June 26, 2026 l BusinessWorld
“The power of storytelling” was the topic of Karen Davila at the Filipina CEO Circle’s (FCC) graduation for “CEO Next,” co-chaired by Accenture’s Ambe Tierro and Asticom’s Mharicar Castillo. “CEO Next” is FCC’s flagship program designed to empower and train high performing senior women executives into CEO roles. Ms. Karen said that while your past explains who you are, it does not define you. How you embrace your story empowers you. You choose your narrative — are you looking at the glass half full or half empty? Are you a victim or a visionary? Embrace your own story, as leadership begins with how you speak about yourself.
Congratulations to FCC/PBCom President Patricia May Siy, 2026 Asia’s Golden Icon Awardee for Transformational Impact in the Philippine Banking Industry and FCC member Margot Torres for the Quick Service Industry!
Interestingly, at the second Go Negosyo’s “Mentoring the Mentors” held June 10 in partnership with the US Embassy, David Bland discussed the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and he highlighted that the business model should tell a story. The Go Negosyo mentoring initiated by Joey Concepcion in 2006 has more than 800 mentors today. David Bland, author of “Testing Business Ideas,” helps companies find their product market fit using lean startup, design thinking and business model innovation.
What is a BMC? It is a one-page strategic tool that helps visualize and assess a business idea. It is a storytelling tool. It helps spot gaps, test ideas, and communicate one’s vision clearly. Mr. Bland discussed the nine elements and building blocks to a good BMC:
1. Customer segment – Always start with the customer. Who is your target customer? What are their needs, wants, and problems? Customers to target can be mass market, niche market, high end, etc.
2. Value proposition – This must be very clear. Don’t mistake this with the product. Instead, what value do you give the customer? What value is the customer getting from the product? That’s a big difference. Why will the customer choose you instead of another option?
3. Channel – How do you bring the product to the customer? Through a physical store? Online? Tea parties at home?
4. Customer relationship – What will make relationship sticky? Personalized service?
5. Revenue streams – How do we generate revenue from customers? What are the sources of revenue? Sale of machine (one-time), or recurring (service of parts, or post sale services)?
6. Key activities – This must be a verb, like manufacturing, planting, designing, selling, shipping, delivering, etc.
7. Key resources – This must be a noun. These are what’s needed to produce the product such as physical (raw materials, the factory), human (staff), and financial resources (cash, credit line).
8. Key partners – These are external companies or suppliers that help carry out major activities. Who can you partner with? These include buyer-supplier relationships, joint ventures, strategic alliances with non-competitors, etc.
9. Cost structure – How much will it cost to have these activities?
The BMC is a map and not a final business plan. Each element contains assumptions that need to be tested in the real world. Are you targeting the right customer? Does the customer have a problem that your proposed solution create value for? Revenue and costs must be realistic. The BMC is weak if it creates value but not enough revenue to sustain operations.
An example discussed was the Nespresso story. Initially, the company targeted small business and coffee shops to sell the machine. Later, it shifted focus to households, with the value proposition of “high-quality coffee espresso in your own home.” There was no change in the product (still the same Nespresso machine) but the business model changed.
During the workshop, participants were divided into groups tasked to come up with their business model canvas after deciding on a product. The group session provided an opportunity to apply the BMC and to connect with mentors from across the country who share a passion for learning and helping aspiring entrepreneurs. Some who joined were Cristina Almonte, Butz Belmonte, Carlo Calimon, Myrna Natividad, and Alex Pasia, among others.
Mr. Bland reminded attendees that if you can’t clearly tell the story of your business, there’s something missing or wrong. There may be a gap to fill. So, whether your business is a start-up or an established enterprise, going through and revisiting your BMC can reveal opportunities to fill, innovate and grow.
Life and businesses are built on stories. Whats your story? Make sure you have a good story to tell!
***The views expressed herein are her own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of her office as well as FINEX. For comments, email ftarriela@yahoo.com. Photo is from Pinterest.