Strategic Foundations - Transforming Menopause Support
The Growth Challenge
The core objective was to develop a comprehensive strategic foundation for a startup in the menopause support space. This went beyond a typical business planning exercise. The challenge was to create a purpose-driven approach that could genuinely transform how women experience and navigate menopause, bridging medical expertise with innovative solutions that address both the clinical and emotional dimensions of this significant life transition.
The Clients
At the heart of this project were two distinguished medical professionals from the Inselspital, the University Clinic in Bern, Switzerland. Prof. Dr. Petra Stute, a globally recognised expert in endocrinology, serves as the deputy head physician for gynaecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine. Together with Dr. Boban, they brought deep medical expertise and a passionate commitment to improving women's health during a still under-addressed life stage.
The Approach
Step 1: Comprehensive Landscape Assessment
We conducted an extensive analysis of the menopause support ecosystem. This involved a multi-dimensional exploration that included:
Drawing inspiration for health campaigns like AIDS and breast cancer
Detailed mapping of client groups and their specific needs
Insights from medical professionals and domain experts
Comprehensive review of existing companies, organisations, and associations
Critical evaluation of current offers and service gaps in the market
This thorough assessment provided the strategic groundwork, revealing unique opportunities and potential approaches to address the unmet needs of women experiencing menopause.
Step 2: Strategic Definition Workshop
Building on the landscape insights, we facilitated an intensive full-day collaborative workshop. The goal was to translate our findings and collective expertise into concrete strategic foundations:
A clear and meaningful purpose
An inspiring vision for the future
A mission that would guide the organisation's efforts
A sustainable and impactful business model
Initial brand positioning strategy
The workshop concluded with a pragmatic action plan to transform our strategic thinking into executable initiatives.
The Results
In just three weeks, we successfully transformed an initial concept into robust strategic foundations for MenoQueens. The collaborative process yielded:
A well-defined purpose that speaks to the core challenge of supporting women through menopause
A vision that looks beyond current healthcare paradigms
A mission that aligns medical expertise with compassionate support
A clear business model addressing market gaps
An authentic brand positioning that resonates with the target audience
The outcome was not just a strategic document, but a blueprint for a potential paradigm shift in menopause support.
“ From the beginning to the end, Heike demonstrated to be extremely solution oriented and highly committed to the task as if it was her own project. Combined with an impeccable focus on getting things started and done, she supported us both professionally and morally to achieve a very satisfying result within a relatively short time. Highly recommended.”