How PostAuto Reinvented its Business Model for the 21st Century

The Challenge

With a fleet of 2,400 vehicles, a network spanning more than 12,000 kilometers, and 155 million passengers transported every year, PostAuto is the market leader in public bus transport in Switzerland. For more than 100 years, the subsidiary of the Swiss Post has provided regional and rural bus services throughout the entire country. PostAuto needed a methodical way to de-risk its idea and learn fast, so they chose the BMI Launchpad — an end-to-end program that takes teams from first concept to market launch in about six months.

Our Approach

We approached this engagement using our proven four-phase methodology: Diagnose, Design, Deliver, Scale. Beginning with a comprehensive diagnostic — stakeholder interviews, competitive benchmarking and internal capability mapping — we established a clear baseline before any strategic options were proposed.

In the design phase, we co-created strategic options with the leadership team using the St. Gallen Business Model Navigator framework. Each option was stress-tested against real market conditions and validated with external stakeholders. This rigorous process ensured that only the most viable paths forward were pursued.

Results & Impact

The engagement delivered tangible results on multiple levels: strategic clarity for the leadership team, a validated roadmap with clear priorities, and the internal capability to execute independently. Most critically, the organisation left with new ways of thinking that will compound over time.

This case exemplifies the Seconds approach to transformation: grounding every recommendation in rigorous method, maintaining entrepreneurial speed throughout, and ensuring that by the end of the engagement, the client team is stronger — not dependent.