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Visualizing with Post-it Notes
™

VISUAL THINKING

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DESIGN A set of Post-it™ notes is an indispensable tool that everyone refl ecting on business

models should keep handy. Post-it™ notes function like idea containers that can be added,
removed, and easily shifted between business model building blocks. This is important
because during business model discussions, people frequently do not immediately agree
on which elements should appear in a Business Model Canvas or where they should be
placed. During exploratory discussions, some elements might be removed and replaced
multiple times to explore new ideas.

Here are three simple guidelines: (1) use thick marking pens, (2) write only one element
per Post-it™ note, and (3) write only a few words per note to capture the essential point.
Using thick markers is more than a detail: it prevents you from putting too much informa-
tion on a single Post-it™, and makes for easier reading and overview.

Keep in mind, too, that the discussion leading to the fi nal business model picture created
by all the Post-it™ notes is just as important as the outcome. Discussion around which
notes to place on or remove from the Canvas and debate over how one element infl uences
others give participants a deep understanding of the business model and its dynamics.
Consequently, a Post-it™ note becomes more than just a piece of sticky paper represent-
ing a business model building block; it becomes a vector for strategic discussion.

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