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Test Your Business Model Against These 10 Elements

Gust

I expect that should seem intuitive to all entrepreneurs, but every investor I know has many stories about startup funding requests with major business model elements missing. The most common failures are solutions looking for a problem, lack of a defined market, or an inadequate revenue model.

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A Valid Business Model Requires Real Customer Sales

Gust

The real milestone, proving the business model, is that first product sold for full price to a total stranger, leaving him happy. Your revenue model has to make sense. Many of the Internet business plans I see these days say the service is free, and revenue will come later from a huge user base.

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How Do You Select A Revenue Model For Your Startup?

Gust

The implications of the decision you make are huge, defining your brand image, your funding requirements, and your long-term business viability. The revenue model you select is basically the implementation of your business strategy, and the key to attaining your financial objectives.

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Don’t Let Investors Conclude Your Startup Is A Hobby

Gust

Write down the key elements of your business plan very early, and keep it current as things evolve. This will include the first version of many critical processes that can be split out later, including market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, and organization.

Startup 187
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Entrepreneurs Need To Keep Their Business Focused

Gust

Other elements of startup focus are a bit fuzzier, so let me zoom-in on some key ones here: Type of business model. Providing shoes for the poor is a laudable goal, but quite a different business than Zappos , which sells clothes profitably, and provides free shoes for the needy due to social consciousness.

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Pick The Entrepreneur Lifestyle Alternative For You

Gust

Of course, you get the challenge of filing patents, developing a product, and defining the revenue model. With an existing business, MLM, or franchise, the technology and process are already set. Whichever business model you pick, you need to make a serious commitment to the effort, or you will likely fail.

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These 10 Key Elements Make a Business Plan Fundable

Gust

Clearly define the customer, channel, and revenue model associated with this solution. Explain the business model. In this section, you need to be passionate about revenue, profit, and volume growth. Project both revenues and expense totals for next five years, and past three years, if relevant.