While the Business Model Canvas is regarded as a valuable method to put into use in almost every business – and non business- situation, it is often degraded by filling it with text. I tend to loose momentum when I am looking at a Business Model Canvas that has only text in it. Let alone when its filled with jargon.

My energy flows in translating the words in order to get to the information behind the language that is used. And this goes for any language. The time it takes to translate is more often wasted.
Words and symbols are often not related to the actual meaning or the subject itself.
Think about it; Why is a bike, called a bike?

Cue; visual language.

While there are a lot positive side effects when using visual language (just ask Dan Roam, Dave Gray, Dave Sibbet or Sunni Brown) it is not the answer to all our problems. But it doesn’t hurt.

At the base of every language is the ‘rule’ that both parties willing to communicate speak, write and read the same language. And while reading visual language is quite easy for a lot of people, the actual writing, or drawing if you will, tends to be a no-go for a lot of grown-ups. Speaking the visual language in my opinion is sign language. So I won’t go much further in to that.

We encourage and help people to draw in their Business Model Canvas. And usually they say:
“Wow, I didn’t look at it that way.”

Drawings are an essential factor when you want to use the full potential of the Business Model Canvas. And in order to get you started we have made our own canvas with little drawings:
Visual Notes – Business Model Canvas.pdf
That might make it a little easier to start drawing in it!

And it doesn’t hurt;)