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The Business Model Canvas is shown as a rectangular box split into nine smaller rectangles. Each rectangle represents a key area of a business. The rectangles are labelled (from left to right) Key partners; Key activities; Value propositions; Customer relationships; Customer segments; Key resources; Channels; Cost structure and Revenue streams. Under each heading is further text to help you understand the purpose of each key area:

Key partners

Who are our key partners?

Who are our key suppliers?

Which key resources are we acquiring from partners?

Which key activities do partners perform?

Motivations for partnerships

Optimization and economy; Reduction of risk and uncertainty; Acquisition of particular resources and activities

Key activities

What key activities do our value propositions require?

Our distribution channels?

Customer relationships?

Revenue streams?

Categories

Production; Problem solving; Platform/Network

Value propositions

What value do we deliver to the customer?

Which one of our customer’s problems are we helping to solve?

What bundles of products and services are we offering to each customer segment?

Which customer needs are we satisfying?

Characteristics

Newness; Performance; Customization; ‘Getting the job done’; Design; Brand/status; Price; Cost reduction; Risk reduction; Accessibility; Convenience/usability

Customer relationships

What type of relationship does each of our customer segments expect us to establish and maintain with them?

Which ones have we established?

How are they integrated with the rest of our business model?

How costly are they?

Examples

Personal assistance; Dedicated personal assistance; Self-service; Automated services; Communities; Co-creation

Customer segments

For whom are we creating value?

Who are our most important customers?

Mass market; Niche market; Segmented; Diversified; Multi-sided platform

Key resources

What key resources do our value propositions require?

Our distribution channels?

Customer relationships?

Revenue streams?

Types of resources

Physical; Intellectual (brand patents, copyrights, data); Human; Financial

Channels

Through which channels do our customer segments want to be reached?

How are we reaching them now?

How are our channels integrated?

Which ones work best?

Which ones are most cost-efficient?

How are we integrating them with customer routines?

Channel phases

1.Awareness

How do we raise awareness about our company’s products and services?

2.Evaluation

How do we help customers evaluate our organization’s value proposition?

3.Purchase

How do we allow customers to purchase specific products and services?

4.Delivery

How do we deliver a value proposition to customers?

5.After sales

How do we provide post-purchase customer support?

Cost structure

What are the most important costs inherent in our business model?

Which key resources are most expensive?

Which key activities are most expensive?

Is your business more

Cost driven (leanest cost structure, low price value proposition, maximum automation, extensive outsourcing)

Value driven (focused on value creation, premium value proposition)

Sample characteristics

Fixed costs (salaries, rents, utilities); Variable costs; Economies of scale; Economies of scope

Revenue streams

For what value are our customers really willing to pay?

For what do they currently pay?

How are they currently paying?

How would they prefer to pay?

How much does each revenue stream contribute to overall revenues?

Types

Asset sale; Usage fee; Subscription fees; Lending/renting/leasing; Licensing; Brokerage fees; Advertising

Fixed pricing

List price; Product feature dependent; Customer segment dependent; Volume dependent

Dynamic pricing

Negotiation (bargaining); Yield management; Real-time-market