Activity

Identify the Problem, Solution, and Customer Segments of Existing Companies

In this activity, you will understand the basic Business Model blocks of different companies. This includes the
problem these companies address, the solution they offer, and their primary customer segment.

Instructions:

1- Regroup into the same groups of five that you formed earlier.
2- For each company listed below, describe the:
a. primary problem they are solving
b. solution they are offering
c. primary customer segment
Foundational Course in Entrepreneurship

Note: Identifying the customer segment of each company is a two-fold process. At a broad
level, you need to identify if a company sells to other businesses (B2B), to consumers (B2C), or
both. In some companies, customers sell to other customers (C2C), or peers sell to peers (P2P).
Next; you need to narrow down the characteristics of the company’s prototypical customer.
3. You will get 30 minutes to complete this activity.

Activity:

Company Craigslist

Problem Identified Classified Advertisements

Solution Offered Easy Access Forums

Customer Segment Online buyers and sellers

Identified

Company Lush

Problem Identified Product testing on animals

Solution Offered Supports sea shepherds, a group that works to protect whales and seals
to combat animal testing.
Customer Segment Teenagers, Models, Make-up stylists, and young adult women (18-45
Identified years old)

Business Model
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 Activity
Identify the Problem, Solution, and Customer Segments of Existing Companies

Company Red Mango

Problem Identified Couldn’t compete in the market properly and effectively.

Solution Offered Creates multiple stores

Customer Segment People who seeks for healthy lifestyle and diet
Identified
Foundational Course in Entrepreneurship

Company Cisco

Problem Identified Network Traffic

Solution Offered Create router devices that provide common fabric functionality and
command line interface.
Customer Segment Network Companies and Information and Technology Enterprises
Identified

Company LinkedIn

Problem Identified Professional Networking and Job Searching Platforms

Solution Offered Offers job searching and uses user’s contact details to find opportunities

Customer Segment Businessmen, Employees, Employers, Students, and Opportunity Seekers

Identified

Business Model
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© Wadhwani Foundation For Students’ Use
www.nen.org V01