Resources to Use to Create a Business Model Canvas
As you develop you various iterations of a business model canvas, you will likely use information from prior knowledge or experience, advice from industry experts of business mentors, information you gather during your testing and talking with target customers, etc. However, you will also likely want to use some information we have in various databases, which are listed below.
Key Partners
Includes buyer-supplier relationships or complementary business alliances.
Thomas Register of Manufacturers This link opens in a new windowProvides a directory for manufactures, distributors, and sellers in the US and Canada.
Mergent Online This link opens in a new window IBISWorld This link opens in a new windowProvides industry reports and overviews, including buyer-supplier relationships on a general, industry-wide level.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowContains news and trade articles which might talk about the key partners in specific industries.
Key Activities
These are the most important activities needed to execute the value proposition.
Mergent Online This link opens in a new windowContains company profiles and detailed business information, including financials, annual plans/10Ks, and more.
Nexis Uni This link opens in a new windowContains company profiles.
Key Resources
Includes resources necessary to create value for the customer and to sustain and support the business. These could be human, financial, physical, intellectual, etc.
Thomas Register of Manufacturers This link opens in a new windowHas a supplier discovery tool which includes manufacturers, distributors, and more.
Mergent Online This link opens in a new window Nexis Uni This link opens in a new windowContains company profiles and news articles.
Capital IQ This link opens in a new windowAlso known as S&P Capital IQ or Standard and Poor’s Capital IQ.
Capital IQ contains detailed financial information about companies and industries. You can screen for companies and create lists.
NOTE:
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Value Propositions
This is what differentiates you from your competition, and how your product(s) and/or service(s) meet the needs of your customers.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowContains trade and news articles, along with some company profiles.
Nexis Uni This link opens in a new windowContains company profiles and news and trade articles.
Customer Relationships
This is the type of relationships you want with your customers (options might be personal assistance, self-service, automated, etc.)
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowIncludes scholarly, trade, and news articles that might talk about these different customer relationship models.
Channels
Here you will explain how you will deliver your product or service to the targeted customer in a way that provides value to them and that is efficient and cost effective. This could be via your own channels or partners, such as distributors.
Thomas Register of Manufacturers This link opens in a new windowIncludes a directory of US and Canadian manufacturers and distributors.
Gale Directory Library This link opens in a new windowProvides access to Ward's Business Directory, which is one way to look up companies.
Customer Segments
This addresses the customers who you have identified to target.
BCC Research This link opens in a new windowThis contains detailed market reports which can include discussions of the customer, which could be people or businesses, in the overview or market analysis sections.
RKMA Market Research Reports This link opens in a new windowThese reports, broken down by large industries or topics, often include information about the consumers.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowContains scholarly, trade, and news articles which can discuss consumers.
Cost Structure
Here you will discuss your costs, which could include fixed costs, variable costs, economies of scale, economies of scope. It will detail the costs involved in operating your business.
Thomas Register of Manufacturers This link opens in a new windowThis directory of manufacturers and suppliers can help you determine some parts of your cost structures.
Revenue Streams
This is how you will make income. This could include direct sales, charging usage or subscription fees, income from lending/leasing/renting items or property, etc.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowContains academic, trade, and news articles, which can include information on revenue streams. Try searching for "revenue stream" AND [insert your industry].
Nexis Uni This link opens in a new windowContains news and trade articles. Try the same search for "revenue stream" AND [insert your industry].