Business wargaming has long been about anticipating the moves of competitors—a way for generals on the battlefield to outmaneuver their opponents. In a Strategy Quest, however, competition is just one piece of the puzzle.
To create a truly immersive, high-stakes environment, we’ve introduced over 50 different agents—ranging from strategic partners to market forces, internal stakeholders, and unexpected disruptors. These agents add layers of complexity, negotiation, and power plays, making the experience feel as real as possible.
While we won’t reveal every agent that could appear in your Quest, here’s a glimpse into two firms that may cross your path:
McBain Strategy Partners: The Power Players in Corporate Strategy
McBain Strategy Partners (MSP) is a globally renowned consultancy known for its data-driven, results-focused approach to business transformation. Founded in 1978, MSP built its reputation by guiding Fortune 500 companies through market entry, corporate restructuring, and innovation management.
MSP operates with a hands-on, immersive model, embedding consultants into client teams to ensure strategy execution goes beyond the slide deck. Their approach revolves around:
• Deep-Dive Diagnostics – Exhaustive research into company weaknesses, stakeholder priorities, and competitive positioning.
• Custom Strategy Design – Tailored, non-cookie-cutter frameworks such as “The Bridge Model,” which links short-term execution to long-term transformation.
• Executive Alignment – Coaching senior leadership to drive internal change and keep strategy grounded in reality.
MSP isn’t just an advisory firm—it’s a power broker. The firm’s past relationships with clients like Aeki show how alliances can shift over time, from high-impact collaborations to strategic rifts. Whether MSP becomes a trusted partner or a challenging force in your Strategy Quest depends on how your team navigates its influence.
Atelier Kanso: The Artisans of High-End Design
Atelier Kanso is not your typical furniture brand. This independent design house, founded in Kyoto in 2017, is revered for its precision-crafted, small-batch collections that blend artistic vision with engineering excellence. Kanso is selective about collaborations, choosing only those that align with its philosophy of:
• Aesthetic Harmony – Every piece is a fusion of minimalism and intricate craftsmanship.
• Material Innovation – The studio experiments with rare and sustainable materials, prioritizing quality over scale.
• Exclusive Commissions – Kanso works with major brands but on its own terms, making each partnership a careful negotiation.
Aeki’s CEO personally invested in Atelier Kanso during its early days, yet their relationship remains undefined. Some within Aeki argue that a high-end collaboration with Kanso could elevate the brand’s premium positioning. Others, like Aeki’s Head of Strategy, worry that Kanso’s artisanal approach and premium pricing clash with Aeki’s mass-market appeal.
If Atelier Kanso enters your Strategy Quest, you’ll face key decisions: Does your firm embrace a high-end niche, or do you push for scalability at the risk of compromising artistic integrity?
The Strategy Quest Network: A Web of Influence
McBain Strategy Partners and Atelier Kanso are just two examples of the many forces that may shape your Strategy Quest. Every agent we introduce has a history, a strategic agenda, and the potential to either enable—or obstruct—your success.
Your ability to read between the lines, forge alliances, and navigate power plays will define your experience. Business isn’t just about beating the competition—it’s about managing the broader ecosystem of stakeholders, influencers, and decision-makers.
Are you ready to step into the game and see where your strategy takes you?