Potential Business Models

1. Design physical products/merchandise
2. Manufacture physical products/merchandise
3. Sell physical products/merchandise
4. Create information/content/data
5. Aggregate or distribute information/content/data
6. Provide personal or business service
7. Provide expert advice/consultation
8. Provide money/financing
9. Provide labor or human resources
10. Transport products/services
11. Provide infrastructure/telecommunications
12. Provide in-person or online marketplace for others to sell goods or services

Questions That Must be Answered in a Business Model

1. Who are the target customers for this business venture?
2. How will this venture create and deliver value for these customers?
3. What, who, where is the primary competition for this venture?
   
4. How is the enterprise different and better than the competition?
5. What are the primary core competencies of this venture?
6. What is the scope of products, processes, and activities of this venture?
7. How is this venture organization structured?
8. How will this venture capture value for profit?
9. How will this venture grow, and over what time period?
   
10. How will this venture attract and retain talent?

Tips for Developing a Venture Strategy

1. Develop the vision statement, the mission statement, and the business model
2. Describe the industry and context for the firm and its competitors
3. Determine the firm’s strengths and weaknesses in the context of the industry and environment
4. Describe the firm’s core competencies, its customers, and its competitive advantage
5. Describe the opportunities and threats for the venture
6. Identify the critical success factors
7. Formulate strategic options and select the appropriate strategy
8. Translate the strategy into action plans with suitable measures and controls

[Thank you, Tom Beyers]

Elements of a Marketing and Sales Plan

1. Market research and analysis ... customers, problem, solutions, competition, risk and reward, resources, feasibility ...
2. Opportunity
3. Mission
4. Business model
5. Marketing objectives
6. Sales goals
7. Competitive advantage strategies
8. Positioning strategies
9. Target market and customer segments
10. Product and service offerings
11. Value proposition
12. Pricing strategies
13. Sales strategies and tactics
14. Distribution strategies
15. Promotional strategies
16. Customer relationship management

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