The Business Model Canvas – Map out your Modernisation Journey
First of all, let’s give credit where it is due, The Business Model Canvas was created by Alexander Osterwalder, of Strategyzer.
The business model canvas is a great tool to help you understand a business model in a straightforward, structured way.
Traditionally, this canvas has been used for leading to insights about the customers you serve, what value propositions are offered through what channels, and how your company makes money.
We use the business model canvas to help you understand your own business model and how to use it to make changes to your business model as you embark on your Modernisation or Transformation journey.
1. Before You Start
Checklist
⊗ Get the right team of 3-5 people together
⊗ Grab a large chunk of wall space
⊗ Print or draw the canvas on a big sheet of paper
⊗ Have plenty of sticky notes and markers ready
⊗ Allow yourself 45-60 minutes of undisturbed time
2. High Level
Start by mapping out the business on a high level: only the most important, vital aspects of the business model.
TIP! Try to make your criteria as clear as possible, so that you and others will still understand what they mean in three months time. Split up more complex design criteria.
3. Connect Building Blocks
Link up the building blocks: every value proposition needs a customer segment and a revenue stream! When everything is on the board, take a step back. Have a short break. Did you miss anything? Forget something?
Tip! If you have multiple customer segments it is best to pick a colour for each segment in the post-it notes you use. That way you easily see if for each segment there is a value proposition and a revenue stream.
4. Current State
Don’t mix ideas for a future state with what is going on right now, and don’t mix different departments!
Tip! If you work for a large organisation you might find varying value propositions and business models. In that case, ask the different departments to map out their own business models. You can compare them afterwards.
5. Review
Take a step back check if every customer segment is linked to a value proposition and a revenue stream. Make sure everything on the left side of the canvas is needed to support the right side of the canvas. Everything else can go.
Rank your business model’s performance (0:bad, 10:excellent) for each of the following questions:
⊗ How scalable is your business model?
⊗ Does your business model produce recurring revenues?
⊗ Do you earn before you spend?
⊗ How much of the work can be done by others?
⊗ Does your business model provide the most efficient way for you to run your organisation?
⊗ On what cost structure is your business model based?
6. Next Steps
Tip! Have a graphic artist visualise your business model. It helps to create an impact when sharing the model and it makes it easier for others to become connected.
Checklist
⊗ Take a snapshot picture of your business model canvas for easy to share future reference
⊗ Ask team-members to discuss the business model with others
⊗ Trigger team-members to actively look for 1-2 blind spots
⊗ Filter out the design criteria
⊗ Test your assumptions
The business model canvas is a shared language for describing, visualizing, assessing and changing business models. It describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers and captures value.
This is an iterative process, give it a go, practice, share it, talk about it!
How can we help?
Talk to us about how we can help your organisation Map out your Business Models. Making it real is what we do.
How can you connect with us?
We’d love to hear about your journey. Did reflecting on the Business Model Canvas help?
About the Author
Jason Novobranec is Implementary’s Chief Operating Officer.
With over 20 years of Consulting, Program Management & Senior Leadership experience, Jason has delivered initiatives for large multi-national / multi-regional organisations as well as SME’s and is an expert in shaping solutions to fit a customer’s project needs.