CIIC Business Model Workshop series

15th October, 2011

Understanding creative industries business models

In 2011, the Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC) worked with its industry partners to select 50 high potential creative enterprises from around the nation to participate in a series of business model workshops.

Through the provision of its business advisory services to 435 creative enterprises in 13 sectors, the CIIC understood the common business challenges facing small to medium creative enterprises - namely, strategic planning and business development.

In order to assist these companies with developing a business strategy, the CIIC developed a national series of workshops with creative businesses from marketing, advertising, communications, design and public relations.

The aim of the workshop was to train creative business owners in the use of the Business Model Canvas and methodology, as developed by Alexander Osterwalder and Professor Yves Pigneur, in their book, Business Model Generation.

About the Business Model Canvas

The Canvas is a one-page tool that will help a business owner to map and understand their business visually. Innovation, creativity and design thinking underpin its use. It is divided into the following key areas: Key Partners, Key Activities, Key Resources, Value Proposition, Customer Relationships, Customer Segments, Channels, Cost Structure and Revenue Streams.

Workshop participants were coached and supported as they worked through the Canvas, by CIIC Business Advisers and industry partner representatives, and were introduced to topics such as: understanding your customer; defining your value proposition; considering the lifecycle of your channels to market, and securing the right partnerships and alliances.

The workshop was creative, interactive and enabled participants to view their business model from a new perspective. It allowed them to better understand the building blocks required for business transformation.


About the Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC)

The CIIC is a national initiative supporting the business of creative enterprise, which is part of the Australian Government's Enterprise Connect program, also supported by the University of Technology, Sydney.

The CIIC provides hands on business advisory and development services for creative enterprises around Australia. In addition CIIC delivers creative industries intelligence, workshops and major projects focused on areas such as; business model development, business strategy in an NBN-enabled Australia, connecting creative businesses and investment and cross industry integration programs for design and interactive media.

Why were the workshops valuable to creative enterprises?

Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC) Programs and Partnerships Director, Adam Blake, said the workshops proved what the CIIC already knew, that the majority of creative enterprises in commercially focused sectors are successful at generating ideas, but they struggle with strategy and execution.

"The CIIC has provided business advisory services to over 400 creative businesses nationally over the past two years. We know that capability in developing effective business models and business strategies is key to improving the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of creative enterprises.

"Our CIIC Business Model workshops were very successful because creative business owners were hungry for hands on support in this area. Workshop participants responded very well to the Business Model Canvas methodology due to its visual, values based format.

"Another key to the success of the series was the partnership between the Creative Industries Innovation Centre and its industry partners. This collaborative approach enables us to work together, aligning missions to deliver the right advice and support to the right businesses at the right time. Our partners ensure we are working with a pool of highly talented, highly innovative and highly professional creative enterprises," said Adam.

Do you want to access the Canvas?

The CIIC recommends creative enterprises of any size use the Business Model Canvas to understand and develop transformational business strategies. (These tools are free and covered by Creative Commons.)

• Access the Canvas tool and associated materials: Businessmodelgeneration.com
• Read the author's blog: Businessmodelalchemist.com
• Purchase the Business Model Toolbox iPad App on iTunes

Discuss your own business model with an expert CIIC Business Adviser

Book a 1hour free business consultation, the CIIC Biztro, with one of the CIIC's Business Advisers, who have been trained in the Business Model Canvas methodology. These are held on the last Friday of every month in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Visit www.creativeinnovation.net.au/business/ciic-biztro to register and find out more.

On this website, you can also read inspiring stories about Australia's creative enterprises which have developed a unique value propositions and differentiated business models.

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AGDA is an association partner of CIIC