Business model: meaning, types and more

The world of business is a complex structure that requires constant innovation and manoeuvring to achieve the needed success for a business. In today’s world, over 70% of businesses fail after three years, this disturbing figure has created increased demands by investors and partners for a predictable business style that can assure an expected profit by the company in the long and short run. 

The above is where the business model comes in, the strategy employed by corporations to achieve profits and increased growth in trade in the highly competitive market is what is known today as the business model in the financial industry. This article offers all there is to know about the complex but highly encouraged business model. 

What is the business model?

A business model is an overall strategy undertaken by a corporation to make an eventual profit. The basic aim of entrepreneurship is profit making, businesses strive to come up with plans for increased profit making. The business model clarifies and recognises the company’s sale strategy, the products made by the business, the target market of the business, the various services to be rendered to users of the company’s product as well as the key performance indicators expected in each business year. 

The business model is vital for assisting the company’s cutting costs in business, they allow the management of the business to streamline the process of production leveraging on the expected outcomes from the business to improve their service delivery as well as their employment strength. In most cases the business model is made known to the staff of the company, this offers all employees in the business a glimpse into the overall nature of the direction the business seeks to achieve.

Existing businesses frequently update the business model to meet standard business best practices. The business model can for instance assist a company in knowing what interests the public in their activities and allows for greater understanding of the employees on the future of the business.

Understanding the business model

Business models are significant strategies adopted by a business for profitability in the long run. The marketplace offers varying consumer appreciation plans that must be followed strictly to have the public drawn to a business idea, this offers the value proposition, which acts as a basic step to business plan formation. The value proposition states the primary aim of the business and what it seeks to achieve, and why any customer would want to patronize the services. The value proposition is the major part of the business model that distinguishes the company’s business from other businesses. 

Competition differentiation is a pivotal part of the business model strategy, it provides companies with a platform to stand out from the crowd while showing their strengths to the public. The business plan can also establish a projected business partnership in the future as well as an expected advertisement strategy. For instance, startups can state that their business shall rely on social media advertising to leverage the market and spread the business popularity amongst several target markets. The best business models allow businesses to satisfy the needs of their clients in a suited manner.

Investors mostly rely on a company’s business model to indicate whether they would be interested in investing in it or otherwise. The business model offers projections that show how and where the business would make money in the next five years and what to expect after that period. Business models offer investors insight into the most vital information needed from the company and also place a clear picture of the direction the company intends to follow to make a profit. 

Types of business models

Not all businesses have the same business model the type of business involved depends on the kind of business model that would be adopted. Here are five of the most significant types of business models in the industry.

1. The Retailer business model

The Retailer business model is arguably the most popular type of business model known to finance. The supply chain of business is made of the producer, the whole seller and finally the retailer.

The retailer is the basic contact that interfaces with customers; the retailer business model sets targets on how to reach the final consumer by leveraging location efficiency and other factors that promote trade. An example is a shopping mall.

2. The manufacturer business model

The manufacturer’s business model is responsible for setting the pace of production. The manufacturer makes the products and offers the finished goods to the retailers.

Mostly, the manufacturer’s business model is to make sure the general public would patronize the product made, hence, the manufacturer deploys varying techniques including advertising and jingles to attract customers to it. An example is the Dangote manufacturing company.

3. Fee-for-service business model

The fee-for-service business model is concerned with leveraging the skills and expertise of an individual to provide satisfaction to varying clients.

Usually, the players in this industry charge at an hourly rate or a fixed cost. Businesses using the fee-for-service often range from accounting firms to law firms and a host of others.

4. Subscription business model

The subscription model works to have clients or customers for a long time. Customers enrol or register with businesses and have the business serve them for some time.

Business in this sector seeks to leverage service delivery when making their business model. Examples of businesses in this sector include banks and entertainment platforms

5. Pay-as-you-go business model

This kind of business model rests on the trust of the customers in the business. The pay-as-you-go model lets customers choose how they seek to manoeuver the services being offered by the company.

Customers are free to pay as they go for the services without having to stress over the possibility of being locked in with the company.

Conclusion

The world of business has witnessed varying techniques deployed by most businesses to grow their customer base as well as increase productivity in their businesses. This article offers all there is to know on business models and how it help to support businesses. 

Are all business models the same? No, business models come in varying forms and styles depending on the nature of the business.

Do I need a business model for my startup? Yes, all startups require business models to leverage their positions in the market.