| > | | | | models will ensure even richer and higher quality |
| Using genetic engineering, scientists can take | | | | harvests by expanding the community of those |
| qualities of a weed for hardiness and transfer | | | | who can imagine better ways to create them. |
| those strengths into a food crop. In the same | | | | As an example of what's possible, the |
| way, you can genetically engineer your business | | | | Hawaiian-style combination of tourism and |
| model by adding on all of the attractive qualities | | | | scientific research with dolphins described above |
| of complementary business models. If you | | | | could be combined and transported to rural parts |
| combine enough business models, you'll have an | | | | of underdeveloped and developing countries. |
| amazing advantage that will deliver myriads of | | | | This business model might require a partnership |
| benefits to large numbers of people. | | | | among community leaders, scientists, Earthwatch, |
| Most people try to improve what they do by | | | | lenders willing to help start Grameen-style banks |
| working on one element at a time. When it | | | | to establish infrastructure, and the local tourism |
| comes to creating more benefits for | | | | providers. |
| stakeholders, a better approach is to combine | | | | While in the rural communities, tourists could work |
| many complementary improvements by building | | | | on interesting scientific experiments, share their |
| on what other highly successful organizations have | | | | practical knowledge with local people through |
| done in other fields. Let's consider three cases: | | | | translators and educators in the community, |
| 1. Some Hawaiian resorts keep fish pools that | | | | consider investing in local versions of Grameen |
| attract tourists, provide a place to entertain | | | | banks and projects, and gain useful knowledge to |
| diners, allow children to learn to fish, and are kept | | | | use in creating new markets for local products |
| stocked by feeding fish with stale bread sent | | | | and services after they leave. |
| back from diners' tables. | | | | Although this kind of experience would not be |
| 2. Earthwatch helps scientists perform | | | | appealing to every tourist, many would find that it |
| experiments by asking volunteers to give of their | | | | combined all of the appeal of a safe Peace Corps |
| time and money. When a scientist makes the | | | | assignment, an Earthwatch experiment, and a |
| tasks interesting and puts them in an attractive | | | | vacation without the need for excessive time and |
| location, volunteers stand in line to help. | | | | economic commitments. Each involved person |
| 3. The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh has helped | | | | could become richer in both human and economic |
| eliminate poverty by providing low-cost, | | | | terms, as a result of the process. For those who |
| small-value loans and teaching its savers and | | | | wanted to, there could still be an opportunity for |
| borrowers how to live more fruitful lives and to | | | | plenty of recreation time by extending the |
| start businesses. | | | | vacation's length after the intense involvement |
| With all of these ways to cast bread upon the | | | | was over. |
| waters and build a better tomorrow for all, you | | | | What can stakeholders gain from other successful |
| can see that there exist many opportunities to | | | | business models that are complementary to your |
| create hybrid business models from these | | | | own? |
| successes. Consequently, these new business | | | | Copyright 2009 Donald W. |