Interview with ROIAL™ Team: Uwe Dockhorn and Marcel Donges on Business Growth and Systemic Business Design

"We didn't do anything wrong, but somehow we lost. It's like there was this break in the system."

For Marcel Donges and Uwe Dockhorn, it doesn't matter what stage you are in or when you enter the market – you are always at risk of a crisis. That's why it's essential to pivot to avoid potential challenges continually. They help you learn how to think differently and prepare yourself to address any issues that may arise. They use a product called Systemic Business Design. This quick 1-hour webinar will set you up for growth. 

Welcome to "Decision Dynamics: Steering Through the $5M-$50M Spectrum," a webinar designed with the expertise of Marcel Donges and Uwe Dockhorn.

This 60-minute session aims to equip businesses in the $5M-$50M revenue range with insights and strategies to fuel growth, avoid crises, and maintain work-life harmony. 

Drawing on Marcel's pioneering work in digital innovation and Uwe's extensive coaching experience, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of actionable steps for their current business stage. Join us to ensure your enterprise's growth trajectory remains robust, all while preserving the harmony between your professional and personal lives.

SIGN UP NOW

Interview with ROIAL™ Team: Uwe Dockhorn and Marcel Donges on Business Growth and Systemic Business Design

In today's feature interview, we sit down with Uwe Dockhorn and Marcel Donges from ROIAL™, experts in systemic business design and growth strategy. They'll be shedding light on how businesses can leverage systemic thinking to not only foresee and adapt to changes in the market but to fundamentally enhance their operational efficiency and scalability. This approach is especially crucial in today's fast-paced business environment, where adaptability and strategic foresight are key to sustainability and success. Uwe and Marcel will discuss the principles of systemic business design, share success stories, and explain how businesses of all sizes can implement these strategies to achieve robust, long-term growth.

Rache Brand: Let's jump right in. Systemic business design is a term that’s gaining traction but can be complex to understand. Can you break down what it means for our audience?

Uwe Dockhorn: Certainly. Systemic business design isn't just about planning; it’s about creating a business model that is adaptable and resilient to change. It involves understanding the interconnectedness of your business's and the market's aspects. We use pattern-based thinking to predict and manage potential disruptions, ensuring sustainable growth.

Marcel Donges: To add to what Uwe said, it's about understanding that a business does not operate in isolation. Each decision affects every other part of the organization and its environment. Our approach helps businesses align their strategy, operations, and tactics with this holistic view.

Rache Brand: Fascinating! How does this approach impact the way businesses should approach growth?

Uwe Dockhorn: It shifts the focus from mere expansion to strategic growth. Businesses should look beyond scaling their operations to also consider how each step impacts their overall ecosystem. This means thinking about the long-term effects of decisions and preparing for multiple future scenarios.

Marcel Donges: And it’s about resilience. In today’s volatile market, being prepared means more than having a contingency plan. It means structurally embedding adaptability into your business model. This could mean diversifying income streams, flexible organizational structures, or iterative, feedback-oriented processes.

Rache Brand: It sounds pretty comprehensive. Can you share an example of how this approach has been implemented successfully?

Uwe Dockhorn: One example is with a client in the technology sector. We used systemic business design to help them pivot from a hardware-focused company to a service-oriented model. By understanding their business interactions and market dynamics patterns, we restructured their business model to capitalize on recurring revenue, significantly increasing their market value and stability.

Marcel Donges: Another example is a startup we worked with struggling to scale. Through our workshops, they identified key bottlenecks and redesigned their operations to better align with their strategic goals. They've since seen a 40% increase in operational efficiency and a more straightforward path to profitability.

Rache Brand, Superstruct: Uwe, you mentioned a crucial step in your courses that you can teach in just 10 minutes. Could you expand on that for our audience?

Uwe Dockhorn: Absolutely. The first step of our course introduces the concept of starting your business endeavors at what we call 'level three'—a defined, templated approach. This is crucial because many businesses waste resources in a trial and error mode, which is chaotic and costly. By starting at level three, you begin with a systematic, templated structure, reducing waste and increasing efficiency from the outset.

Marcel Donges: This structured approach leads into what we refer to as the business model canvas, which helps systemically design your business operations. This isn't just about having a business plan; it's about ensuring every element of your plan works in harmony, based on a deep understanding of your business ecosystem.

Uwe Dockhorn: And from there, we explore deeper systemic integration. We delve into how businesses can operate not just effectively but optimally, by understanding and implementing what we call 'systems thinking'. This covers everything from your financial systems to your marketing strategies, all designed to function within a larger systemic framework.

Rache Brand: So, it's about more than just avoiding pitfalls; it's about strategic, proactive growth?

Uwe Dockhorn: Exactly. By understanding and implementing these levels—particularly the paradigm shifts required at each stage—businesses can navigate not just growth but also diversification and even acquisition more effectively. It’s about preparing businesses to not just survive but thrive through these transitions.

Marcel Donges: To add to that, once businesses understand this systemic approach, they can predict and manage potential disruptions, ensuring sustainable growth. This prepares them for the future, no matter how the market evolves.

Rache Brand: This sounds like a transformative approach. Uwe, could you elaborate on how this has changed the way businesses approach their growth strategy?

Uwe Dockhorn: Certainly, Rache. By adopting a systemic approach, businesses start to think in terms of cycles and feedback loops rather than linear processes. This shift in thinking allows them to be more agile and adaptive. They begin to see opportunities where others see obstacles, which can fundamentally change their growth strategy and their entire business outlook.

Marcel Donges: And it’s about building resilience. In today’s business environment, quickly adapting to changes and recalibrating strategies is invaluable. Our approach helps businesses create a robust framework that supports this agility while maintaining a focus on their long-term vision.

Rache Brand: This would be especially crucial for startups and smaller businesses. How accessible is this model for them?

Uwe Dockhorn: It’s very accessible. We’ve designed our courses and workshops to cater to businesses of all sizes. For startups, especially, adopting this approach early on can set a foundation for success that is often hard to achieve through traditional business planning methods.

Marcel Donges: Absolutely, and we offer various entry points into our training, whether it's through workshops, online courses, or direct consultancy. We make sure there's a scalable option for every business, regardless of size or stage.

Rache Brand: That’s impressive. What would be the first step for businesses looking to adopt systemic business design?

Marcel Donges: The first step is always awareness and education. Leaders need to understand the concept and its implications. From there, conducting a thorough analysis of current business models and market conditions is crucial. This sets the stage for identifying the systemic changes needed.

Uwe Dockhorn: I would add that it's essential to engage with a consultant or an expert in systemic business design initially. This helps in setting up the right frameworks and tools to start thinking systemically about your business.

Rache Brand: Lastly, do you have any final thoughts or advice for businesses aiming for sustainable growth in today’s economy?

Marcel Donges: Stay curious and be open to change. The business landscape is evolving faster than ever, and adaptability is key. Invest in learning and understanding the systems at play in your industry.

Uwe Dockhorn: And remember, systemic business design is not a one-time effort; it’s a continuous process. Regularly revisit your business model, assess its relevance in the current market, and be prepared to pivot as necessary. It’s about building a business that not only survives but thrives on change.

Rache Brand: Uwe, Marcel, thank you for sharing your expertise with us today. It’s clear that systemic business design is a powerful approach to building a robust, future-proof business.

Uwe Dockhorn & Marcel Donges: Thank you, Rache. It’s been great discussing these ideas with you.

SIGN UP NOW