- Business model innovation is now a necessity – not just for startups, but also for established SMEs
- 44% of European SMEs are actively engaged in innovation – professional consulting accelerates the process significantly
- Digital transformation starts with the business model, not with technology
- The Business Model Canvas is the most widely used framework for systematic business model development
- Point of New combines international best practices with local Viennese market understanding
In a world that is changing faster than ever before, it is no longer enough to focus only on the product. Companies that want to be successful in the long term must question and evolve their entire business model.
As an innovation consultancy in Vienna, we at Point of New support companies in systematically analysing, optimising, and rethinking their business models. In this article, you will learn why business model innovation is more important than ever and how you can benefit from it as an SME.
What is Business Model Innovation?
Business model innovation means changing the way a company creates, delivers, and captures value. Unlike pure product innovation, this is about the bigger picture: Who are your customers? What problem do you solve? How do you make money? And what resources and partnerships do you need to do so?
The best-known tool for this is Alexander Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas. It makes all nine building blocks of a business model visible on a single page and enables teams to work systematically on further development.
The three dimensions of business model innovation:
- Value Creation: What resources, activities, and partners do you need to deliver your value proposition?
- Value Proposition: What specific problem do you solve for which customer segments?
- Value Capture: How do you monetize your offering? What revenue streams do you generate?
In our work, we repeatedly see that successful innovation doesn’t just affect one of these dimensions – often all three need to be rethought. A classic example: A mechanical engineering company that switches from product sales to “equipment-as-a-service” fundamentally changes all three dimensions.
Studies show a significantly positive association between business model innovation and SME performance – especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, innovation-capable companies proved to be significantly more resilient.
Why do companies need innovation consulting?
Many companies know they need to change. But day-to-day business eats strategy for breakfast. This is exactly where professional innovation consulting comes in:
- External perspective: An experienced consultant identifies blind spots that are invisible internally.
- Methodological expertise: From Design Thinking and Lean Startup to the Value Proposition Canvas, there are proven frameworks.
- Execution power: Workshops and coaching ensure that ideas actually turn into results.
- Speed: What takes months internally can be achieved in weeks with structured support.
Return on Investment: Current data shows that 44% of European SMEs actively invest in innovation – compared to 58% for large companies. The difference? Large companies often have dedicated innovation teams and external consultants. SMEs that close this gap through targeted consulting accelerate their time-to-market by an average of 30-40%.
In our work with Austrian SMEs, we see three typical challenges that professional consulting solves:
- Operational blindness: “We’ve always done it this way” – external consultants break through entrenched thought patterns
- Resource constraints: No time, no budget, no dedicated innovation teams
- Lack of structure: Lots of ideas, but no systematic process for validation and implementation
Innovation Consulting Vienna: The Location Advantage
Vienna is not only a cultural capital, but also a growing innovation hub in Central Europe. With a strong network of startups, established companies, and research institutions, the location offers ideal conditions for innovation.
Why Vienna scores as an innovation location:
- Central location: Gateway to CEE markets (Central Eastern Europe) with over 200 million potential customers
- Research landscape: TU Wien, WU Wien, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology – close integration of science and business
- Startup ecosystem: Over 3,500 active startups, many in the deep-tech sector
- Funding programs: AWS (Austria Wirtschaftsservice), FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency), Vienna Business Agency – various funding programs for innovation
At Point of New, we combine international best practices with local market understanding. Our consulting services include:
- Business model innovation: Systematic analysis and redesign of your business model
- Innovation workshops: Design Thinking and Business Model Canvas sessions for your team
- Innovation coaching: Personal support on your path to innovation
- SME consulting packages: Tailor-made solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises
Our approach: We don’t just work theoretically on the model, but accompany you through to market validation. From the initial idea to the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) – with clear milestones and measurable results.
Digital Transformation: More Than Just Technology
A common mistake in digital transformation is focusing on technology alone. Introducing new software does not make a company digital. True transformation starts with the business model:
- Understand customer needs: What do your customers expect in the digital age?
- Rethink the value proposition: What digital services can you offer?
- Adapt the revenue model: From one-off sales to recurring revenue?
- Optimise processes: Where can automation create real added value?
The biggest challenges for European SMEs: A recent study on digital transformation in Europe shows: Financial constraints and skills shortages are the main obstacles. That’s exactly why a structured approach is so important – not “digitize everything at once,” but focused quick wins with measurable ROI.
In our work, we recommend the Digital Maturity Check: A structured assessment of your digital maturity across five dimensions:
- Strategy: Is digitization part of your corporate strategy?
- Culture: Do you have an innovation culture that allows experimentation?
- Skills: Do your employees have the necessary digital skills?
- Technology: Is your IT infrastructure scalable and flexible?
- Customer focus: Do you use data to better understand customer needs?
Austria has recognized this: The National Strategic Roadmap for the Digital Decade 2024 provides targeted support for SMEs in their digital transformation.
Practice Framework: The 4-Step Process for Business Model Innovation
| Phase | Activity | Outcome | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Analysis | Complete Business Model Canvas, identify weaknesses, analyze competition | Current state documented, action areas defined | 1-2 weeks |
| 2. Ideation | Design Thinking workshop, customer interviews, trend screening | 3-5 validated business model ideas | 2-3 weeks |
| 3. Prototyping | Develop MVP, Lean Startup experiments, pilot projects | Tested MVP with first customer feedback | 4-8 weeks |
| 4. Scaling | Go-to-market strategy, optimize processes, build team | Scaled new business model | 3-6 months |
💡 Tip: Start small! A single pilot project in “Digital Services” can deliver measurable results within 8-12 weeks.
How to Get Started: 3 Practical Steps
Do you want to evolve your business model? Here are three steps you can implement right away:
- Visualise your business model: Fill out a Business Model Canvas for your current business model. What works well? Where are the weak points?
- Interview customers: Talk to 10 customers and ask: What is your biggest unresolved problem?
- Schedule an initial consultation: Contact us for a free 30-minute initial consultation. Together, we will analyse your innovation potential.
Request Innovation Consulting
Business model innovation starts with the first conversation.
Schedule Initial ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
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Related Terms
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- Business Model Innovation: Systematic Approach for SMEs
- Innovation Workshops: Design Thinking in Practice
- Innovation Coaching: Personal Support to Success
- Business Model Canvas: The Complete Guide
Conclusion
Business model innovation is not a luxury, but a necessity. Whether you are an established SME looking for new growth opportunities or a startup that wants to validate its model—professional innovation consulting accelerates the path to results.
Point of New is your innovation consultancy in Vienna. Book your free initial consultation now and find out how business model innovation can move your company forward.
