A Class in the Business Canvas Model

Last Saturday (I realise it's been quite a few days), I attended a workshop on the Business Canvas Model.

Never having heard of it before, I went with an open mind.

What I learned was very useful for what I am doing now. It was a rather straightforward template which you fill in with information about your targeted customers, their behaviourial patterns (to help you determine what you should provide for them), how you intend to get the product/service you are providing to them, what your company does etc.

The facilitator (whom I happen to know from a previous meeting) was careful to remind us that many of the things we put down on the canvas template are assumptions until they are tested.

Even so, he encouraged us to try them out and make changes along the way. He emphasised the need to experiment and adapt because the market changes all the time and things are always moving. 

What he told me reminded me about microtrends - seemingly inconsequential small trends that, if you integrate into a big picture, can influence the outcome of an idea or direction.

Having had the opportunity to make some plans, I realise how much more planning and thought is required to get a business to work. That said, it's great to have guidelines to follow so I don't have to come up with everything by my own limited experience.

It's going to be busy these few upcoming weeks, what with major projects coming in and all sorts of events to attend. Gotta get that brain and body rested!

Weekend of Photography

Sometimes, you just have to do what you've been putting off for the longest of times.

One of these things, for me, has been the taking of proper photos for my book's marketing images and book cover (on the back, of course).

So, I finally booked a studio and had my photos taken.

Unfortunately, the background isn't completely white because the pictures in the camera looked much whiter than it does once I transferred the pictures to my computer. 

Nevertheless, it was quite an experience to work in a professional photo studio for the first time.

I learned to adjust the lighting, positioning, camera settings to suit the lighting etc.

It's quite a different ball game from outdoor photography, which I've been doing all my life. Well, new experiences are always good.

Apart from taking photos in a studio, I finally got the equipment necessary to do proper product shoots at home. I got a proper light tent, lamps and proper bulbs.

Now, I am no longer at the mercy of the Sun and the weather. I can shoot whenever I want in the comfort of my home. Why do I need to take product shoots, you ask? That's what the Gem Hunter is going to reveal next.

So, here's a shot of some very colourful tourmaline tumbles:

First Step into Fiverr

Some of you have heard of Fiverr or even used the myriad services listed there.

Personally, I've always thought that it was a great idea to sell your services as well as test the market for what they are willing to pay for. Of course, it'll help to know how to market them.

Having recently met a successful Fiverr seller (not sure if this is the correct term to use), I decided to learn from him and see how he does it. He will be guiding me through the process and giving me feedback. I've always wanted to sell on Fiverr. I just never figured out how to do it properly and was concerned about how to beat the top sellers for attention.

Well, I think I've found my key into Fiverr. I'll continue to update when I learn stuff that I think will be useful to you.

Until my next post, here's a picture of some very pretty peridot chips.

Death of a Trusted Companion

On Tuesday (08 Mar 2016), I was getting ready for my fourth teaching session for the day. While fiddling with my phone, the screen stayed lit despite pressing the "turn off screen" button. I could not get it to respond in any way so I decided to do a reset by removing the battery and putting it back in.

It never turned back on since then. Sadly, my trusted companion had met its end.

As much as I like to say that my life doesn't revolve around my phone, I do take for granted that it will always be there to get information that I want to look up at any time. I'm talking about Google search, not social media.

It was exceedingly frustrating to have 3 teaching sessions to go, all the way until late at night, without any form of contact to other people. Granted that I did not have any more pressing appointments that day, I still felt annoyed.

Nevertheless, I survived the day without a phone, and most of Wednesday as well.

I learned that the information age can be truly insidious. It has caused us to expect quick transmission of data and lament lag and disconnection.

An experience like this makes me realise how neglected our social skills and resourcefulness become due to having so much information at our fingertips. We don't even bother to remember phone numbers anymore because "they are stored in our phones, anyway". What would we do if a media meltdown occurred? How would we react and would we help each other?

It really makes one wonder...