The Four Lenses Strategic Framework › Part 4: Leveraging Synergies and Managing Tensions ›

Knowledge Development

Primary link:
Efficiency

Developing Knowledge to Achieve Greater Efficiency

Core Practices:

  • Development of appropriate technology.
  • Conduct a down-market needs analysis.
  • Develop more efficient supply chain models.

Secondary link:
Blended Value

Developing Knowledge to Achieve Blended Value

Synergies:

  • Use market research to improve knowledge of resource availability.
  • Develop appropriate technology to manage resources renewably.
  • Research the potential of less coveted/more available resources.

Tensions:

  • Be wary of over promising and under delivering.
  • Research requires upfront investments and associated financial risks.

Tertiary link:
Adaptability

Developing Knowledge to Achieve Greater Adaptability

Synergies:

  • Conduct ongoing market research to inform responses to emerging trends and opportunities.
  • Use business performance monitoring and information management practices to improve risk analysis and implementation strategies.

Tensions:

  • Be aware that temporary setbacks and risks inherent to the “trial and error” process central to research and innovation will trigger pressure to come back to a low-risk, more predicable charity mindset.

Quaternary link:
Depth of Impact

Developing Knowledge to Achieve Deeper Impact

Synergies:

  • Use market research to further understand root causes of social problem.
  • Develop technology appropriate to social context.
  • Develop processes that support the use of sustainable resources.

Tensions:

  • One-size-fits-all technology can limit access to harder-to-reach clients.
  • Risk of falling for the innovation smokescreen (“new is better”).

Go back to Table 1: Performance criteria across the four lenses or Table 2: Four lenses across the performance criteria

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