SEED Guide

Implementing: Tasks & Tools

Steps

Check your design thinking in the previous steps, https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/design-thinking-explained

1. Note that “Implementation involves detailed design, training, tooling, and ramping up. It is a huge amount of effort, so get it right before you expend that effort.”

-          Steve Eppinger, MIT Sloan professor

Implementation Plan Checklist

Asana, https://asana.com/templates

Process, https://www.process.st/how-to/asana-checklist/

1. Prepare a list of objectives so you can measure progress and performance.

2. Develop a scope statement that defines your goals, deadlines, and project outcomes.

3. Guide the team in managing timelines, delegating tasks, and allocating resources with an outline of deliverables.

4. Stick to a schedule by proposing task deadlines that reinforce project completion.

5. Determine risk assessment so that these risks can be prevented.

6. Promote accountability with a clear chart of team member roles and responsibilities.

SEED Business Model Canvas (BMC)

(see template below)

Your SEED Business Model Canvas (BMC) very specifically integrates people, planet, and profit (the TBL/3BL) into more than the Value Proposition, where you describe the holistic value offered to customers and society.

Note that Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Future has offered hands-on training on integrating the TBL/3BL at each traditional consideration. Here’s where you can make a difference in the SEED BMC:

Value Proposition:

➢     Economic Value: How the product/service creates financial value for the customer and the company.

➢     Social Value: The social benefits of the product/service, such as contributing to community development, promoting fair trade, or enhancing customer well-being.

➢     Environmental Value: The environmental benefits, such as using sustainable materials, reducing carbon footprint, or offering eco-friendly products.

Customer Segments: Addressing segments that are conscious about sustainability and ethical considerations. Customers who prioritize companies with strong TBL/3BL commitments.

Customer Relationships: Building and maintaining relationships through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and sustainable practices that resonate with customers' values.

Channels: Using sustainable distribution methods and eco-friendly packaging to reach customers.

Key Activities: Implementing sustainable practices in production, operations, and logistics. Activities that enhance social and environmental well-being.

Key Resources: Utilizing renewable resources, sustainable raw materials, and technologies that support the TBL/3BL approach.

Key Partnerships: Partnering with suppliers and organizations that adhere to sustainable practices and ethical standards.

Cost Structure: Reflecting investments in sustainable materials, ethical labor practices, and environmentally friendly technologies. Balancing cost efficiency with TBL/3BL commitments.

Revenue Streams: Generating income from products/services that offer social and environmental benefits, appealing to customers willing to pay a premium for sustainable options.

The SEED Checklist
for Getting to Market

(see template below)

The successful planning, execution, and growth of a business or project requires that the business is well-informed about its environment, capable of growing efficiently, impactful in its operations, and compliant with necessary regulations and standards.

1. Market analysis involves researching and understanding the dynamics of the market, including customer needs, market size, competition, and market trends so that you can make informed business decisions, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks. Be sure that you can identify target markets and market trends and regularly verify your competitive analysis, customer segmentation, and SWOT analysis.

2. Scaling refers to the process of expanding a business or project to accommodate growth, which can involve increasing production capacity, entering new markets, and/or enhancing operational capabilities so that you can increase revenue and market share while maintaining or improving efficiency. Be sure that you understand the scalability of the business model and your technology, your resource allocation, and your infrastructure.

3. Measuring impact involves assessing the effects and outcomes of your project, initiative, or business activity, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to evaluate the effectiveness and value of interventions, guide decision-making, and demonstrate accountability. The key performance indicators (KPIs), return on investment (ROI), social impact assessments, and outcome evaluation are common methods you can use to measure impact.

4. Regulatory compliance ensures that a company adheres to laws, regulations, guidelines, and specifications relevant to its business operations. Standards refer to established norms and benchmarks within an industry. The multiple goals here are to avoid legal penalties, protect the company’s reputation, ensure quality and safety, and build customer trust, for example, through compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR), industry-specific standards (e.g., ISO certifications), and adherence to financial reporting standards.