When we think about forming a company’s strategy, there is only one direction to look: outward. What is the added value we can offer our customers to keep them loyal to our brand? Although this may sound simple, in changing times what products and services we offer and how we offer them is also in constant transformation, challenging companies to re-think business models in order to meet the changing standards, behaviors and tastes of our clients.

As Mark Johnson, co-founder and Chairman of the innovation-based consultancy Innosight, explained at this year’s World Business Forum Buenos Aires, the biggest challenge companies face is defining a model that “enables large waves of new growth to continue to allow your business or organization to thrive.” According to Johnson, the key to unlocking that growth is to understand how great business models work, and how you can transform your business to reflect those practices. Today companies have to contribute to the market products that are easy to understand, accessible, and even customizable. The business models of the past won’t lead you to such lofty goals—so the key to a successful strategy is developing one that is flexible enough to adapt over time. In the following we present some of the companies that have done so fortuitously—and are building a path to long-term profitability.

Why do we concentrate so much on the end of the road instead of taking the time to enjoy the journey?  Why is it so difficult to stop thinking about the numbers and the carefully calculated objectives that form our day-to-day goals, and instead concentrate on the overall vision that drives us?  You might be surprised how many more possibilities exist for those that are led by a vision rather than led by a person...

Admired for her commercial vision and artistic eye, CEO Angela Ahrendts has taken Burberry to the top of the luxury market.  WOBI's Lori Greene recently had the chance to chat with her in New York about the strategies she employed and the challenges she overcame in renovating the iconic 156 year old luxury fashion brand.  Read some of the highlights of their conversation here…