Creating a business model for your company is one of the first tasks you would need to complete before establishing your company. Your business model communicates how your business will work and make profit. The success of a business rides on it. Innovative business models are one way to differentiate yourself from the competition. Therefore the process of formulating such a model is vital.
A lot of companies have used innovative business models to ensure success. Here are a few companies that can be learnt from:
1. Paytm
Paytm’s success can only be attributed to their unique business model. They started out with a stage by stage model paired with a powerful discounting model. They started with online payments attracting customers through the massive discounts they were offering. They emerged into a mobile wallet and then an e-commerce website. Even though Paytm is known mainly as a mobile wallet, their e-commerce business has also performed well in the market.
Paytm has now acquired a variety of markets through this approach. Their discounts have given consumers a chance to shop freely on the Paytm e-commerce website. Rather than spending on marketing activities, Paytm focussed on providing various discounts to its consumers. These discounts cut down rates by more than 50% on the original price. This ensured consumer retention. Their stage by stage model made sure that they were positioned as a market leader before moving on to the next market or stage.
Learning: Adopt a step by step procedure to capture a number of markets.
2. Paperboat
Paper boat plays with the nostalgia aspect not only with its product, but also with its advertising and communication. Their business model mostly focuses on intelligent marketing strategies in order to be recognized amongst their competitors in the beverage industry. Their product is unique and highly relatable with an affordable price. It is also the main focus rather than promotion. Their main competitors are non-branded alternatives. Paper boat is also very cleverly placed. By partnering with Indigo airlines, they have catered to the airlines industry as well as retailers.
Learning: Pay most attention to your product and where it is sold.
3. Ola
Ola has become one of India’s leading cab service. It aims to connect consumers with chauffeur driven cabs. These cabs are owned by third parties, most of the times by the drivers themselves. Their revenue model focuses on a variety of sources. Ola charges commission to all those riding with their cabs. Additionally, they have in-vehicle advertisements and various event and corporate tie ups. They are also constantly evolving. They released Ola Money, a mobile wallet specifically for Ola rides, to avail cashless transactions. They have recently decided to buy a number of cabs themselves and rent it out to drivers in order to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
Learning: Have a number of revenue streams.
4. OYO Rooms
OYO Rooms is a mobile app and website which allows booking of budget rooms in hotels. It follows a marketplace model. Hotels can contact OYO if they want to be registered with the brand. The hotels that tie up with OYO are marketed by OYO itself. OYO then conducts a standardized test to determine if the hotel abides by its quality requirements. The focus of the business model is the product. OYO aims to provide consumers with luxury in a budget. You can even order room service through the OYO rooms app while staying at one of their hotels. Still at the building stage, it is still looking at improving its marketing and technology aspects.
Learning: Make sure to deliver what you promise through quality testing and setting standards.
A number of factors need to be taken into consideration while designing a business model. Learning from successful businesses, having conversations with other entrepreneurs and constantly working towards your goal goes a long way in ensuring the formulation of a good business model.
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