The word "business model" refers to a company's profit strategy. It specifies the items or services that the company intends to sell and its target market, and any estimated costs. For both new and existing businesses, business models are critical.
They assist new and growing businesses in attracting capital, recruiting talent and motivating management and employees. Established businesses should revise their business strategies regularly, or they will miss out on future trends and issues.
Investors use business plans to analyse companies that they are interested in.
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A new business's business model should also include expected beginning costs and finance sources, the company's target client base, marketing strategy, competitive analysis and revenue and expense predictions.
Importance of a Business Model
The business model aids in the company's consumer base targeting. It aids in the development of marketing plans and income and expense projections, taking into account the various business models and clientele. Every investor should look at the business model to learn more about the company's competitive advantage. Investors can better understand financial data if they understand the business strategy. Investors can better understand the company's goods, business model strategies, and prospects by evaluating the business model.
Also Read: What Is a Business? - Definition & Characteristics
Types of Business Models
There are various types of business models which are as follows:-
1. B2C (Business to Consumer)
The Business-2-Consumer business model refers to companies that offer their services or products directly to the end-users of the goods or services. The products are in high demand since they provide needed items. As a result, there is no risk of demand volatility, and the business may remain consistent. Because there is direct interaction with customers, information is shared with them quickly and readily. For the firm to run successfully, customers are supplied products at a reduced price compared to its competitors. Avenue Supermart, which distributes goods directly to its clients, is an example of a Business-to-Consumer model.
2. B2B (Business to Business)
When dealings or transactions occur between two corporations or businesses, this business model is referred to as a Business-to-Business model. It has a higher level of market predictability and stability. Because B2B sales are made in bulk, this strategy lowers businesses' costs. IndiaMart, a wholesale B2B marketplace, is the best example of this type of business strategy in India. It provides its customers with millions of products, including consumer electronics, machinery, apparel, etc.
3. Subscription-Based Models
Subscription-based business models can be found in any application or software company. They make their goods available as a one-time purchase for monthly or annual revenue. This business strategy allows the company to generate consistent revenue by allowing customers to pay for their purchases in 12 equal instalments rather than everything at once. For this type of business model, Infoedge is a leading example.
4. On-demand Business Model
It is the most modern type of business model that is based on demand and responds quickly. This type of company strategy is set up to address your inquiries with just a button click. It is incredibly simple and straightforward for consumers because they may reserve their hotels or venues even before arriving in the city. Make My Trip, for example, allows clients to plan their vacations and make reservations in advance.
The Advantages of a Business Model
- A strong business model strategy gives a corporation a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- A great business strategy gives the company a positive market reputation, encouraging investors to keep their money in the company.
- Making the company model solid leads to increased cash reserves, new investments and a steady stream of profits.
- A proven business plan enhances the organisation's financial stability.
Example of a Business Model
Example 1 - Take, for instance, company A which rents and sells video games. As a result, the corporation is in the video game business. After investing ₹2220 lakhs in video game inventories, the company used to profit of ₹3700 lakhs. As a result, the overall gross profit margin is ₹15,13,72 thousand. The internet has entered the market, and the corporation must now adapt its business strategy to account for the internet to remain competitive. As a result, the cost of storing inventory and the cost of delivery is decreased. Profit increases as expenses decrease. Even though revenues have decreased since the introduction of the internet, the company has grown its operations.
Example 2 - The subscription model, in which firms charge clients a monthly, annual or another price to access a service, is a popular example of a business model. Of course, each organisation's business model can be altered and adapted, but let's use Netflix as an example and split it down based on the four factors we discussed earlier:
- What type of product or service a business will offer: Netflix offers an internet streaming service.
- Netflix employs a multichannel marketing approach, promoting its service through social media, email marketing, advertising and even ordinary word-of-mouth marketing.
- What type of expenses will it face? As a Fortune 500 company, Netflix's expenses are numerous. Still, perhaps most notably, the price of producing or acquiring content for its platform and the technology and personnel required to run the service.
- When it comes down to it, Netflix intends to profit from its membership sales, even though it is such a massive company (and has a few other means of producing money).
This example shows how the first three points contribute to Netflix's business model strategy as a subscription service.
Finally, it's critical to understand how your firm will make enough money to stay profitable when startup and other expenses are considered.
Essential Components of a Business Model
When it comes down to it, business models exist in various shapes and sizes, but they all have the same basic components.
A unique value proposition, a viable target market and a competitive edge are important components of a business model. You won't be able to make money until you have those elements. To have a complete view of a business model, you must consider manufacturing costs and other elements. What goes into the development of a company model?
The following are the ten elements to keep in mind:
- A characteristic that makes your product appealing to customers is a value proposition.
- A specific group of consumers interested in the product is referred to as the target market.
- A competitive advantage is a feature of your product or service that is difficult for competitors to duplicate.
- Cost Structure: A list of your company's fixed and variable expenses and how they affect pricing.
- Your firm monitor's success is known as key metrics.
- Your company's physical, financial and intellectual resources are called resources.
- Problem and solution: The pain areas of your target customers and how your organisation plans to address them
- A revenue model is a framework for identifying and pursuing prospective income streams.
- Revenue streams are the various methods by which your firm might earn money.
- The amount by which your income exceeds your business costs is known as your profit margin.
Also Read: What is Entrepreneurship? Meaning, Definition and Importance
These are the fundamental components of a business model, and they are likely to alter as your company grows. You might not have a clear notion of what each of these components will look like for your company right away. They will become increasingly apparent as you construct your business plan, and your model will provide a vision and direction for your business idea.
Although your business model will inform your operations at this stage, it will not set your company plan in stone; as time goes on, you'll be able to adjust and adapt your approach depending on your findings.
Conclusion
A business model is a company's plan for conducting a profitable operation. It contains information about the company's goods, target markets and prospects. Reviewing the business models before investing in any company allows investors to gain a real and fair understanding of the firm's past and prospects. Investors can gain a better understanding of financial data by understanding company models.
We hope that this article has explained to you in detail about the business model, its advantages, types and examples.
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