Insights & Tools
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England and Wales population growth slows sharply as net migration falls
Population growth in England and Wales slowed to 0.4% in the year to mid-2025 as net international migration fell sharply. The figures point to an ageing population, weaker workforce growth and widening regional differences with significant…
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Tough Mudder and Spartan: From Obstacle-Race Rivals to a Global Endurance Platform
Tough Mudder and Spartan transformed obstacle racing into a global fitness industry before financial collapse, acquisition and the COVID-19 pandemic threatened their future. This extensive case study examines their origins, contrasting brand strategies, event economics, safety…
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The BBC: From Wireless Pioneer to Public-Service Media at a Crossroads
From its beginnings in wireless radio to its current struggle with streaming, declining licence numbers and global media competition, the BBC has shaped British culture for more than a century. This extensive strategic case study examines…
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LEGO: The Brick That Became a Global System of Play
From a small Danish carpenter’s workshop to the world’s most powerful toy brand, LEGO has built a global business around one brilliantly simple system of play. This detailed case study examines LEGO’s history, near-collapse, remarkable turnaround,…
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Gymshark: From Bedroom Brand to Global Fitness Challenger
Gymshark is one of the most important British consumer brand stories of the last twenty years. It began in 2012 with Ben Francis, then a 19-year-old student from the Midlands, selling fitness supplements online and making…
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Magnet Group: From Yorkshire Joinery to Kitchen Retail Turnaround
Magnet is one of the best-known names in the British kitchen market. For more than a century, it has been associated with joinery, fitted kitchens, showrooms, trade customers, design appointments, home renovation and the practical business…
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A.G. Barr and Irn-Bru: Scotland’s Soft Drink Champion in a Global Drinks Market
A.G. Barr is one of the most unusual companies in British food and drink. It is not the largest soft drinks company in the UK. It does not have the global firepower of Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig…
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Communications Plan
Communications Plan: A Practical Guide to Clear Messages, Better Coordination and Stronger Stakeholder Confidence A communications plan is a practical management tool used to decide what needs to be communicated, to whom, by whom, when, how…
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Stakeholder Engagement Plan
A stakeholder engagement plan is a practical management and communication tool used to identify who needs to be involved, informed, consulted or influenced during a project, strategy, service, decision or organisational change. At its simplest, a…
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Pricing Analysis
Pricing analysis is a practical business and strategy tool used to examine how prices are set, how customers respond, how competitors price, and how pricing affects revenue, margin, profit, cash flow and market position. At its…
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Benchmarking
Benchmarking is a practical management and improvement tool used to compare an organisation’s performance, processes, costs, quality, service or outcomes against relevant standards, competitors, peers or best practice. At its simplest, benchmarking asks: How do we…
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Positioning Map
A positioning map, sometimes called a perceptual map, is a visual strategy and marketing tool used to show how customers perceive different brands, products, services or organisations in relation to each other. At its simplest, a…
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Market Research
Market research is a practical business and strategy tool used to understand a market, its customers, competitors, trends, demand, pricing, risks and opportunities. At its simplest, market research asks: What is happening in the market, who…
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Customer Research
Customer research is a practical business and strategy tool used to understand customers, their needs, behaviours, expectations, problems, motivations and decision-making. At its simplest, customer research asks: Who are our customers, what do they need, what…
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Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciative Inquiry, often shortened to AI, is a strengths-based approach to organisational development, change and problem-solving. At its simplest, Appreciative Inquiry asks: What is already working well, why does it work, what future do we want…
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Roadmapping
Roadmapping is a planning and management tool used to show how an organisation, project, product, service or strategy will move from its current position to a desired future state over time. At its simplest, roadmapping asks:…
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Backforecasting
Backforecasting, more commonly known as backcasting, is a strategic planning and decision-making tool used to work backwards from a desired future outcome to identify the actions, decisions and milestones needed to get there. At its simplest,…
