Business Model Canvas

The full title of this short book by Alexander M Schmid is

90 Shades of Innovation: Explorative Questions for the Business Model Canvas.

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book 2 Stars.

Here is my book review.

Just questions, no explanations

The full title promises 90 questions to help you with the business model canvas and 90 questions is exactly what you get. There are ten questions for each of the nine sections, so some feel more forced than others.

There is no discussion of the canvas.

No explanation of the questions, comments about any weaknesses in its logic or the common mistakes people make when using it. No checks that there is a logical flow, just the questions. [continue reading…]

Here is a video that’s just under 10 minutes long which explains the Business Model Canvas in a reasonable level of detail. It’s been produced by The Business Channel.

The Business Model Canvas was explained in the book Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. (I gave it a Four Star rating.)

It brings together nine components of a business in a one page form:

1. Key Activities
2. Key Resources
3. Partner Network
4. Value Propositions
5. Customer Segments
6. Channel
7. Customer Relationships
8. Cost Structure
9. Revenue Streams

Why I Like This Video

1. The business model canvas is a very useful way to think about the logic of a business. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a new start-up or whether it’s an established business which has got stuck and needs a turnaround in performance.
2. It gives you more details than the 2 Minute Business Model Canvas Video without overwhelming you or requiring too much investment of your time before you decide to dig in deeper.

Get To Know Me

[sos]

[6Steps]

Here is a short video from the developers of the Business Model Canvas and the Value Proposition Canvas. It’s less than 5 minutes long.

I’ve always felt that the value proposition is at the core of a business and often a great place to focus if the business needs to get unstuck or have a performance turnaround.

What is a value proposition? There are lots of definitions but, at the moment, let’s go with…

How you meet customers needs and differentiate your business away from competitors with an advantage that’s better, cheaper or different.

The logic behind the Business Model Canvas was introduced in the book Business Model Generation. The authors followed it up with a more detailed look at the connection between two of the nine elements in the Business Model Canvas in a book called Value Proposition Design. The two segments were the Products & Services and the Customer Segments.

I’ve been critical of the books for having more style than substance. They look great but they don’t provide enough information and guidance. The underlying concepts are sound, even if they use slightly different language than I prefer.

I also worry that the exercise can be reduced to form filling rather than deep thinking. It’s the old analogy that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.” You can provide a useful framework but you can’t make business managers and owners consider all the implications. Too many are intellectually lazy but hopefully you’re different.

Why I Like The Video

1. Value Propositions are poorly understood at the strategic/marketing levels. The Value Proposition Canvas can help you to focus on important issues.
2. The video is very short so it gives you a chance to watch it and decide for yourself whether you like the approach.

Get To Know Me

[sos]

[6Steps]

Here is a two minute video quickly explaining the Business Model Canvas from Strategyzer, the consulting firm of the creators.

The Business Model Canvas has gained great popularity after it was introduced to me in the book Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. (Click on the link to read my thoughts about why I gave it a Four Star rating.)

Its purpose is to help a business owner/senior manager to design their business model to satisfy customers and make a profit. It requires you to be specific about nine elements in the business.

Why I Like This Video

1. It is super quick.
2. It’s a good introduction of how the 9 elements fit together logically.
3. It’s useful to get you enthusiastic about the Business Model Canvas before asking you to watch a longer video.

Who Is The Business Model Canvas For?

The canvas can be applied to business start-ups as part of the initial planning and design stage of the business.

It can also be used by an established business that is looking to either:

• Go from being stuck and under-performing to identifying what needs to change for the business to be turned around.
• Enter a new market or niche. Even if the new market is closely related to the existing market, using the canvas helps you to identify the thi

Get To Know Me

[sos]

[6Steps]

The full title of this book by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur is

“Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers“.

In my review on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book a rating of Four Stars. This means that it is Good and Well Worth Reading.

Here is my book review.

More style than substance

This is a remarkable triumph of visual design. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book like it before.

I have some criticisms about how easy it is to read and the fact that the content is more style over substance. For one thing, to create space for all the funky images, the words are in a small font. I was OK but I know that some people will struggle.

I really like the idea of the one page Business Model Canvas which is described as “a shared language for describing, visualising, assessing and changing business models.” It looks very useful to summarise your existing business model and for moving towards better ways to create, deliver and capture value. [continue reading…]

The full title of this book by Alexander Osterwalder et al is

Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want

In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave it 3 Stars.

Here is my review.

It might make your head hurt…

This is a very stylish book, starting with the front and back covers which show the effects of good and bad value proposition designs respectively. It also includes access to online templates and exercises.

It is a follow-up to their earlier book Business Model Generation.

Does the style overwhelm the substance? [continue reading…]