reflective practices encourage owners to proactively apply these insights, aligning their approach with the evolving demands of the business environment and promoting a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

© 2023 Tim Design