Building a New Business Model for Digitalisation Services
A guide for commercial and social enterprises
Many social organisations and small and medium-sized enterprises lack the time, staff and budget for digitalisation. This German-language book shows step by step how to turn that into a viable business model: digitalisation as a service for others, from the first idea to the implementation plan.
Who the book is for
For anyone who wants to offer or buy digitalisation as a service.
Social organisations and providers
Managing directors who want to drive digitalisation even though every expense has to be agreed with the funding bodies.
Small and medium-sized enterprises
Companies without their own digitalisation department who want to know how to set up external support sensibly.
IT and digitalisation leaders
Leaders who want to develop existing know-how into a new line of business and introduce it systematically.
The approach
In five phases to a business model.
The basis is Dirk Schallmo's process model for business model innovation, complemented by the Business Model Canvas and the Stepping Vision Canvas for the workshops.
- Idea generation
Collect and assess ideas for new business models.
- Vision development
Condense customer, technology and future monitors into a vision.
- Prototypes
Industry monitor, stakeholder analysis and business model grid.
- Business model
Work out and define all six dimensions.
- Implementation
Implementation plan with the phases preparation and set-up.
Six dimensions of a business model
Structure
Six chapters, one continuous example.
Using a social-sector organisation as the example, the book develops a complete business model. Workshops and surveys are designed for this and worked through as examples.
Introduction
Why digitalisation in the social sector and in SMEs becomes an opportunity for a business model.
Theoretical framework
Business model, business model innovation, canvas methods, digitalisation in the social sector, services.
Methodology
Starting point in the organisation, target groups, workshops and surveys, skills assessment.
Results
Findings from workshops and surveys, up to pricing the services.
Business model design
The six dimensions worked out, plus the implementation plan.
Conclusion
Critical reflection on surveys, workshops and methodology, plus conclusion.
What the book develops
Eight core services, each with a clear value proposition.
At launch, the business model deliberately focuses on the most important services. This reduces complexity and makes the introduction easier.
- Digitalisation consulting
at eye level, methodical and from my own experience
- Interviews
Gather requirements, tailor projects to fit
- Strategy development
a concept to start implementation with
- Project management
systematic and with agile methods
- First-level support
fast help with hardware and software
- Product lifecycle management
Continuously adapt applications to new requirements
- Training
from practice, for practice
- Support with funding programmes
Find, apply for and implement funding
Publication status
On the way to publication.
- DoneFirst draft
All six chapters are written.
- CurrentRevision
Sharpen the content, finalise figures and sources.
- NextCopy-editing & typesetting
Language, design, cover.
- Q1 2027Publication
In bookshops and as an e-book.