Business modeling for sustainability

Many people in business find it hard to navigate the challenges they experience in business since they have no model. Like a dashboard in a vehicle, your model allows you to see at a glance how your business can perform providing the feedback of what can/cannot be done within the given situation.

Filling out the model is the "easy" part. Identifying your unique model takes some doing. It is necessary if you're going to have a chance at succeeding.

Your business model will guide you in your decision making. It will assist you in identifying and qualifying what is a good opportunity for your business and which situations you should avoid. Remember, not all business is good business. Some situations are such, that when you have the hindsight, would have been best avoided.

When you engage in modeling for your business, you'll be able to identify key elements for your business. Here are a few:

• Really identify who your customers are that you serve

• Know what value do you truly offer that would make them want to do business with you

• Pin down the best methods you can use communicate internally/externally

• How will you interact with them? Nowadays we have lost track of who our customers are and their origins. Our busy-ness seems to have become our own downfall.

• Do you know what you have to do in order to remain in business. Many have never bothered to check list their activities related to their business.

• It always feels like we don't have enough resources and seldom know where they can be found, in terms of options.

• Do we even know who we can turn to that can help us in advancing our businesses?

• We also don't know where the money comes from and where it goes. For many, budgeting skills are week, and they don't have the necessary support employed to assist,

There are many things to consider when looking at sustainability within a business. Discuss with your team how you can move your business forward in a manner that gains traction and realizes progress. Work with your team to build a business model that's sustainable.