Embarking (从事)on the entrepreneurial journey is an exhilarating(/ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/excited) step toward creating a legacy. However, the stakes are high — it’s almost common knowledge that 90% of startups fail. A recent survey by Failory looked into the why behind this number in 2024. Over half of the failed businesses cited marketing failures(营销失败). Specifically, 34% cited poor market fit (不能满足消费者需求)as a critical factor.
This makes selecting the right business model in 2024 more crucial than ever to ensure you’re positioned correctly in the market. Aligning your business model with market demands and personal values is key to avoiding these statistics.
确保你的产品能满足市场需求，而不是毫无用处
By exploring the advantages and challenges of various models, from the structured support of franchising to the flexible adaptability of lean startups, it’s important to assess how each aligns with your long-term goals and immediate needs.
Related: The 7 Elements of a Strong Business Model
1. The structured approach of franchising
Franchising offers a structured pathway to business ownership that combines the security of a proven system with the excitement of entrepreneurship. One of the primary benefits of franchising is its turnkey operation. Franchisees are provided with a ready-made business blueprint, significantly lowering the startup failure rate compared to independent ventures. This model comes with established brand recognition and customer loyalty, which can be invaluable assets from day one.
Take McDonald’s, for example. With over 38,000 locations worldwide, McDonald’s franchisees benefit from the power of a globally recognized brand and a loyal customer base, reducing much of the risk that comes with starting a new business. McDonald’s offers its franchisees extensive training and support, covering everything from store operations to financial management and marketing campaigns. This ensures that franchisees can focus on growing their individual outlets without the burden of building these systems from scratch.
McDonald’s has perfected this model by streamlining processes and leveraging its vast supply chain. Franchisees get the advantage of bulk purchasing, established suppliers and powerful advertising campaigns. This support structure helps new owners avoid many pitfalls that independent businesses face, such as inconsistent quality or costly marketing efforts.
However, franchising comes with challenges. In the case of McDonald’s, the initial investment is significant, often ranging between $1.3 million and $2.3 million. Franchisees must also pay ongoing royalties, typically 4-5% of gross sales, which can impact long-term profitability. Additionally, while franchisees benefit from McDonald’s global reputation, they must adhere to strict operational guidelines, leaving little room for creativity or local adaptation. McDonald’s maintains tight control over everything from the menu to store layout, which limits entrepreneurial freedom.
For entrepreneurs drawn to the structure and support of a well-established brand, franchising can be a less risky pathway to success. However, it’s important to weigh the financial commitments and lack of operational flexibility when considering this model.
2. The subscription-based model
Subscription-based models offer several compelling advantages for businesses looking to establish a steady and predictable revenue stream. This model significantly reduces the unpredictability associated with one-time sales by ensuring that revenue is generated on a regular basis through monthly or annual subscriptions. For example, Dollar Shave Club revolutionized the razor industry by offering affordable razors and grooming products directly to consumers via subscription. This not only created a consistent revenue stream but also built strong customer loyalty by delivering products on a recurring basis.
One of the key benefits of this model is its scalability. Dollar Shave Club demonstrated this by expanding its offerings based on customer feedback, moving from simple razors to a broader range of grooming products. The subscription model allowed the company to scale quickly and efficiently, as it could adjust its services without substantial incremental costs. This adaptability helps businesses respond to market demands and maintain operational efficiency as they grow.
However, while subscription models like Dollar Shave Club have thrived, maintaining customer retention is an ongoing challenge. To prevent churn, companies must constantly innovate and deliver exceptional customer service. In Dollar Shave Club’s case, they continuously updated their product line and used clever, engaging marketing to keep customers interested and subscribed. This approach helped them avoid high churn rates, but it also required significant investment in product development and customer engagement strategies.
While the subscription model provides businesses with stable revenue and growth opportunities, it also demands consistent attention to customer satisfaction. Companies need to focus on innovation and customer service to retain subscribers, making the model both lucrative and resource-intensive.
Related: 4 Effective Business Models That Built Billion-Dollar Companies
3. The lean startup model
The lean startup model is highly regarded for its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs aiming to minimize risk while maximizing adaptability. A prime example of this is Dropbox, which used the lean startup approach to become a multi-billion-dollar company. Rather than building a full product from the start, Dropbox launched a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — a simple video demonstration of its concept. This allowed the founders to gather feedback and gauge interest before committing to full-scale development. The overwhelming response validated the demand for a simple file-sharing solution, and Dropbox quickly grew from a startup into an industry leader.
By following this lean methodology, Dropbox was able to iterate rapidly, continuously improving its service based on real-time user feedback. This approach minimized upfront investment while ensuring that their product met the needs of the market. As of its 2023 revenue report, Dropbox has reached over 700 million registered users, and its annual revenue was $2.5 billion, demonstrating the power of scaling efficiently using lean principles.
However, the lean startup model isn’t without challenges. Its iterative nature requires constant adjustments, which can lead to uncertainty and the risk of over-pivoting. While Dropbox managed to scale effectively, frequent product changes can confuse stakeholders or destabilize the business strategy if not carefully managed. Despite these risks, for entrepreneurs who prioritize flexibility and responsiveness, the lean startup model offers a pathway to success with minimal initial investment.
