Business Model Canvas | FOB: Business Command

Your Business Blueprint

6:00

Every successful military operation has a clear plan. Your business needs one too. The Business Model Canvas is a strategic tool that captures your entire business model on a single page—from who you serve to how you make money. It's your business blueprint.

In this briefing, you'll learn to complete a Business Model Canvas for your business idea, creating a clear picture of how all the pieces fit together.

The 9 Building Blocks

Business Model Canvas overview showing 9 interconnected building blocks

The Business Model Canvas consists of nine interconnected building blocks that together describe how your business creates, delivers, and captures value.

1. Customer Segments

Who are you creating value for? Be specific. 'Everyone' is not a customer segment. Define distinct groups of people or organizations you aim to serve.

2. Value Propositions

What value do you deliver to customers? What problem do you solve? What need do you satisfy? This is the reason customers choose you over competitors.

3. Channels

How do you reach your customers? How do you communicate your value proposition? How do you deliver your product or service?

4. Customer Relationships

What type of relationship does each customer segment expect? Personal? Automated? Community-based? How do you acquire, retain, and grow customers?

5. Revenue Streams

How do you make money? What are customers willing to pay for? Are there different pricing mechanisms (subscription, one-time, usage-based)?

Tactical Tip

Start with Customer Segments and Value Propositions. If you can't clearly articulate who you serve and why they care, the rest of the canvas won't matter.

6. Key Resources

What assets are required to deliver your value proposition? This includes physical, intellectual, human, and financial resources.

7. Key Activities

What must you do to make your business model work? Production? Problem-solving? Platform management?

8. Key Partnerships

Who are your key suppliers and partners? What resources do you acquire from partners? What activities do partners perform?

9. Cost Structure

What are the most significant costs in your business model? Which key resources and activities are most expensive?

Mission Critical

Your Business Model Canvas is a living document. As you learn from customers and the market, update it. The first version is always wrong—what matters is that you iterate based on real-world feedback.

Veteran Voice

The Business Model Canvas forced me to think through every aspect of my business before I launched. I revised it six times in the first three months based on customer feedback. That discipline saved me from three major mistakes.

— Chris W., Air Force Veteran, Founder, SkyHigh Consulting

Summary

The Business Model Canvas is your strategic blueprint, capturing your entire business model on one page. The nine building blocks work together: Customer Segments and Value Propositions define who you serve and why; Channels and Relationships describe how you reach and interact with them; Revenue Streams and Cost Structure show the financials; and Resources, Activities, and Partnerships explain how you deliver value.

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Interactive Business Model Canvas

Complete your own Business Model Canvas using this interactive tool

🎯 Key Takeaways

The BMC captures your entire business model on a single page
Start with Customer Segments and Value Propositions
All nine blocks must work together coherently
Treat your canvas as a living document—iterate based on learning