This could be the second most important question you ever ask about your business. Here”s how to answer it. One enduring change in the management lexicon brought about by the dot-com revolution was the term business model — how a company makes money.1 The concept had been in existence for decades, but the competition between “old” and “new” economy companies, with very different business models, helped to demonstrate its importance as a way of thinking about the basic choices companies make when it comes to their sources of revenue, their cost structure and their make-or-buy options. , an innovator in Web-based TV operated by Joost Technologies B.V. of the Netherlands. But genuinely new business models are hard to come by, and they aren’t as easily defended as they once were because competitors have become more adept at responding to such innovations quickly. Companies are therefore on the lookout for new forms of competitive advantage, sources of distinctiveness that are enduring, hard to copy and valuable in the marketplace.
One emerging and intriguing possibility is the idea that a company’s management model can become a source of advantage.2 In fact, asking “What is your management model?” may end up being as important as asking “What business are you really in?” — the most fundamental question there is in the corporate world. That question, of course, is how most business leaders (correctly) paraphrase Peter Drucker’s analysis of a company’s business model. Drucker wrote that the “theory of the business” has three parts: assumptions about the environment of the organization, the specific mission of the organization and the core competencies needed to accomplish the organization’s mission.There have been many studies of business models and business model innovation over the last decade. See, for example, R. Amit and C. Zott, “Value Creation in E-Business,”You’re about to have a new little human move in with you and you’re clueless as to what they need. You’ve got the general idea that they have basic needs that you need to meet like food, cleaning and sleep, but with so many products available, walking into a baby store is not helpful.
In fact, it renders you helpless! It’s a bit like going to IKEA and leaving with yet another pack of tea light candles and losing two hours of your life that you’ll never get back. Well, we’re here to help. Navigate through the minefield of baby consumerism with our handy checklist of items, and target what you really need with less cash and in less time.Here is Part 2 of our series on Baby Essentials: FeedingNursing bras/tops If you decide to breastfeed, this will impact your wardrobe choices each day. Tops with straps make easy access for baby to get to the boob. There are some great singlet tops around with inbuilt bra shelves that are handy for this. If you’re out and about though, you may want more modesty. Get a nursing bra that unclips and pop baby under your shirt. It can get hot under there, so if you’re feeding outside you can invest in a cover like the sort from Pupsik Studio. These allow you to see what’s going on too to make latching easier. Pupsik StudioHigh chair Secure, sturdy and easy to clean – these are the top three priorities when buying a high chair.
Whether you go high-end and stylish with a Stokke or budget and easy on the eye with IKEA, we only advise that you make sure your kids can’t topple it and that there’s no fabric involved. Remember, they will be using this well into their third year. Check that you can get it right up to your dining table or that it has a detachable tray. IKEABreast pump All new mums face a certain degree of frustration in the first few weeks or months when it comes to milk supply. Whether you have too much or not enough, a breast pump can help. Look for an electric pump that simulates a baby’s sucking action: light and fast at first to stimulate flow, then slower and deeper once the let-down begins. Also, think about where you will be – work, travel, and the need to be hands-free are all factors that will affect your choice. Try: Innosense breast pumps from Mothercare; MedelaMilk bottles Whether for formula or expressed milk, the process of finding a suitable milk bottle might take a bit of trial and error.
Most babies suffer some degree of wind-related discomfort so look for bottles that are designed to reduce the amount of air a baby will intake when drinking. Drinking from a bottle might be met with resistance so try different teats until you discover what mimics the breast in the best way for your baby. Try: Innosense from Mothercare; Dr Browns Steriliser Whether you decide to sterilise for six months or 12, you will need a steriliser initially to keep bottles and breastfeeding equipment thoroughly hygienic. There are many different kinds on the market so think about how much equipment needs to go in there, how many times a day you may use it and whether you’re on the move. Babies who are bottle-fed need at least six bottles a day so you may decide to sterilise everything at night or use fewer bottles and do it a couple of times a day with a digital or electric unit. Digital versions allow you to maintain sterilisation for several hours. Cold water sterilisers are handy for travel.
Microwave sterilisers are quick to use and provide instant hygiene. Try: Innosense from Mothercare; Phillips AventBibs It’s no secret that babies sometimes bring up milk for a second showing. You can buy burp cloths, but why not go straight for a bib? You can use these on your shoulder, on your baby, and then you also have them ready once the weaning process begins. We like the big square shaped ones at Cotton On that cover more surface area and are quite thick. Baby Bjorn make a hard-form plastic version that is great for wiping clean (no washing) and catching food with the built in scoop. It doesn’t pack down for travelling though. Try: Cotton On Kids; Baby BjornBaby food storage and implements You’ll discover the joy of messy meals around six months. Once weaning starts you or your helper will be pureeing regularly. The most efficient way to do this is make different food combinations in batches and freeze small portions in ice-block trays. Once frozen you can pop them out into labelled freezer bags and re-use the ice trays for another batch.
We like a rubber/silicone type mould as it makes popping out the food quite easy but you can use regular ice trays too. Use weaning spoons suitable for soft baby gums and non-slip bowls so you won’t have to clean quite so much food off the floor. PigeonBaby seat Use an infant seat to help your baby sit up securely while you feed him/her if they’re too little for a high chair. Bumbo seats can help develop good posture, and encourage babies to engage with their surroundings, but it’s not ideal to keep your baby upright in one of these for long periods of time – these are best for babies aged three months old and above. Try: BumboHealthy snacks/ready-made meals Make weaning food easily with an all in one mixer and steamer. You can of course use a double saucepan steamer set-up if you don’t want to fork out, but we found the Beaba Babycook particularly good to travel with. You need only chop your vegetables, fruit and meat! Beaba Baby CookSolutions for wind and colic If your baby is suffering from wind or colic, check in with the paediatrician for remedies.