Consulting 2.0: Markers only

September 27, 2012

The traditional consulting business model is obsolete.

Who says this? Patrick van der Pijl. He is the managing director of Business Models Inc., supporting and advising (inter)national companies in developing new business model strategies by uncovering the strengths and weaknesses of their existing business models and initiating a process of business model innovation.

The traditional consulting business model is outdated. Clients no longer want expert-based advice. They don't want boring reports. What they want is self-service, team-developed solutions, and inspiration. Business Models Inc. – an international strategy agency – works exclusively with markers to achieve this.

We use these markers to visualize innovations and as a tool for visual process guidance or orientation, in short, for 'graphic facilitation'. Let me give you insights into my visual journey and show you how these markers have enriched my life.

A visual book:

Business Model Generation: The world is changing. The credit crisis, the internet, and above all, people themselves. Consequently, business models are also undergoing transformation. In 2008, I realized that companies needed a new language to understand and develop innovative business models. During my business model analyses, I came across the work of Alex Osterwalder online. A simple tool consisting of nine building blocks. I decided to invite Alex to a workshop in Amsterdam. After the workshop, I wanted to know how we could all benefit from his work as a thought leader in the field of business process modeling. The answer eventually came in the publication of a book on business modeling in collaboration with Alex and Yves Pigneur. However, it used a different business model. We self-published the book in November 2009. When Alan Smith joined our team, the rules of the game for business books were rewritten: a masterpiece of modern design. The design and content were accordingly appreciated and recognized. The book, currently being translated into 23 languages, has already sold over 230,000 copies and was voted 'Management Book of the Year' in Germany. Facilitation today is consulting yesterday…

This book was just the first step on my visual journey. I wanted more. I realized that companies have neither the time nor the inclination to read the usual reports from their consultants. Companies want speed, inspiration, and new ways of working. In my role as producer of the book, I explored in 2008 how visualization could best meet the needs of today's customers. While attending the VizThink Conference in Berlin in 2008, I met David Sibbet, founder and CEO of Grove. He paved the way for me into the world of graphic facilitation.

Wow!

Imagine, David showed me how to draw! I could hardly believe I, as a consultant, could do something like that. He showed me how to create simple graphics, how to use flipcharts effectively, and how to lead visual teams. For me, this was the new path to take. It allowed me to support workgroups in creative sessions and develop new business models. Graphic facilitation has become standard practice in our company. Visual language is a universal language that reaches and inspires people around the globe. We support clients worldwide, from Japan and Spain to the United States, from startups like Layar to corporations and companies like Fujitsu, Mars, and Microsoft.