Business Model Canvas: Key Activities In-Depth

When carving out a path to business success, one must not overlook the pivotal role that strategic operations play in this journey. In the BMC, this is illustrated through the Key Activities block. This segment of the canvas, though sometimes underestimated, is the heartbeat of any successful enterprise. It encapsulates the critical actions a company must perform to deliver its unique value proposition effectively. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the importance of the Key Activities block, exploring how it interconnects with other BMC elements and why understanding it is a linchpin in crafting a dynamic and sustainable business model.

What Are Key Activities and Why Do They Matter?

Key activities play a fundamental role in the Business Model Canvas as they encompass the tasks necessary for a company to create and deliver its products or services. These activities form the backbone of a business and are vital for its overall success. Identifying key activities within the canvas is crucial as it enables businesses to focus on the most important tasks and streamline their processes, leading to improved efficiency, productivity, and ultimately, increased profitability.

The importance of key activities extends further as they directly contribute to defining a company’s value proposition. A value proposition sets a business apart from its competitors by offering superior value to customers. The delivery of this value proposition relies on a set of key activities. Therefore, it is essential for business owners to identify these critical tasks and prioritize them to ensure effective delivery of their value proposition within the context of the Business Model Canvas.

For instance, if a company’s value proposition revolves around providing high-quality products at a low cost, its key activities may involve sourcing raw materials at a low cost, optimizing production processes, and minimizing waste. By focusing on these specific key activities, the company can effectively deliver its value proposition, differentiate itself from competitors, and drive customer satisfaction.

In conclusion, key activities are integral to the success of any business. They establish the foundation of operations, contribute to profitability, and shape competitiveness. Identifying and prioritizing key activities within the Business Model Canvas allows businesses to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and effectively deliver their value proposition, leading to sustained success in the market.

Types of Key Activities

Key activities are the backbone of any business. They are the tasks and processes that must be performed in order to deliver the value proposition to customers. Key activities can be broadly classified into two categories: Primary Activities and Support Activities. Primary activities are those that are critical to achieving your value proposition. Support activities are those that are necessary for the smooth functioning of the primary activities.

Primary Activities

Primary activities are the main activities that a business must undertake to deliver its value proposition. These activities are directly related to the creation, production, and delivery of the product or service. The four primary activities are:

1. Research and Development: This includes activities related to creating new products, improving existing products, or developing new technologies essential to delivering the value proposition. Research and development is essential for businesses that want to stay ahead of the competition and innovate.
2. Production: This includes all activities that are essential for manufacturing, assembling, or providing services. Production is the core activity for businesses that create physical products. It involves sourcing raw materials, managing inventory, and ensuring that the product is manufactured to meet customer specifications.
3. Marketing and Sales: This includes activities needed to promote the product, attract customers, and close sales. Marketing and sales are critical for businesses that want to reach a wider audience and increase revenue. These activities include advertising, public relations, and sales promotions.
4. Customer Service: This includes activities associated with after-sale support, warranty claims, and customer complaints. Customer service is essential for businesses that want to retain customers and build a loyal customer base. It involves responding to customer inquiries, resolving issues, and providing ongoing support.

Support Activities

Support activities are the activities that support the primary activities. These activities are essential for the smooth functioning of the business and include:

• Infrastructure: This includes activities that support the entire organization, including finance, planning, legal, and human resources. Infrastructure is essential for businesses that want to operate efficiently and effectively.
• Procurement: This includes activities related to purchasing goods and services essential for the company’s operations. Procurement is essential for businesses that want to ensure that they have the resources they need to operate.

Overall, key activities are essential for businesses that want to deliver value to customers and operate efficiently. By understanding the different types of key activities, businesses can identify areas for improvement and optimize their operations.

How to Find Key Activities

The first step in identifying key activities is to define your value proposition. Start by defining your customer segments, which will help you understand your customers’ needs and expectations. Then, outline the products or services you offer and how you plan to deliver them. Once you have a clear picture of your value proposition, you can start identifying the key activities that are critical to its success.

To identify key activities, start by brainstorming all the tasks and processes necessary to deliver your value proposition. Narrow down your list to the essential activities that create the most value for your customer. Consider the dependencies and relationships between different activities, and be sure to identify any potential risks associated with each task.

Examples of Key Activities

Let’s take a look at some examples of key activities for different types of businesses:

A Software Development Company:

• Research and Development to create new software products or features to meet customer needs.
• Software Design and Development to implement software programs.
• Quality Assurance to ensure software quality before launch.
• Customer Support to provide help desk support and troubleshoot issues after launch.
• Sales and Marketing to attract new customers and retain existing ones.

A Restaurant:

• Food Preparation and Cooking to create high-quality dishes.
• Inventory Management to ensure supply levels of food, beverages and other ingredients.
• Serving to ensure customers receive their order correctly and timely.
• Marketing and Promotion to attract potential customers via traditional media or social media.

Conclusion

Identifying key activities within the Business Model Canvas is crucial for crafting a successful business model. Once you have identified your key activities, you can prioritize them and allocate resources to ensure their effectiveness. Ultimately, understanding your key activities is vital to delivering your value proposition, and ultimately achieving business success.