9 – Key Partners
A look at the business model from the product manager's point of view
CANVAS 13 - Great guide on the business model, from the product manager's point of view
1 – Customer Problem
2 – Customer Segments
3 – Value Propositions
Value Proposition Formulation Map
4 – Customer Relationships
5 – Channels
6 – Revenue Streams
7 – Key Activities
8 – Key Resources
You are here ➔ 9 – Key Partners
10 – Cost Structure
11 – Eco-Social Costs
12 – Eco-Social Benefits
13 – KPI (Key Performance Indicators)
Key partners are an important part of your business; they help carry out key operations or provide necessary resources. Suppose your company does not specialize in advertising; in this case, an advertising agency or another company providing you with content or other essential resources, which you cannot create on your own, can act as a key partner.
In platform-based business models, such as taxi services, key partners are drivers and passengers. If you do not have drivers, you cannot offer services to passengers. But if you do not have passengers, drivers will not work with you. This creates a unique challenge in the form of the need to synchronize demand on both sides of the platform.
Even in simpler business models, for example, when you sell building materials to distributors and individuals, the business model can be complex. If distributors are the foundation of your business model, they are classified as channels, and it might seem like the business model is complete. However, this is not the case.