BusinessMuovain is a digital evaluation tool that helps creative entrepreneurs to plan, analyse and develop business ideas and to evaluate their potential.
Enterprises in the creative sector often face difficulties developing their businesses. Among the areas requiring attention are such as feasibility, viability and attractiveness of the business idea, profitability of the business activity, and developing a functional business model. Common business development models adapt poorly to the creative industries. Consequently, the sector needs tools for business development, innovation and evaluation which can adapt to its special nature.
BusinessMuovain is a digital evaluation tool that helps (aspiring) entrepreneurs from the creative sector to plan, analyse and develop their own business ideas and to evaluate their potential, viability and feasibility as business ideas and activity innovation. The tool helps (aspiring) entrepreneurs to see and analyse different areas of business activity such as customer orientation, the structural nature of traditional business models, strategic tools, future foresight and creativity. BusinessMuovain emphasises proactive planning of business activities. The tool itself integrates several existing development frameworks such as SWOT analysis.
BusinessMuovain consists of 3 development rounds, 4 areas of discovery (resources, solutions, customers and finances), and the core, which is the personality and motivations of the entrepreneur. It has two circles. The outer circle focuses on external forces and the operating environment. The inner circle focuses on internal forces and the persona.
Resources needed
- Human resources
- BusinessMuovain is available at http://muovadigital.net/creve/login/index.php
- Resources for translations and development of the different language versions as at the moment the tool is available only in Finnish.
Evidence of success
- The tool has resulted functional in testing situations.
- BusinessMuovain speaks the same language as people working in creative industries. End users feel that this tool is directed specifically at them, unlike more typical tools for business development.
Difficulties encountered
- The topics discussed (e.g. financing) in the tool might be distant and partly unknown to some entrepreneurs.
- The terminology and model used might be difficult.
- The tool is available only in Finnish.
- Confidentiality of company materials on the virtual platform needs to be improved.
Potential for learning or transfer
Entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs across Europe face similar business challenges and also share many similar attitudes. Therefore, the tool could be adopted in different cultures, taking into account the special nature of a country’s handicrafts, surrounding economic landscape and infrastructure, the nature of the business or start-up developer, and other specific national and regional elements. Translation of the tool would be needed. The printed version of the tool could also be used for this purpose.
It might also be the case that more training in the use of the tool would be beneficial to business developers, start-up staff, etc., who support (aspiring) enterprises in the creative sector.
Tags: Business, Business services, Development, Entrepreneurship, SME
