As I discuss in the previous article that the 9 Blocks Business Model Canvas has acquired a respectable number of loyal practitioners. The tool used by business owners and managers to plan their strategy and business model regardless to the nature of business or products. It helps the business as a concise tool for thinking through the business and keeping the key points highly visible to all the stakeholders. The graphical, one-page framework allows business manager to design, describe and/or challenge the business model.
The nine “building blocks” of the business model design template as in the the canvas that came to be called the Business Model Canvas were initially proposed in 2005 by Alexander Osterwalder. The nine blocks business model canvas template is given below for reference (Click HERE for full article).
9 Blocks Business Model Canvas Template | Source: Compiled by Author | Copyright © 2020 – iammoulude.wordpress.com. All right reserved.
Business Model Canvas provides a holistic view of the business as a whole through a set of comprehensive building blocks. Before start development of the model a comparative analysis on the input of each box is crucial to understand the impact of company investments and other contributing factors.
However, understanding the model has never been easy. To make the model more understandable for the users, I have prepared and presented some business model canvas examples using the template. For the example preparation, I focus on five different sector business that possess different aspects and challenges. The example companies are from the following sectors.
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Sharing Economy – Uber
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Global eCommerce – Alibaba
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Reservation Platform – Booking.com
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Social Media – Facebook
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Digital Content – Netflix
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The following are the business model canvas examples for mentioned businesses and industries.
1. Sharing Economy Business Model Canvas – Uber
For a sharing economy business, it is company needs to ensure the value proposition for both the partners and customer. The below Business Model Canvas example shows that Uber segmentation is also geo-demographic as the service seems to employ drivers who live in areas with the highest unemployment rates.
Business Model Canvas – Uber | Source: Compiled by Author | Copyright © 2020 – iammoulude.wordpress.com. All right reserved.
2. eCommerce Business Model Canvas – Alibaba
The Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba is an ecosystem of marketplaces that connects buyers and sellers all over the world. They act as the mediator of the deals and keep a margin of each & every sale/purchase that is being done through the website. Moreover, they offer annual subscriptions to maintain their Accounts/Online Shops.
Business Model Canvas – Alibaba | Source: Compiled by Author | Copyright © 2020 – iammoulude.wordpress.com. All right reserved.
3. Reservation Platform Business Model Canvas – Booking.com
Booking.com is one of the biggest Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) that provides online accommodation reservations. Over the years Booking has been able to keep growing thanks to its expansion, acquisition of other brands, and its ability to create a sticky platform for its users.
Business Model Canvas – Booking.com | Source: Compiled by Author | Copyright © 2020 – iammoulude.wordpress.com. All right reserved.
4. Social Media Business Model Canvas – Facebook
Facebook has been a pioneer in triggering a social media revolution in the digital hemisphere. Facebook’s key properties (ecosystem) are its various platforms which all have separate apps/websites. Regardless of the nationality, background, continent or location, as long as there is Internet connectivity present, then Facebook is always available for you to access.
Business Model Canvas – Facebook | Source: Compiled by Author | Copyright © 2020 – iammoulude.wordpress.com. All right reserved.
5. Digital Content Business Model Canvas – Netflix
Netflix provides simple self-setup on TVs, mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, and more devices. To help customers with any issues that arise over time, they provide customer service support on the phone as well as a live chat option and help center online. To build deeper relationships and brand resonance, Netflix also engages with customers through gift card offers, social media and more.
Business Model Canvas – Netflix | Source: Compiled by Author | Copyright © 2020 – iammoulude.wordpress.com. All right reserved.
Concluding Thoughts
With the same products, service, platform or technology some fails and some succeed. The ultimate outcomes of the business depend on the model you choose and interpretation of the information in blocks. Understanding how the approach works and implementing in own though process is completely different. However, the examples can help you to at least to find from where to start and to get the wheels turning in the right direction.
Most of the cases, business plan didn’t work out the way the entrepreneur intends it to. The only way to be prepared and effective in the ever-changing market is to stay dynamic and ready to act. The example stated above may serve as helping guideline for the business owners or managers.
Also Read: Business Development Model of Canvas: The 9 Building Block Approach
Also Read: Lean Canvas Business Model for Start Ups: Basics with Hypothetical Examples
iammoulude 
Excellent work. With these examples, the model is looking more understandable now. Keep the good work up!
Posted by Anirban Das Shimanto | June 13, 2020, 6:37 pmThanks Shimanto, I am glad you liked it. Lets catch out someday and have some quality time together.
Posted by Md. Moulude Hossain | June 13, 2020, 7:27 pmInteresting read. I am a great fan of the business model canvas. Thanks for the additional clarification with example.
Posted by Raihan Mallik Abed | June 13, 2020, 6:48 pmThank for your comment. Business Model Canvas surely deserve the appreciation.
Posted by Md. Moulude Hossain | June 13, 2020, 7:26 pmLove this approach compared to the conventional business plan idea!! Great stuff and the examples make it more useful.
Posted by Sadrul Islam | June 14, 2020, 11:27 amYes, the business model canvas approach are more appropriate than the conventional approches. I am glad you liked it.
Posted by Md. Moulude Hossain | June 14, 2020, 4:16 pmI’ve learnt about business model before now, however this example business cases and concise explanation is great to get through! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Khalid Muntasir Fazol | June 14, 2020, 2:30 pmThanks for your appreciation. Yes with example models become more understandable.
Posted by Md. Moulude Hossain | June 14, 2020, 4:14 pmThanks a lot. This article has helped me a lot to understand the business model canvas, especially with the examples provided it make it more practical.
Posted by Maruful Hoque | June 14, 2020, 5:09 pmThanks for the informative article. With reference to the example of Alibaba, suppose I am starting an e-commerce business that will have both B2B and B2C, is it better to have a single Business Model Canvas for both business types? or should I separate them model build up like a business model canvas for the B2B and another business model canvas for the B2C? Thanks in advance
Posted by H M Shafiqul Islam | June 14, 2020, 5:12 pmYou should build both customers into one model under different customer segments. The point of the canvas is to show all of the functions in one page making it easy to digest, I would say making two complicates things slightly and id imagine you’d have some overlap in the other 8 sections too.
Posted by Md. Moulude Hossain | June 14, 2020, 5:14 pm