Workshop held by Patrick Keenan, facilitated by Lizzie 

The idea of the workshop was to briefly introduced the business model canvas of Alex Osterwalder. 9 building blocks from the customer to the key partners via value propositions, cost structure and revenue streams.

First buzz group work was to describe in 5 minutes the business model of Apple. Each group came up with topics such as products, design, innovation, hardware, software, community.

This was to prove that when dealing with business models, we have to share the same language to understand each other (whenever you are dealing with people having different backgrounds)

That is where the business model canvas helps with the centralized concept of value proposition. Hence it helps debating on what are the ideas that fit in the boxes.

Second workshop was to design the BM of a generic bank, using the canvas. That was a lot easier to end with somewhat the same big blocks. However, because we were concern about the social impacts, we soon pointed out that something was missing in the canvas.

Third workshop was to take an example of a company that had a big social impact, design its business model, and find where to add a box with the «social» concept.

I worked with my group on Kiva.org, which is basically an internet platform that facilitate donators and micro finance institution to meet.

The social box was for us at the centre, under the value propositions block. Because actually all blocks have an impact that can be financial, environmental, social.

Alex is trying to add this social topic on the canvas, that will particularly fit for social companies, and help the social entrepreneur to redesign its business models in order to innovate.

Attendance was a mix of bankers, social entrepreneurs, students in politics, IT engineers, consultants.

Check the following website for more information : www.businessmodelsbeyondprofit.com