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How to Create a Powerful Business Model with SOIL’s Vision

15 Jul 2025
- admin
Turning a great idea into a thriving business starts with a solid business model. At SOIL Institute of Management, we empower aspiring leaders to create ventures that balance profit with purpose. In a recent masterclass, Dr. Pavan Soni, Innovation Evangelist and Founder of Inflexion Point Consulting, shared a practical guide to building a business model plan using the 9-block Business Model Canvas. This blog dives into his insights, showing how SOIL’s hands-on training helps students master business model innovation to drive social and ecological impact.

Why a Business Model Matters

A business model is your game plan for turning ideas into thriving ventures. It tackles three big questions: How do you create value for customers? How do you get it to them? And how do you make money? Dr. Pavan Soni points to the Business Model Canvas, created by Alexander Osterwalder, as a straightforward yet powerful tool for business model innovation. At SOIL, we don’t just teach this framework—we make it real. Through hands-on projects like partnering with NCR-based NGOs or pitching to top companies, our PGPM and PGDM students craft business model strategies that drive real-world impact, blending profit with social and ecological purpose.

The 9 Blocks of the Business Model Canvas

Customer Segments: Know Your Audience

Every successful venture starts with a clear picture of who you’re serving—and who you’re not. Dr. Pavan Soni emphasizes nailing down your customer segments to shape a sharp business model strategy. Think about:
- Demographics: Who are they by age, income, or education level?
- Geographics: Are they in bustling cities, rural areas, or global markets?
- Psychographics: What drives them—bold risk-taking or cautious decision-making?
- Usage Frequency: Do they use your product daily, weekly, or occasionally?
At SOIL, we bring this to life through real-world projects. For instance, our students work with rural communities in Sidhbari, crafting solutions tailored to their unique needs. This hands-on experience sharpens your ability to define a business model plan that hits the mark every time.

Customer Relationships: Build Lasting Bonds

How do you reach and retain customers? Dr. Soni suggests strategies like:
- Above-the-Line (ATL): Newspaper ads, billboards.
- Below-the-Line (BTL): Social media campaigns, like Amul’s creative ads.
- Other Tactics: Email marketing, loyalty programs, or conferences.
SOIL’s mentorship from industry leaders helps students craft engagement plans that build trust, aligning with our vision of ethical leadership.

Channels: Deliver Value Effectively

Channels are how you get your product to customers, whether through:
- Direct Sales: Like Eureka Forbes’ door-to-door model.
- Online Platforms: Amazon or aggregators.
- Retail/Distributors: Traditional wholesaler models.
SOIL’s global study tours and startup internships teach students to choose and optimize channels, preparing them for diverse markets.

Value Proposition: Stand Out with Purpose

Why should customers pick you? Dr. Soni lists compelling value propositions:
- Value for Money: Maruti Suzuki’s affordable cars.
- Reliability: Apple or Woodland products.
- Quality: Toyota’s reputation.
- Availability: Bisleri’s widespread presence.
- Convenience: Honda Activa’s ease of use.
At SOIL, we challenge students to create value propositions that blend profitability with social and ecological impact, like designing sustainable startups in our PGDM program.

Key Activities: Focus on What Drives Value

What must your business do well? Dr. Soni points to non-outsourcable tasks like:
- Branding
- Product design
- Research and development (R&D)
SOIL’s hands-on curriculum, including prototyping for corporate partners, ensures students master these core activities.

Key Resources: Leverage Your Strengths

Identify essential assets, such as:
- Money
- Talent
- Intellectual property or brand
SOIL’s faculty, with deep industry experience, guide students to secure and utilize these resources effectively.

Key Partners: Collaborate for Success

Partners handle tasks you can outsource, like IT, logistics, or financing. SOIL’s network of 32 corporate and 25 NGO partners gives students real-world experience in building synergies, a cornerstone of our business model innovation training.

Cost Structure: Plan for Profitability

Know your costs to stay viable:
- Fixed Costs: Rent, machinery, salaries.
- Variable Costs: Marketing, commissions, electricity.
SOIL’s analytics-driven courses teach students to analyze costs and optimize burn rates, ensuring financial sustainability.

Revenue Streams: Monetize Smartly

Dr. Soni outlines revenue models like:
- Asset Sales: Selling products like mobile phones.
- Subscriptions: Netflix’s monthly fees.
- Freemium: LinkedIn’s free basic service with paid upgrades.
Through simulations and startup projects, SOIL students explore revenue streams that align with ethical and sustainable goals.

SOIL’s Vision: Leadership with Impact

At SOIL, we’re driven by a vision to create leaders who deliver social well-being, ecological sustainability, and economic value. Our PGPM and PGDM programs integrate the Business Model Canvas with experiential learning—think NGO collaborations, global study tours, and pitching to industry leaders. This approach ensures our graduates craft business model plans that are not just profitable but also transformative.

Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Targeting Everyone: Narrow your customer focus.
- Weak Value Proposition: Differentiate from competitors.
- Overcomplicating: Keep your model clear and actionable.
- Ignoring Costs: Monitor burn rates to stay sustainable.
Conclusion

A powerful business model is your launchpad to turning ideas into ventures that change lives. At SOIL Institute of Management, we don’t just teach the Business Model Canvas—we immerse you in real-world challenges, from working with NGOs to pitching to global corporations. Our PGPM and PGDM programs, backed by a faculty with deep industry expertise, equip you to craft business model strategies that blend profit with purpose. Don’t just dream of success—build it with SOIL.
FAQs
What is a Business Model Canvas, and why is it important for startups?

It’s a simple 9-block framework that maps out how your business creates, delivers, and profits from value. Dr. Pavan Soni calls it a game-changer for startups, helping you focus your business model strategy to attract customers and investors. At SOIL, we use it to turn ideas into real-world ventures.

How does SOIL teach students to create a business model plan?

We dive into hands-on learning! Through projects with NGOs, startup internships, and global study tours, SOIL students apply the Business Model Canvas to real challenges, crafting models that balance profit with social and ecological impact.

Can I learn business model innovation without prior business experience?

Absolutely! SOIL’s PGPM and PGDM programs are designed for freshers and professionals alike. Our faculty and mentors guide you to master business model strategies through practical exercises, no matter your background.

How can I start building my own business model with SOIL?

Join our PGPM or PGDM programs! you’ll learn to craft impactful business model plans through mentorship, projects, and industry exposure. Visit soil.edu.in

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FAQs

What is a Business Model Canvas, and why is it important for startups?

How does SOIL teach students to create a business model plan?

Can I learn business model innovation without prior business experience?

How can I start building my own business model with SOIL?

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