Takeaways from Guy Kawasaki, Business Canvas

Four takeaways from Guy Kawasaki’s talk:

  1. Focus on creating meaning and not on creating profit. This excerpt from Kawasaki’s speech resonates with me and my project goal because meaning and purpose are deeply ingrained in the overall objectives of Project Plastikan. Our project is still in its infancy stages, and to hear a business expert preach to not worry about making a profit at first is a relief on the rest of the objectives that our team must accomplish. Keeping our eyes set on creating meaning will ensure that we will create the maximum amount of social and environmental impact in Malabon, and with hope, globally.
  2. Don’t listen to the bozos. I believe that an important aspect of life and success in general stems from an ability to understand what advice is worth following. This can come from a better understanding of both those who give you advice and of yourself and your weaknesses. If you do not have a good grasp on your own shortcomings and weaknesses, then any advice given to you will either not seem useful at all, or any advice will seem useful even if it may not be very helpful.
  3. Persistence and being confident in yourself. While this was not a direct lesson of his speech, Kawasaki demonstrated this personally when the moderators of the event were trying to get him off stage and to finish his talk. He showed this with lines like “what are they going to do? Not invite me back next year?” and other similar statements. He finished what he started. He was confident in himself and persistent enough to wish to finish out his speech, and his persistence paid off, because he was able to go over the time limit and finish his speech. This is relevant to Project Plastikan because our venture involves dealing with multiple organizations that can be described as lethargic, and require persistence to get the most from them. Additionally, confidence in ourselves and that what we are trying to accomplish is meaningful will prove advantageous because e will be able to project this confidence and gain the attention and favor of individuals that can help our venture grow and flourish.
  4. Invest in people. I firmly believe that the success of projects depends most on the individuals who work for the project, and any other factor takes a backseat. It does not matter how many advantages the project may have, if the people behind the venture are not willing to put in the work to see the product succeed, then the project will eventually fall flat of what it could be. People are the greatest asset of a venture, and directly determine whether a project can maintain its meaning and impact while still succeeding and growing.

 

Business Model Canvas: (in partnership with Devin)

 

Key Partners: UPD, Paradise Village Women’s Co-op, Vice Mayor’s Office, Lehigh University

Cost Structure: Developing and transporting machines, Powering machines, Rent for space being utilized

Revenue Streams: Selling the products produced by the machines

Channels: Local markets or to companies depending on the type of product produced

Key resources: human resources (women of co-op), machines

 

Key Activities: Collecting Plastic waste, operating machines, maintaining machines, selling products from machine process, designing molds for new products

Value Propositions: The products produced from the machines are significantly more valuable than the inputs, the value in the products also borrows from the fact that buying the products is reducing plastic waste and at the same time supporting impoverished women

Customer Relationship: Since the women in the co-op who will vend these products will be a part of the community, the venture will have a very close relationship with its customers. The customers can feel good that they are supporting the reduction of plastic waste and the empowerment of the women in the co-op.

Customer Segments: Customer segments include potential customers who wish to make a difference in the world by using their purchasing power to reduce the plastic waste in the philippines. Additionally, another segment is those who wish to support the innovation and creativity of the women in the co-op. Lastly, the customer base will remain in the local community of Malabon, Manila, but after future success may expand to other provinces of the Philippines and eventually to a more global market.

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