Role of Business models in Marketing Management

A business model is a framework for how a company will create value. Ultimately, it distills the potential of a business down to its essence. It answers fundamental questions about the problem you are going to solve, how you will solve it, and the growth opportunity within a given market.

Creating a business model is essential, whether you are starting a new venture, expanding into a new market, or changing your go-to-market strategy. You can use a business model to capture fundamental assumptions and decisions about the opportunity in one place, setting the direction for success.

There are many types of business models. Each one varies considerably based on the type of organization and offering. For example, a manufacturing company will have a very different model than an advertising agency. Even within a specific industry, business models vary. Here are a few common business models used by technology companies:

• Subscription
• Transactional
• Freemium
• Affiliate
• Retail sales

Most businesses end up using a combination of business models to reach their customers and grow over time.

Business model Importance

You need a clear path to build something meaningful. The process of building a business model establishes a plan for how you will realize your vision. It lays out the strategy behind a new undertaking or investment and provides a framework for tracking progress.

Creating a business model requires deep thought and analysis. Company and product builders must think from the outside in, focusing on market needs and what matters most to customers. Once built, sharing your business model across the organization encourages alignment. This keeps everyone accountable for what they are working on and why, as well as guiding investments of time and resources.

Uses of business models

Companies across every industry and at all stages of maturity use business models. Some rely on lengthy processes and build complicated models, while others move quickly to articulate the basics. Having the discipline to work through this planning tool forces internal alignment.

For established enterprises, a business model is often a living framework that is reviewed and adapted every year based on changes with customers, employees, and the market. For companies launching new products or entering new markets, a business model can help get them off to the right start and ensure that early product and marketing decisions are tied back to the strategy.

Role of Business models in Marketing Management

A business model plays a vital role in the success of any company, as it explains how that business will earn revenue. For entrepreneurs, a business model aids in acquiring investors and establishing partnerships.

Significance

For aspiring entrepreneurs, developing a business model forces you to thoroughly think about the overall business plan. According to an article written for Bloomberg Business Weekly by business professional Gwen C. Edwards, topics an effective business model should address include the type of product or service being offered, how to draw revenue from the product or service, and what advantages and disadvantages the company has compared to others in the same industry.

Types

Many types of business models exist, from the basic pay-for-product model to advertising and e-business methods. Various business models can be blended together in a business plan. For instance, in addition to traditional practices, a retail store might sell advertising on the store website in order to accumulate extra revenue.

Considerations

Chris Brogan, the president of the media marketing agency New Marketing Labs, advises on his website to be on the lookout for new elements that you can implement into your business model. Methods Brogan recommends for doing this include reading business books and discussing industry-related ideas with other professionals.

Most businesses prepare a blueprint for how the company will conduct its operations. Such blueprints are typically referred to as a model. These templates serve many purposes and come in a variety of forms, including business and a revenue models. Despite the similarities between a business and revenue model, the two outlines serve different functions and outline distinct aspects of the business.

Business Model Identification

The “Harvard Business Review on Business Model Innovation” charts four basic tenets of a business model: how the company creates and delivers value to its customers, the ways in which the company will earn a profit, which key components will be utilized and which key processes the company will incorporate. Key components include staff and human resources, machinery and technology as well as branding efforts. Business operations such as manufacturing and training make up the business’s key processes. Each business model differs depending on the organization’s size, industry and expectations.

Revenue Model Identification

A revenue model is a subset component of a business model. The revenue model focuses on answering the question of how the business will generate revenue and, ultimately, how the company will be profitable. The revenue model depends on the industry. For example, a website might employ a contextual advertising model, which means the business generates money by users clicking on third-party ads within the page content. A baseball stadium, on the other hand, may have a revenue model that includes raising money from ancillary goods such as team apparel and dining outlets.

Differences

Michael Hitt, author of “Creating Value” states that a revenue model and business model are similar but separate outlines. Hitt explains that a business model’s goal is to outline how the business generates value, whereas a revenue model specifies how the business allocates the created value. Thus, a business model explains the company’s strategy, operations and management tactics. The revenue model draws from these explanations to outline how the company will earn money.

The choice of model depends on circumstance. Companies draft a business model and present it to financial institutions in order to get a loan. Venture capitalists typically view a business model in order to make decisions to invest in the company. On the other hand, corporations review their revenue model to make financial forecasts. Companies also inspect their revenue model to see if it’s relevant in lieu of any changes in operations. For instance, the revenue model could need modification if the cost of production rises or wages change.