BIG Strategy Playbook-Introduction

1.1. Brief Overview of the Firm

Established in 2015 by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business faculty members, The Berkeley Innovation Group is dedicated to shaping inquiry-led, future-focused strategic plans for mid-market companies. With a vision to facilitate transformative change, our team's experience includes digital transformation, operational excellence, enhanced financial profitability, human resource change management, and new product innovation functions. 

With over fifteen years of experience teaching a generation of students strategy and innovation, we often hear from our former students after they return to the workforce, frustrated that their ideas for improvement and innovation falter in the face of organizational inertia and the status quo. At The Berkeley Innovation Group, we believe in “a better way,” led by our inductive, exploratory approach, anchored in curiosity and a thorough understanding of our clients' current state, that sets us apart. Success lies in a strategic plan that reflects leadership’s values and incorporates feedback from across the organization to ensure its success.

1.2. Our Value Proposition

Choosing The Berkeley Innovation Group means choosing a fresh, collaborative approach to your strategic planning process. Our strength lies in creating tailor-made solutions grounded in your unique circumstances. We believe in co-creation, valuing your insider knowledge while providing objective, third-party perspectives. This balanced approach engages stakeholders at all levels, setting the stage for smoother transitions during implementation. 

Our partnerships with diverse industry leaders, from Google's data center division to Recology, a billion-dollar waste management company, attest to our ability to deliver strategic plans that drive top-line growth, cost rationalization, and bottom-line transformation. For example, we helped GDC create an innovation funnel aligned with their corporate strategy to more than double the number of new projects within the division. At Recology, we took a holistic view of the company and led a digital transformation and operational efficiency with immediate, positive EBITDA impacts.

1.3. Understanding Your Strategic Planning Needs

To better serve your strategic planning needs, we will work closely with you to understand the nuances of your organization's strategic challenges and opportunities. This process involves deep diving into your organization's current state through stakeholder interviews, market positioning against established competitors and startups, and megatrends shaping your industry and the broader economy. For example, a generational shift in society, namely the rise of Gen Z, impacts the technology used to interface with your customers, human resources hiring and retention practices, and marketing’s internal and external branding. Our meticulous exploration enables us to align our approach with your distinct needs and aspirations, resulting in a strategic plan that truly mirrors your organization's ambitions.