February 2022
In February, we will discuss The Business Model Navigator by Oliver Gassmann, Karolin Frankenberger and Michaela Choudry (2020, 424 pages).
From the bookâs blurb:
A strong business model is the bedrock to business success. But all too often we fail to adapt, clinging to outdated business models that are no longer promising the results we need.
This new edition builds on the well-known methodology of the first edition to allow you to innovate, test, and implement new business models within your industry.
Discover the idea of business model innovation, from structuring the process of innovation of a companyâs business model to encouraging outside-the-box thinking. With expert authors, The Business Model Navigator combines learning research with evidence of high practical impact, allowing you to master the transformation journey and lead your business to success.
Why this book matters:
This book represents a herculean effort to condense the authorsâ vast knowledge of the subject into 424 pages. The book is broken down into three distinct parts: the first constitutes the intellectual meat of the book, dealing with the challenges of business model innovation. I flew through this part in one go!
The second section offers a helicopter view of some 55+ different business models, including some you might be aware of (freemium), but also a lot of âpearlsâ you have probably never heard of. Did you know there is an aikido business model? For each different business model typology, the authors offer a brief description, some examples, and some insights on how it could be applied. It is my guess that this part was not written to be read in one go, page after page. Instead, be selective: read what you are interested in and shamelessly skip the rest (books, after all, are always there for you to return to when needed).
The final section of the book is all about implementation. This part is less developed, but I still believe the two and a half pages in the â10 recommendations to innovate your business modelâ section are worth reading â they represent a good framework to keep in mind when your organization is going through a business model transformation. All in all, a book that you should own, as it is one you will read, underline, set aside, and come back to again and again. Enjoy the reading!
Salvatore Cantale, Professor of Finance at IMD