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Six Stakeholder Business Evaluation Framework

Reusability

A method for evaluating any company by scoring how well it serves six core stakeholder groups: customers, vendors, employees, investors, regulators, and communities where it operates.

How It Works

Each stakeholder group has interests that must be balanced. When one group consistently loses, it creates risk that can eventually threaten the entire business. The framework forces systematic evaluation of win-win scenarios.

Components

1

List all six stakeholder groups: customers, vendors, employees, investors, regulators, communities

2

Score each group A-F on how well the company serves their interests

3

Identify any group scoring below C as a risk area

4

Look for systemic patterns where one group consistently loses

5

Design strategies to improve failing stakeholder relationships

When to Use

When evaluating companies as an investor, job candidate, or entrepreneur. When diagnosing business problems or planning strategic decisions.

When Not to Use

For very early stage startups where some stakeholder relationships don't yet exist. In crisis situations where short-term survival requires temporarily disadvantaging some groups.

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

Optimizing for one stakeholder group at the expense of others long-termIgnoring regulatory or community concerns until they become crisesAssuming all stakeholder needs can be met equally in all situations

Example

Evaluating Airbnb: guests love it (A), homeowners profit (A), investors did well (A), employees seem happy (A), but regulators have mixed feelings (C) and communities often protest parties (D). The D in communities represents long-term risk requiring strategic attention.