Week 1: Impressions of the “Business Model Generation.”

This blog focuses on the text "Business Model Generation". The text starts off describing the 9 different building blocks which a business model can be broken down into. Based on those building blocks the author introduces a "Business Model Canvas" as a "tool" that helps generate and analyze a business model.  In principal it helps structuring the business plan by identifying key requirements, which the text names "building blocks", and then looking at the various business activities in connection with the building blocks. The canvas shows all those "blocks" on one sheet, allowing the analyst to gain a good overview over the advantages and disadvantages of the business model.

I like the simplicity of the tool and to me the key requirements, or building blocks, of the business model make sense. They might not be exhaustive, but are certainly a good starting point. It doesn't claim to be the only tool needed and doesn't replace other marketing and business analysis tools but rather complements those. It's main advantage is the overview over the main business areas.