Business Intelligence System

Analyse a business · Build a business · Understand the structure

Diagnostic

Analyse

Map an existing business against the fundamental framework — value chain position, competitive structure, organizational stage.

Architectural

Build

Design a business from the ground up. Answer structured questions and receive a strategic blueprint based on business mechanics.

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Step 01 — Identity

What does this business do?

Start with the fundamentals. Name the business and describe what it produces or provides.

Business name (or working title)

Describe what this business does

In plain language — what problem does it solve, what does it deliver, who benefits?

Primary industry

Step 02 — Value Chain Position

Where does this business sit in the chain?

Every business occupies a specific node. From raw inputs to end consumer — identify yours.

What does this business primarily provide?

A physical product

A service

A digital product

A platform / marketplace

Raw materials / inputs

Combination

Primary business model

B2B — sell to businesses

B2C — sell to consumers

B2B + B2C — both

C2C — consumer to consumer

Government / institutional

Production chain position — where does this business operate?

Primary (extraction / raw)

Secondary (manufacturing / processing)

Tertiary (services / distribution)

Quaternary (knowledge / tech)

Retail / end consumer

Multi-level / vertical

Step 03 — Scale & Market

How big is it, and who does it serve?

Scale determines your strategic options. Market determines your operational requirements.

Current company stage

Pre-startup / idea

Startup (0–2 years)

Small / micro-cap

Medium (established)

Large-cap

Mega corp

Customer economic segment

LSM 1–3 (low income)

LSM 4–6 (working class)

LSM 7–8 (middle class)

LSM 9–10 (upper class)

Enterprise / institutional

Cross-segment

Geographic scope

Local / community

Provincial / regional

National

Pan-African

International / global

Step 04 — Demand & Competition

What drives demand, and who else is fighting for it?

Demand type shapes everything from pricing to marketing requirements. Competition determines your weapons.

Demand type for your core offering

Inelastic — essential, always needed

Elastic — price sensitive, discretionary

Mixed — depends on the buyer

Primary demand driver

Utility — functional need

Status / identity

Compliance / regulation

Convenience / time saving

Cost reduction for buyer

Emotional / experiential

Competitive structure in your market

Monopoly (one dominant player)

Oligopoly (few large players)

Fragmented (many players)

Emerging (undefined)

Unsure

Anything else important about this business? (optional)

Business Diagnostic

Analysing business structure...

01 / 04

Step 01 — The Concept

What business do you want to build?

Start with your idea. Don't filter it — just describe it as clearly as you can.

Business concept or idea

What do you want to do? What would you sell or provide?

Target industry

What problem does this solve, or what demand does it serve?

Step 02 — Structure

How will this business be structured?

Define the operational model — what you provide, who buys it, and where you sit in the chain.

What will the business primarily provide?

A physical product

A service

A digital product

A platform / marketplace

Raw materials / inputs

Combination

Who are the primary customers?

B2B — businesses

B2C — consumers

B2B + B2C — both

Government / institutional

Value chain position — where will you operate?

Primary (extraction / raw)

Secondary (manufacturing / processing)

Tertiary (services / distribution)

Quaternary (knowledge / tech)

Retail / end consumer

Multi-level / vertical

Step 03 — Scale & Resources

Where are you starting, and where do you want to go?

Starting point shapes your organizational structure. Ambition shapes your strategy. Be honest about both.

Starting stage (where you are now)

Idea / pre-startup

Early startup (limited capital)

Funded startup

Building from existing venture

Target customer segment

LSM 1–3 (low income)

LSM 4–6 (working class)

LSM 7–8 (middle class)

LSM 9–10 (upper class)

Enterprise / institutional

Cross-segment

Key functions you can handle yourself at launch (select all that apply)

Operations / delivery

Sales

Marketing

Finance / bookkeeping

Technology / digital

Legal / compliance

HR / team management

Supply chain / procurement

Step 04 — Demand & Differentiation

What pulls customers in, and why you over others?

Demand type determines your operational requirements. Differentiation determines your survival.

Expected demand type

Inelastic — essential, recurring

Elastic — price sensitive

Mixed / uncertain

Primary demand driver

Utility — functional need

Status / identity

Compliance / regulation

Convenience / time saving

Cost reduction for buyer

Emotional / experiential

Geographic ambition

Local / community first

Provincial / regional

National

Pan-African

International

Competitive differentiation — what makes this defensible? (optional)

Business Blueprint

Constructing business blueprint...