The Strategic MBA Models Every Business Should Use in 2025”

From Tactics to Strategy: 7 MBA Models Every Business Should Use in 2025

Introduction:
Too many businesses jump straight into marketing tactics, running ads, posting on social media, or trying the latest tool, without taking time to build a solid strategy. The result? Scattered efforts, inconsistent messaging, and wasted budgets.

Strategic planning gives you clarity. It helps you understand your market, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions. Some of the best tools for this process are tried-and-tested MBA analysis models, which remain highly relevant in 2025.

Here’s the order I recommend for using them:

1. PESTLE Analysis

Why start here?

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PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) analysis scans the external environment.

• Are there new regulations or legal risks?
  
  
• How are trends like AI or sustainability affecting your industry?
  
  
• What economic shifts might impact your customers?
  
  

PESTLE ensures you understand the big-picture context before diving into your own business.

2. Porter’s 5 Forces

Why is it next?

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Michael Porter’s model helps you evaluate your competitive landscape.

• How intense is the competition?
  
  
• Are there substitutes for your product or service?
  
  
• What power do your suppliers or buyers have?
  
  

This shapes your understanding of where you can position your business effectively.

3. SWOT Analysis

Why SWOT now:

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Once you understand the external environment (PESTLE) and competitive forces (Porter’s), you can analyse your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

SWOT bridges the gap between external opportunities and your internal capabilities.

4. Product/Service Life Cycle Analysis

Why this matters:

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Are your products in the introduction, growth, maturity, or decline stage?
This analysis helps you adapt your marketing and sales approach to match the lifecycle stage.

5. BCG Matrix (Boston Consulting Group Matrix)

Why now:

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The BCG matrix helps you allocate resources between different products or services.

• Which offerings are Stars (fast-growing and profitable)?
  
  
• Which are Cash Cows?
  
  
• Which are Question Marks or Dogs?
  
  

This prevents wasted investment and helps you focus on high-potential areas.

6. Ansoff Matrix

Why next:

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The Ansoff Growth Matrix shows your options for growth:

• Market penetration
  
  
• Product development
  
  
• Market development
  
  
• Diversification
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This is where you start thinking about how to grow strategically, based on all the insights so far.

7. SOSTAC Planning Framework

The final step:

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SOSTAC (Situation, Objectives, Strategy, Tactics, Actions, Control) is the structure that brings all your analysis into a single actionable plan.

• Situation (what’s happening now?)
  
  
• Objectives (where do you want to be?)
  
  
• Strategy (how will you get there?)
  
  
• Tactics (specific marketing channels and activities)
  
  
• Actions (who does what and when?)
  
  
• Control (how will you measure success?)
  
  

Conclusion:

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In 2025, these models will remain as relevant as ever, especially in a fast-changing market. If you’re serious about growth, don’t jump straight to tactics.

‍Take time to analyse and plan strategically.

If you would like to discuss a strategic review for your business, book your FREE consultation call here.

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