How should you grow your organization? It's one of the most challenging questions an executive
team facesand the wrong answer can break your firm. The problem is most firms' growth
strategies emphasize just one type of growthsome focus on organic growth others on M&A. When
these strategies falter the common response is simply to try harderbut firms falling into this
implementation trap usually end up losing out to a competitor whose approach is more inclusive.
So where do you start? By asking the right questions argue INSEAD's Laurence Capron and
coauthor Will Mitchell of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and
Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Drawing on decades of research and teaching Capron
and Mitchell find that a firm's aptitude for determining the best resource pathways for growth
has a defining impact on its success. They've come up with a helpful framework reflecting
practices of a variety of successful global organizations to determine which path is best for
yours. The resource pathways framework is built around three strategic questions: BUILD: Are
your existing internal resources relevant for developing the new resources that you have
targeted for growth? BORROW: Could you obtain the targeted resources via an effective
relationship with a resource partner? BUY: Do you need broad and deep relationships with your
resource provider? Written for large multinationals and emerging firms alike Build Borrow or
Buy will help solve a perennial question and will guide you through change while priming your
organization for optimal growth.
