Download - CCT 355: E-Business Technologies Class 8: Patterns and Strategic Considerations in Business Models
CCT 355: E-Business Technologies
Class 8: Patterns and Strategic Considerations in Business Models
Administration• Proposal/final project questions• This/next week, BMG book• Final project presentation (in Ignite format) Nov 28
Review• Customer Segments• Value Propositions• Channels• Customer
Relationships• Revenue Streams
• Key Resources• Key Activities• Key Partnerships• Cost Structure
Bundling/unbundling• Large organizations = multiple models of operation• Unbundling helps understand of different business models
operating simultaneously• Three core business foci – innovation, customer relations,
infrastructure management – can operate in synergy but they have their own structures and priorities
Product Innovation• Enables early market entry• Speed to market is key• Premium products/pricing often the result, but that’s OK• Creative talent as key resource
Customer Relationship Management
• Acquisition of new customers expensive – aim to retain customers and keep them satisfied
• High touch orientation – customer comes first orientation• Low touch – KISS – works just fine in some industries where
efficiency, not emotion, is the key• Perception of quality is important – e.g., SERVQUAL and
service “gaps”
Infrastructure• Economies of scale to reduce fixed costs• Low unit costs as priority – transactional rationalization vs.
customer relations or innovation• Cost focus – stressing standardization, predictability and
efficiency• What many MBA/CMA programs stress – rationalization vs.
innovation or engagement – which is why business run only by MBAs or accountants may not be successful!
Long Tail Models• Mass or niche market?• Profit through volume vs. profit through higher margins and
specialization• Often depends on customer segments
Multi-sided platforms• Different approaches to different customer segments• E.g. Google – one model for advertisers, another for web
users, another for content creators, another for software development, would be another still for hardware
• Can link together – vertical integration to cross-populate platforms
Example: LEGO• An example of both long-tail and multiple segments• Certainly a mass market – both in product and spinoffs (e.g.,
Legoland theme parks, partnerships with major cultural products)
• Long tail – “hard to get” sets for adult enthusiasts (approximately 1/3 of market!)
• Mass customization – LEGO DesignByMe
Free• (At least one) customer segments receives services/goods for
free• Advertising model a common example – e.g., broadcast TV,
search engines, increasingly newspapers
Freemium• Basics free, pay for more• Allows for sampling and basic use, targeting power users for
cost recovery• Examples?
Bait and Hook• Free/inexpensive – with a catch• “loss leader” hooks customer in and keeps them locked into
product• Razor blades example – stick could be given away for free,
since $$$ is in the replacement blades• Others?
Open/Closed Business Systems• Internal and external
talent and R&D welcome• Avoids “not invented
here” issues• Open market of IP –
not afraid to acquire (or steal?) if required• Often open for others
to do same
• Believes best in field are local already• R&D as internal
process• Control of innovation
process essential – prying eyes must be kept away
Inside-Out/Outside-In• Inside-out – orgs main purpose is R&D, will sell, license core
ideas out for commercialization• Outside-in – weak commitment to internal R&D, will acquire
or partner with outside resources to innovate• Examples?
Strategic forecasting• Business models must change over time• Factors that influence change include:• Key Trends• Industry Forces• Macroeconomic Forces• Market Forces
Key Trends• Effect of new/emerging technologies?• Changes in regulatory frameworks?• Social, cultural, demographic changes?
Industry Forces• Changes in #/size of competitors?• Threat of new entrants• Substitute products/services?• Changes in suppliers/supply chain?
Macroeconomic Factors• Access to capital?• Global market conditions?• Commodity pricing for key resources?• Infrastructure issues?
Market Forces• Changes in customer segments?• Changes in value propositions?• Changes in revenue/cost structures?
Next week• Design and evaluation of business models