4. The cooperative business model
The cooperative business model emphasizes shared ownership and decision-making, fostering a democratic approach to running a business. Each member has a voice in key decisions, promoting transparency and engagement. This model often leads to a strong sense of community and prioritizes long-term value over short-term profits. A prime example is REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a consumer cooperative that has successfully operated under this model for over 80 years. REI’s profits are either reinvested in the business or returned to its members through annual dividends. In 2022 alone, REI returned $234 million to its 23 million co-op members in the form of dividends and member-exclusive discounts.
One of the major advantages of the cooperative model is the alignment between the business and the community it serves. REI, for instance, focuses on environmental sustainability and local development, ensuring its values match those of its members. This not only creates brand loyalty but also strengthens the cooperative’s long-term sustainability.
However, there are challenges inherent in the cooperative model. Since profits are distributed among all members, individual financial returns may be lower compared to other business structures. Additionally, decision-making can be slower due to the need for consensus among many members. For REI, balancing its cooperative ideals with financial growth has been crucial to maintaining its success while supporting both the environment and its community.
踏上创业之旅是令人振奋的一步，也是通往创造辉煌事业的必经之路。然而，风险也极高——几乎人人都知道，90%的创业公司都会失败。Failory 最近的一项调查探究了2024年这一数字背后的原因。超过半数的失败企业将失败归咎于营销失败。具体而言，34%的企业认为市场契合度差是关键因素。
因此，在2024年选择合适的商业模式比以往任何时候都更加重要，以确保你在市场中占据正确的位置。使你的商业模式与市场需求和个人价值观相契合，是避免重蹈覆辙的关键。
确保你的产品能够满足市场需求，而不是毫无用处
通过探索各种模式的优势和挑战，从特许经营的结构化支持到精益创业的灵活适应性，评估每种模式如何与你的长期目标和当前需求相契合至关重要。
相关阅读：强大商业模式的七大要素
- 特许经营的结构化模式
特许经营提供了一条结构化的创业之路，它将成熟系统的安全性与创业的激情相结合。特许经营的主要优势之一是其交钥匙式运营模式。加盟商可以获得现成的商业蓝图，与独立创业相比，显著降低了创业失败率。这种模式拥有成熟的品牌知名度和客户忠诚度，从第一天起就能成为宝贵的资产。
以麦当劳为例。麦当劳在全球拥有超过38,000家门店，其加盟商受益于全球知名品牌和忠实客户群的强大影响力，从而大大降低了创业风险。麦当劳为加盟商提供全面的培训和支持，涵盖从门店运营到财务管理和市场营销等各个方面。这确保加盟商能够专注于发展各自的门店，而无需从零开始构建这些系统。
麦当劳通过简化流程和利用其庞大的供应链，完善了这一模式。加盟商可以享受批量采购、成熟供应商和强大的广告宣传等优势。这种支持体系帮助新加盟商避免了许多独立经营者面临的陷阱，例如产品质量不稳定或营销成本高昂。
然而，特许经营也并非没有挑战。以麦当劳为例，初始投资额巨大，通常在130万美元到230万美元之间。加盟商还必须支付持续的特许经营费，通常为总销售额的 4-5%，这会影响长期盈利能力。此外，虽然加盟商可以受益于麦当劳的全球声誉，但他们必须遵守严格的运营准则，几乎没有发挥创意或进行本地化调整的空间。麦当劳对从菜单到门店布局的一切都进行严格控制，这限制了创业者的自由度。
对于那些被成熟品牌的结构和支持所吸引的创业者来说，特许经营可能是一条风险较低的成功之路。然而，在考虑这种模式时，权衡财务投入和运营灵活性不足的问题至关重要。
- 订阅模式
订阅模式为希望建立稳定且可预测收入来源的企业提供了几个极具吸引力的优势。这种模式通过确保按月或按年订阅定期产生收入，从而显著降低了一次性销售带来的不确定性。例如，Dollar Shave Club 通过订阅方式直接向消费者提供价格实惠的剃须刀和个人护理产品，彻底改变了剃须刀行业。这不仅创造了稳定的收入来源，而且通过定期提供产品，建立了强大的客户忠诚度。
这种模式的关键优势之一是其可扩展性。Dollar Shave Club 就充分证明了这一点，它根据客户反馈扩展了产品线，从简单的剃须刀扩展到更广泛的个人护理产品。订阅模式使公司能够快速高效地扩展规模，因为它可以调整服务而无需大幅增加成本。这种适应性有助于企业响应市场需求，并在发展过程中保持运营效率。
然而，尽管像 Dollar Shave Club 这样的订阅模式蓬勃发展，但保持客户留存率仍然是一个持续的挑战。为了防止客户流失，公司必须不断创新并提供卓越的客户服务。以 Dollar Shave Club 为例，他们不断更新产品线，并运用巧妙且引人入胜的营销策略来保持客户的兴趣和订阅。这种方法帮助他们避免了高流失率，但也需要对产品开发和客户互动策略进行大量投资。
虽然订阅模式为企业提供了稳定的收入和增长机会，但也需要投入大量资源。