Framework
Twelve-Week Restructuring
TL;DR
A structured timeline for transitioning parasitic business relationships to mutualism - or preparing for controlled exit.
A structured timeline for transitioning parasitic business relationships to mutualism - or preparing for controlled exit. For when you're trapped in extraction but can't exit immediately.
When to Use Twelve-Week Restructuring
Use when you've identified a parasitic relationship you can't immediately exit due to revenue dependency, customer expectations, or operational integration. Provides a systematic path to renegotiation or exit.
How to Apply
1
Weeks 1-2: Diagnosis and Documentation
Quantify extraction and identify leverage points.
Questions to Ask
- What value do you provide vs. receive?
- What's the asymmetry magnitude (80/20? 95/5?)?
- What do you provide they can't replace?
- What's your BATNA (walk-away scenario)?
Outputs
- Extraction quantification
- Leverage analysis
- BATNA assessment
2
Weeks 3-4: Design Mutualistic Alternative
Create new terms and build internal support.
Questions to Ask
- What would truly mutualistic terms look like?
- Does redesign pass the three-question test?
- Do you have leadership alignment?
- Are resources secured for BATNA execution?
Outputs
- Ideal/Acceptable/Unacceptable scenarios
- Internal alignment
3
Weeks 5-8: Renegotiation
Open negotiation, prepare alternatives, reach decision point.
Questions to Ask
- Are they engaging constructively?
- Have you begun BATNA preparation in parallel?
- Has progress been made by Week 8?
Outputs
- Negotiation outcome
- BATNA readiness
4
Weeks 9-12: Validation and Adjustment
Implement new structure, monitor, measure results, decide.
Questions to Ask
- Are new terms being honored?
- Is the relationship actually mutualistic now?
- What would you do differently next time?
Outputs
- Restructuring validation
- Lessons documented