Category: Business Models

Business Models2 Comments

Whats next in information architecture after ‘data’ – trust management

Colin Henderson

 Brad from Union Squares, produces one of those seminal posts asking the right questions, that I see aligned with how social networks are evolving.  Hat tip A VC. The progression to date has been up the stack in a classic architecture diagram, data is on top of that stack, and nothing sits on top of the data. I disagree. The genius of Craigslist is in its governance system. It is its lightweight governance system that allows 21 people to administer 300 sites in 35 countries. I believe that the basis of competition in web services will shift from the data … Continue reading Whats next in information architecture after ‘data’ – trust management

Business Models, Innovation

Challenging business models and getting beyond iterative thinking

Colin Henderson

 For me, understanding and predicting future business models is fascinating, and highly relevant to Banking, which has remained relatively unchanged, hence my conviction that it will disintegrate – the key being, how, when and what. So I enjoy this type of post from “A VC”, that challenges thinking in ways that brings almost uniform ridicule.  That suggests to me he is on to something.  Yes, this setup is still expensive. Yes, not everyone wants to “rent music”. But I agree with David that “music dialtone” is the future of music, not iTunes, iPod, or iPhone Source: A VC: David Kirkpatrick … Continue reading Challenging business models and getting beyond iterative thinking

Business Models, Innovation, Open Finance, Open Source Banking, Pinkomarketing, Profitability12 Comments

How can a Bank go online, and set itself apart?

Colin Henderson

 The problem with working in a Bank is that everything looks like a Bank.  You can always tell a Banker because your hear a ton of acronyms, and words like channel, multi channel, integration, etc.  In fairness Bankers are not alone in their industry view of the world.  Anyhow, in preparation for LIFT07, I got to thinking about why Banks are having such trouble breaking out into the internet space, and with something that’s probably obvious to everyone else, I compared to others in different industries. The well known, and two not so well known, (but will be well known), online names that … Continue reading How can a Bank go online, and set itself apart?

Business Models6 Comments

A Bubble Watcher Watches Google – New York Times

Colin Henderson

Dave Winer enjoys controversy, but I have to take issue with his recent statement about the next bubble burst, and how it will be represented by Google stock crashing.  Now the New York Times have picked up on it, quoting Dave here: Web 2.0, according to Mr. Winer, is nothing more than an aftermarket for Google. So many start-ups rely on Google – both as a basis for creating Web sites and as a channel for selling Google ads – that the entirety of Web 2.0 (the new generation of sites that rely on interactivity and open systems) will stand or … Continue reading A Bubble Watcher Watches Google – New York Times

Business Models, Social networks

Confused Of Calcutta | Great talent but not as we know it

Colin Henderson

Confused highlights an interesting book called Global Remix by Professor Richard Scase.  It aligns with the social network concept as firms adopt it.  He highlights a few paragraphs and click over there to read. Many parents have teenage and younger children who spend quite a lot of time in their bedrooms. They respond to parental commands through text messaging, e-mails and, occasionally, grunts. Parents with children of this kind should be congratulated for bringing up normal, well-adjusted youngsters. But they fear for their children’s futures. Will they ever be employable? ….. But, more than that, they will have to tolerate … Continue reading Confused Of Calcutta | Great talent but not as we know it

Business Models, Open Source Banking, Social networks3 Comments

Open Source Banking – why Wesabe is the best example of the new breed

Colin Henderson

Wesabe continue to build on their strength, with two feature additions.  This follows the addition of Kathy Sierra to their advisory board.  I think she might have some advice on explaining the multiple tag thing 🙂 But I want to lay out a view on Wesabe and how they might fit in the larger picture, because they are breaking new ground. When you create a tip, you can say what area that tip applies to, by adding the postal code for it. I use this to give tips about the auto shop I use, the grocery store that I think … Continue reading Open Source Banking – why Wesabe is the best example of the new breed

Business Models1 Comment

McKinsey | Interview with His Royal Highness Prince Alawleed Bin Talal Abdulaziz Alsaud

Colin Henderson

This is a fascinating interview with His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud —or Alwaleed, as he’s known in the Middle East.  Alwaleed is a nephew of the King of Saudi Arabia. 

This interview with McKinsey is incredibly illuminating, and remarkable to the extent that we all in some way see, touch or interact with something owned by this man.  His views on Islam, the west, and current events are pragmatic, and rational. 

He first came to prominence in the West in 1991, after paying $590 million for a 14.9 percent stake in then-struggling Citicorp (now Citigroup). His investment quickly became worth billions of dollars when the US financial giant pulled itself back from the brink of bankruptcy and resumed its profitable growth. Most recently, he has attracted headlines by teaming up with Bill Gates to back a $3.7 billion management buyout of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Source: The McKinsey Quarterly: The Online Journal of McKinsey & Co.

 

Continue reading “McKinsey | Interview with His Royal Highness Prince Alawleed Bin Talal Abdulaziz Alsaud”

Business Models1 Comment

Email is not an acquisition tool – it is a relationship tool

Colin Henderson

 Great quote.  Email is not an acquisition tool!  It is a relationship tool.  Something you use to develop a conversation with a prospect or customer. In fact, as Jim Nail, Former Senior Analyst with Forrester, said in a recent report: “One of the real strengths of email is its ability to finish the customer acquisition job started by media advertising.  Once the customer has been attracted to the web site, email can move a prospect through the consideration and preference phases all the way to purchase.” Source: AIMS Canada: From Acquisition to Developing Customer Relationships: Measure What Works   Technorati … Continue reading Email is not an acquisition tool – it is a relationship tool

Business Models

The Retail Bulletin – missed opportunities by not selling online

Colin Henderson

An interesting viewpoint from Barclaycard on the missed potential from merchants not selling their wares online.  The research by Barclaycard Business has found that 69 per cent of retailers questioned do not currently trade online and are missing out on lucrative Christmas sales as millions of shoppers shun the high street to shop online. Source: The Retail Bulletin – The complete retail news resource Barclaycard have a vested interest from potentially lost transaction revenue, but hidden in here is the stat that older companies are less online than newer ones. “Our research shows that many retailers perceive setting up online as a … Continue reading The Retail Bulletin – missed opportunities by not selling online

Business Models4 Comments

PardonMyFrench: How To Make Money Embracing YouTube (- or not!)

Colin Henderson

Eric, I love these debates.  This quote from your post goes to the core of the business model discussion. However, I keep asking questions on how these companies, bands, etc make money in the long term  …. One thing is clear that going after the end-user who posts the content is wrong because at the end of the day, they make nothing off of it and after all this is about money right? Source: PardonMyFrench: How To Make Money Embracing YouTube Yes its the American way to say its all abut money.  But then from “The Starfish and the Spider” … Continue reading PardonMyFrench: How To Make Money Embracing YouTube (- or not!)