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beginner business 4 weeks

Entrepreneurship & Business Model Canvas

D
Dzaleka Online Services
• November 22, 2025
Table of Contents

Course Overview

This course is based on the Zantchito Training Manual on Entrepreneurship and Canvas Business Development. It is designed to transform “job seekers” into “job creators” by equipping you with the mindset and tools to start and grow a successful business in Malawi.

You will learn how to identify business opportunities, assess your own entrepreneurial qualities, and use the Business Model Canvas (BMC) to map out your entire business strategy on a single page.

By the end of this course, you will:

  • Develop a strong entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Identify your personal strengths and areas for growth.
  • Understand the 9 building blocks of the Business Model Canvas.
  • Create a complete business model for your own idea.
  • Learn the basics of financial planning and resource mobilization.

Table of Contents

Module 1: The Entrepreneurial Mindset

1.1 What is Entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business; it’s a mindset. It’s about identifying problems and turning them into opportunities that create value.

  • Job Seeker vs. Job Creator: Shifting your perspective from waiting for employment to creating employment.

1.2 Characteristics of an Entrepreneur

Successful entrepreneurs share certain traits. We will assess where you stand on these:

  • Opportunity Seeking: Seeing chances where others see problems.
  • Persistence: Not giving up when things get tough.
  • Risk Taking: Taking calculated risks, not gambling.
  • Goal Setting: Having a clear vision of where you want to go.
  • Self-Confidence: Believing in your ability to succeed.

Activity: Complete the “Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PEC)” self-assessment.

Module 2: Generating Business Ideas

2.1 Sources of Business Ideas

Where do good ideas come from?

  • Problems: What frustrates people in your community?
  • Needs: What basic needs are not being met?
  • Trends: What is changing in technology or society?
  • Skills: What are you good at that others will pay for?

2.2 Screening Your Ideas

Not every idea is a good business opportunity. We will use a screening matrix to test your ideas against:

  • Market demand (Do people want it?)
  • Technical feasibility (Can you make it?)
  • Financial viability (Can it make money?)

Module 3: The Business Model Canvas (BMC)

The core of this course. The BMC is a strategic management template for developing new business models. It has 9 building blocks:

3.1 Customer Segments

Who are you creating value for? Who are your most important customers? (e.g., Mass market, Niche market).

3.2 Value Propositions

What value do you deliver to the customer? Which one of our customer’s problems are we helping to solve? (e.g., Newness, Performance, Customization, Price).

3.3 Channels

Through which channels do your customer segments want to be reached? How are we reaching them now? (e.g., Social media, Physical store, Wholesalers).

3.4 Customer Relationships

What type of relationship does each of our customer segments expect us to establish and maintain with them? (e.g., Personal assistance, Self-service, Communities).

3.5 Revenue Streams

For what value are our customers really willing to pay? How are they currently paying? (e.g., Asset sale, Usage fee, Subscription fees).

3.6 Key Resources

What key resources do our Value Propositions require? (e.g., Physical, Intellectual, Human, Financial).

3.7 Key Activities

What key activities do our Value Propositions require? (e.g., Production, Problem solving, Platform/Network).

3.8 Key Partnerships

Who are our key partners? Who are our key suppliers? (e.g., Strategic alliances, Coopetition, Joint ventures).

3.9 Cost Structure

What are the most important costs inherent in our business model? (e.g., Fixed costs, Variable costs).

Project: You will fill out a blank Business Model Canvas for your chosen business idea.

Module 4: Financial Basics & Planning

4.1 Startup Costs

Calculating how much money you need to start.

  • Capital Expenditure (CAPEX): Equipment, machinery, furniture.
  • Operating Expenditure (OPEX): Rent, salaries, raw materials.

4.2 Pricing Your Product

How to set a price that covers your costs and makes a profit.

  • Cost-Plus Pricing: Cost + Profit Margin = Price.
  • Competitor Pricing: Pricing based on what others charge.

4.3 Record Keeping

The importance of keeping track of money coming in and going out. Simple bookkeeping for small businesses.

Module 5: Launching Your Business

Brief overview of registering your business (refer to the MBRS course).

5.2 Action Plan

Creating a step-by-step plan for the next 3 months.

  • What do you need to do first?
  • Who is responsible?
  • When will it be done?

Resources

Official Manual

Tools

Support

Conclusion

Entrepreneurship is a journey. By completing this course and filling out your Business Model Canvas, you have taken the first major step. Now it is time to take action. Start small, think big, and keep learning.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”