3.2 Success factors

Once the benefits have been shown, the next step is to preserve them. In order to do so, the following success factors must be kept in mind.

1. Have the appropriate leadership. Person(s) that can make well based and quick decisions to assure the continuity of the model once it has been implemented.
2. Create an internal environment of quick and flexible response. All departments of the company must be flexible and adjust quickly to events
3. Have integrative indicators and measurements. This is a model “thermometer”, one that will indicate if everything is going smoothly according to expectations or not. The indicators will show warning signs in order to take corrective action.
4. Have corrective actions or model adjustments. Learn from actual results by quickly adjusting and evolving the business model in an integrative way, being coherent, sound and aligned with the company vision.

Conclusions

After seeing what a business model is and the required issues involved in having a successful business model test and implementation; companies must keep in mind that there is no one time testing of a model and guarantees of success in the business world. In our era, businesses are dynamical propelled by technology that change constantly as we move more and more into a more global world. The keys for companies to succeed are to be always focused and to be flexible enough to adjust its business model quickly and effectively according to the changing demands of customers and markets.

One of the most important functions that companies can have to anticipate competitive threats and to recognize evolving market opportunities is to have a continuing competitive intelligence function within the company. Management failures are frequently associated with the inability to anticipate rapid changes in the markets, respond to new and proliferating competition, or re-orient technologies and the strategic direction of their business toward changing customer needs and new industry standards. Competitive intelligence is an important function in today’s rapidly changing business environment.