Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Profiting from Collaborative Business Relationships
The Stakeholder Strategy by Ann Svendsen is a thought-provoking book that explores the importance of engaging with all stakeholders in order to create sustainable business success. It offers practical advice and strategies for building strong relationships with customers, employees, and communities.
In the realm of modern business, the BC Hydro project at the Allouette River hydroelectric dam serves as a poignant example of the evolving relationship between companies and stakeholders. Originally, BC Hydro's intention to upscale power production was met with significant resistance: government regulators, First Nation peoples, and environmental action groups united in their opposition. It wasn't until the Allouette River Management Society threatened legal action that BC Hydro shifted its strategy. They decided to sit with their adversaries as equals in a committee, leveling the playing field and promoting collaboration over confrontation.
Traditionally, the dynamic between companies and their stakeholders – be they employees, customers, suppliers, or others – was transactional and combative. The primary aim was to extract maximum value for shareholders from each transaction. This zero-sum approach inherently placed stakeholders in competition, vying for their piece of a limited resource pie.
However, the BC Hydro case illustrates a departure from this norm. Their willingness to engage on equal footing led to a collaborative strategy which, after eight rigorous months, achieved consensus. Their approach not only addressed concerns but did so proactively, fostering a sense of shared ownership in the outcomes. The benefits of this approach became so evident that BC Hydro began integrating it into other project designs across their organization.
This evolution in stakeholder engagement mirrors a larger shift in business thinking, spurred by systems theory. Systems theory posits that stakeholders aren't isolated entities competing for resources – instead, they form an interconnected ecosystem. Within this ecosystem, public perception, quality of relationships with suppliers, and interactions with governmental bodies play crucial roles in a business's societal footprint.
While in the West, many stakeholder relationships are still cemented by contracts and written agreements, the need for human-centric, trust-based partnerships is becoming increasingly evident. Most modern organizations, recognizing this, are investing in stakeholder management strategies.
As the web of stakeholder interconnections grows denser, and as global organizations continue to expand their reach, business theorists are pointing to an emergent paradigm they term the “Third Way”. At its core, this approach prioritizes fostering positive, symbiotic relationships that bolster the overall system's health. There's a robust business rationale behind this: shifting from mere stakeholder management to deep-rooted collaborative relationships is the future of business strategy. Companies are now seeing the advantage of understanding stakeholders in their entirety, resonating with their intrinsic motivations and values. This isn't just about appeasing a select group – it's about creating a harmonious ecosystem where all parties thrive.
By understanding and valuing stakeholders holistically, companies like BC Hydro are reaping benefits: heightened loyalty, increased creativity, and genuine reciprocity. This approach requires initial investments in time and trust but promises long-term resilience and adaptability.
In essence, sustainable business success now hinges on the quality of stakeholder relationships, pointing towards a future where collaboration and mutual benefit reign supreme.
The Stakeholder Strategy (1998) provides a business case for building for transitioning from transactional, profit-maximizing models to a "Third Way" approach built on mutually beneficial partnerships across stakeholders. It makes the research-backed case that stakeholder-oriented companies leading with higher purpose outperform rivals in the long run, and offers a framework for building stronger and more impactful stakeholder relationships.
The Stakeholder Strategy (2019) by Ann Svendsen is a book that provides a comprehensive approach to managing stakeholders in organizations. Here's why this book is worth reading:
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of The Stakeholder Strategy?
The main message of The Stakeholder Strategy is to prioritize the needs of all stakeholders for sustainable business success.
How long does it take to read The Stakeholder Strategy?
The reading time for The Stakeholder Strategy can vary, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Stakeholder Strategy a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Stakeholder Strategy is a valuable read for anyone interested in effective business strategies. It provides insights and practical guidance for achieving long-term success.
Who is the author of The Stakeholder Strategy?
The author of The Stakeholder Strategy is Ann Svendsen.