The no-compromise game

The only certainty is change

These are tumultuous times for companies in the pet market. The online channels are becoming stronger, bringing along a whole new set of rules. Mammoth e-commerce players are entering markets one by one. Non-specialised retailers have started selling pet products too, reducing the prices and margins while they’re at it. And then there are new consumer trends. It sometimes seems that the only certainty is change.

Misinterpreting market shifts

As a result, industry executives worldwide are seeking to change their companies as well. The big question is how? In my role, I see too many bosses plunging their companies head-first into wild adventures, without fully understanding why. This can result in big, self-inflicted declines and even bankruptcy, all because they only partly understood, overrated or misinterpreted the market shifts. The problem is that most bosses are busy with the day-to-day running of the company. The sound of words like ‘Amazon’, ‘big data’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘e-commerce’ fills them with fear, and they have no clear strategy in response.

Practical takeaway tools

Playing the No-Compromise Game is a great way to gain a realistic view of market developments as well as getting some practical takeaway tools. All you need is a pen and paper.

The No-Compromise Game does three simple, but wonderful things:

1. It explains what is actually happening in your sector today
2. It predicts what will happen in the coming years
3. It ends all time-consuming discussions about what is happening and what might be the best strategy to cope with the shifts, by giving you clear and obvious answers.

The game has the power to align the opinions of board members and everybody else in the company by revealing what is happening and then by making it clear what action is necessary in order to be successful (again). The No-Compromise Game provides answers to questions like: How does the consumer see our company, and how do they see our competition? Why has the consumer switched to a new competitor? How can we win back their trust? What should we do about Zooplus, Amazon, Alibaba, et cetera? It is an insightful, and also very entertaining way of truly understanding the shifts in your market, giving you the perfect foundation for formulating an effective strategy.