Not every entrepreneur begins with a well-defined business plan. In some instances, a business plan is not always necessary. But, there must be a strategy to direct the business. Business mapping can be a helpful tool for entrepreneurs who want to open a start-up business but don’t have a well-defined plan.
What is a Business Map?
In creating a business map, it is important that each person involved in the company understands how it works. Business mapping allows you to visualise each key component or building block of the company:
- Key partners
- Key resources
- Key activities
- Customer relationships
- Value propositions
- Channels
- Revenue streams
- Cost structure
The main focus of process mapping is how to create value. Process mapping is like creating a prototype of your business.
How Your Business Benefits from Process Mapping
There are key benefits to employing a business map for your business. Consider the following:
- Chances are, you have been making notes of how to run your business before starting operation. But only with a process map will you be able to better gain perspective on which process yields the best value for your company. You can better understand how viable each of your ideas is and how this will benefit your company in the long run.
- Discovering your niche. Most strong businesses have a clear concept and strong identity. Process maps will help you discover your niche. You are better able to focus on your intended target market and build your processes around this target.
- Build your business pitch. A process map can help you with the facts to tell your story. You can better speak to potential clients or investors and tell them the value that you offer your customers.
- Engage your employees. Your team of employees will need to clearly understand the vision of the business. Employees will perform better if they know exactly what their job descriptions are.
- Realise ideas. Process maps help you come up with new ideas. You are also better able to realise these ideas when they are visualised through a process map.
Business planning does not have to be complicated. With the use of business maps, you can eliminate unnecessary tasks and tighten the management of your company. With the implementation of these processes you can be confident in the tasks completed by your employees.
If you don’t know where to start or how to get the most compatible business process mapping tool for your business, start by checking online. There are tutorial videos to help you understand the process better. You can also download software for free as a trial option. You can look at different options and compare how simple or complex each software is.
