Rethinking business models for companies in the geothermal industry
Business Model Canvas (source BusinessModelGeneration.com)
Alexander Richter
25 Apr 2012
Rethinking business models for companies in the geothermal energy industry might be a controversial topic and the Business Model Canvas of the Business Model Generation bestselling book is a useful tool to re-evaluate your business model.
For the last two years, I have been discussing with many people my thoughts about the geothermal energy industry maybe having to rethink its business model. While this probably cannot be generalized for all segments of the industry, I still think we need to re-evaluate our business model, be it for the non-profit industry associations, developers, suppliers, operators and service providers.
Out industry is struggling with a lack of financing, which has to do in parts with a lack of government support, but also in our difficulties of portraying a value proposition or at least in people simply not buying into it. I know that this can be controversial, but I think we can all agree that things are not what they could be.
In parts I believe we can approach the issue by looking at how we do business and how we model it.
Companies in other industries constantly re-evaluate their business model and they actually need to do so, I guess a good example is the mobile phone sector. Being once the market and innovation leader in mobile phone technology, Nokia and RIM (Blackberry) is now trailing Apple that has focused its business of combining content with technology binding customers to its offerings. So clearly Apple has re-invented the phone technology business and turned from a computer manufacturer to a media player and then to a phone producer, with now most of its income coming from a product that wasn´t even seen as a product possibility for a computer manufacturer years back.
There are various other examples, but here might not be the space to talk about it.
In recent weeks I have been talking with various firms about the Business Model Canvas created and promoted by the bestselling business book, Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder, as a tool for companies to evaluate and rethink their business model. Looking at the actual value proposition and the elements of a business model in this structured approach helps companies to rethink they way they position themselves and do business.
As part of my activities in Iceland, I have been trying to get Alexander to come to Iceland to give one of his Designing Business Model workshops and we were finally able to arrange for a workshop with him on May 31, 2012 in Iceland.
Who should attend: Anyone looking for hands on tools to apply to their business model. You could be a Senior Executive, Strategist, Innovation Manager, Entrepreneur, Consultant, or Business Coach.
Date & Time: Thursday, May 31, 2012, 9:00-17:00
Location: Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
Pricing: ISK 136,795 (ISK 109,000 + vsk)
There are limited spaces available, so secure your place now and register today!
If you are not able to attend this or the other workshops, check out the books preview on www.businessmodelgeneration.com/book. You can also download a copy of the Business Model Canvas .
