Dear Hub members,

On November 17th 2010, we organized “The Business Model Generation Event” in Rotterdam, the Netherlands with the Dutch Publisher Kluwer. The Dutch version of “Business Model Generation” definitely deserves a special event after selling more than 6.000 copies in the Netherlands and more than 50.000 copies worldwide.

In the Netherlands, the use of the Business Model Canvas is widely spread amongst various industries. But what is the actual experiences regarding (the use of) business modeling. What are the take-aways from the industries and organizations that use it in their daily practice? What are the so-called best practices? Me, Camilla and Alex decided to organize a “Business Model Generation Event” with our Dutch publisher to offer an overview of the Business Model thinking in the Dutch market. We though wanted to create a different event. An event distinguished by high-end knowledge, prominent business professionals in an interactive setting at a classy location. No ordinary location, no boring speakers and foremost no bullet point presentations. Oh yes, we also wanted to dance…

Alex kicked off the event with the Business Model Canvas and very interesting new insights in new business models. We asked a selection of entrepreneurs and business relations to join forces and tell the world about their systematic efforts with business modeling. We asked one of the most successful and well-respected female entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, Annemarie van Gaal, to be our host. Having set up the Moscow Times back in the 1990’a, she knows very well how to make publishing business model work. Said and done, Annemarie guided the 160 participating managers, CEOs, entrepreneurs and CFOs throughout the day. We served a caroussel of business modeling examples ranging across different sectors. Speeches and presentations were held by Hans Meyer (Initiator CitizenM), Michiel Muller (Founder Tango), Maurice van Steensel(Professor Academic Hospital Maastricht), Michael Maasdam (Business Developement Manager KPN Telecom) and ourselves about working with business modeling and applying the business model canvas. Each and all very different stories all accompanied by beautifully designed business models. We also talked about how to apply visual thinking in business modeling and how to draw a business model. JAM visual thinking helped the audience to draw up their business models. Great energy and amazing sketches.

Then, what about our dancing wish? Hind, the first crowd-funded artist via the concept ofSellaband, took us on her journey of being an independent artist. She built her business model releasing herself from the traditional record company contracts. She claimed Crosspop on Wiki, she produced the album with one of the best producers in the world and she surely has got her business model right. We helped Hind by a rapid business modeling contest to further innovate her business model. 160 participating managers, CEOs, entrepreneurs and CFOs started to boost their brain engines. And then… we turned The Business Model Generation Event into a disco. Wow. What a voice, what a music, what an audience.

We are proud to present this video to you all. Thanks to our partner Fish-Eye who is responsible for all Business Models Inc. videos. We look forward to take this to all your cities... Let us know if you are interested and we help you organizing, knowledge sharing etc.