Strategic
Development

Nothing is more valuable than a clear understanding of an industry, market, or competition, with the right context and perspective. In my opinion, most strategy is deficient and missing a qualitative understanding of customers and other stakeholders. Without this, product/services and operational plans are doomed to be ineffective. I can help identify and validate opportunities and strategic plans from a variety of lenses:

• Business Strategy (Customer & Stakeholder Engagement, Operational Readiness, Process, Methods, etc.)
• Investment Due Diligence (Design & Culture Assessment)
• Startup Strategy Review (Customer Engagement, Operations Readiness, Funding Readiness, etc.)
• Brand Strategy (Assessment, Process, and Formulation)
• Sustainability Review and Strategy (Formulation)
• Foresight Workshops

Select Clients:

• News Limited, Australia
• Blurb
• Azure Nutriceuticals
• Webby Awards
• Nike
• Swissbank

Innovation &
Team Culture

Too often, innovation efforts are set-up for failure within organizations. Innovation is never easy and there are plenty of things that can derail the best intentions. Sometimes, an outside eye (and ear) can identify bad directions and implementations faster than anyone on the inside. I can add insight with:

• Skills, Methods, and Culture Readiness (Review & Recommendations)
• Research Review & Recommendations (Customer, Market, and Methods)
• Concept Development (Review & Recommendations)
• Product and Service Development Prototype and Production
• Customer Experience Audit & Strategy Development
• Proofs of Concept 
• SciFi Workshops

Select Clients:

• Tissue Genesis
• Okyanos Global Health
• Treasure8
• Eco Factor
• Blurb
• Herman Miller
• Kellogg’s
• Microsoft
• Intel
• Swissbank
• Nike
• Kodak

Sustainability Strategy

Sustainability concerns aren’t optional any longer. From competition for and increased cost of resources to customer-driven concerns about social and environmental values, all organizations need to, at least, have some kind of approach to ecological, economic, social, and cultural issues. Nathan is a leader in sustainability strategy and can perform several levels of evaluation and development:

• Corporate Sustainability Strategy Review, Recommendations, and Development
• Product/Service Sustainability Review & Recommendations
• Team Sustainability Training & Workshops
• Sustainability Labeling Systems & Type 1 and 3 Label Design

Select Projets:

• Reveal
• Drive Neutral & Fly Neutral

Experience

I am an unparalleled thought leader in the areas of business, innovation, design, and sustainability. In addition, I am a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of experience creating new companies in addition to innovative new products and services. My focus is on customer-focused innovation that builds deep relationships and increases value for company and customers alike. I use design-based techniques in both product and service development as well as in enhanced business and market strategy.

Some of these techniques were developed and proven as the founder and chair of the ground-breaking Design MBA programs at California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco, CA. My approach reimagines that a successful business is in the 21st Century is not only profitable, but also sustainable, ethical, and truly meaningful. In this model, value is bidirectionally derived from deep relationships between an organization and the customers and other stakeholders it serves.

I can help you better articulate strategy, understand your customers, discover more valuable opportunities, and check your progress on specific products and services. I can coach you or your team on new techniques and articulating your value to investors, employers, managers, or peers.

Education

Nathan earned an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School in 2006 and a BS in Transportation Design from Art Center College of Design in 1989.