In my search for good codifications of the "next gen" business models and customer-driven processes, I came across Warren Jones' blog. The Science of Profitability - Profit Forms. In which he provides 33 different business models -- he calls them Profit Forms. Examples include: Customer Solutions Profit; Flawless Transactions Profit, Time Profit, Switchboard Profit, etc.
For each one, he cites companies that provide good examples of each, as well as CEOs that have mastered one or more of them.
Actually a "profit form" isn't a business model, according to Jones. It's more of a best practice. Here's how he defines his use of the term Form:
1 the state of a person, team or business with regard to
their current standard of performance : i.e. they've been
in good form this
quarter.
2 the customary or best
practice or procedure; what should be done : i.e. legal form
and precedent.
• a set order of words; a
formula.
• a formality or item of
ceremony : i.e. the outward forms of success.
3 BRITISH. a
class year or level in a school, usually given a specifying number
: i.e. the fifth form.
He then goes onto explain that a "Profit Form" is:
Profit Forms is a language of proven Business
techniques. It is an attempt to provide a comprehensive guide to
the actions CEO's have successfully led to make their companies
more profitable."
I was also interested to note that this blog is promoting a kind of B-School alternative curriculum for CEOs and would-be CEOs. He calls it "B-School in a Box." Check it out.
These Profit Forms reminded me of another set of favorite books--Adrian J. Slywotzky's Profit Patterns, The Profit Zone, and How Digital is Your Business.
By the way, Warren Jones is the CIO of a large Pittsburgh-based lawfirm, and very knowledgeable about technology trends and their impact on business as well...
Keep up the interesting work, Warren!
Patty
I clicked through to Jones' blog expecting great things. I was very disappointed to find that the dozens of Profit Forms he quotes on the blog are almost entirely devoid of content - the forms themself aren't described, the basis of their profitability isn't described, the basis of their competitiveness isn't described, even how the quoted examples fit with the forms is not described! The Business School in a Box part of the blog is equally devoid of content!
I am not sure that the approach Jones has taken is actually a step forward. It is one thing to come up with a list of 'profit forms', but it is another entirely to understand in detail how successful businesses compete to deliver superior outcomes for customers, with the resources available to them and their partners, in a way that generates acceptable value for all parties.
Rather than Jones' blog, I would direct readers to Guy Kawasaki's excellent 'How to Change the World' blog (http://blog.guykawasaki.com/) in particular, his now famous '10/20/30 Rule of Powerpoint' post (http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2005/12/the_102030_rule.html)that shows how to structure an outline business plan.
As in many worthwhile things in life, the devil is in the detail.
Graham Hill
Independent CRM Consultant
Interim CRM Manager
Posted by: Graham Hill | February 27, 2007 at 03:52 AM