Business Models define how a business is going to make money and remain sustainable. They determine the scalablility and success of a business. A business model that works with one team may not necessarily work with another team. A business model should not only work for the industry and team to implement it but also for the different customer groups for it to be successful. If the different aspects of the business model are not in sync then the model will not give optimal returns. Often businesses, especially if they are transforming industry i.e.disruptive, will need tweaking several times before optimal performance is achieved...
After Dela leaves Elan explains
the situation to James. With the different businesses Elan runs, her senior
management have learn to be very conservative of their time just as Elan is. Work
life balance has been a priority in the company since from the onset when the
company was setup, Elan’s key staff were single heads of families or had little
children (often desperate to take a job that was flexible to allow them care
for others). Naturally the company’s growth strategy focused on the use of
technology and highly qualified freelance staff and multi skilled full-time
staff to bring it all together. This meant a lot more was done on typical day
as different people worked round the clock from around the world. This resulted
in great efficiency. Face to face time was gold. Meetings were short precise to
the point and no one lingered to make small talk. If time was a gold ring,
family time was the diamond on it. Business is fast at Elan Group because they
operate in highly competitive creative industries, use technology and the team
has a lot at stake both in their personal lives careers.
Elan, ‘OK, so where were we? Yes,
first we are suspecting there is someone who is spying on us. Not sure it
should be a reason for concern so I wanted you to pull out the security files from
yesterday so Dela can point out the person or vehicle for us. Can we do that
tomorrow?’
James, ‘We can do it right now.
You can monitor your whole business from your computer or tablet. We may have a
few glitches but --’
Elan, ‘What?! E-Eye is working?
My! 4 months from concept to production - that is great! Show me ... but Dela is
gone how will we recognize the person?’
James, ‘We can just check the
vans on the street. Don’t think it will be difficult to pick it. I have all the
cameras, computers, anything computerized in the system connected to my laptop
and your computer and tablet. Only Abuja office and house are not connected yet.’
Elan, ‘Hmmm, OK. Well, Dela
arrived to the party around 8.30 am but they had been there for a while when she
came she said she found the van there and it left just before she entered the
gate. It should be somewhere near the compound so you should be able to see that from the flood light camera near the
street’
James, ‘Well so we check from a
few minutes before 8.30 and go back …’
James opens his computer and
starts checking as Elan toys with her tablet. A few seconds later he points at
his laptop. ‘Oh that was easy. Here it is – on the street.’
Elan looks then nodes and lets
him check some more. The food and drinks are brought and they eat as Elan goes
on looking at the new software while James gets the information. After a few
minutes, he announces his findings.
James, ‘A guy came in the vehicle
at 8.30 in the morning and was joined by 4 other at different times. I think
they were taking pictures of your guests using hidden cameras in their watches
or shades, see how they are ’helping ’ your guests park and trying to have one on one conversations?’
Elan, ‘hmmm, interesting. I know
no one was assigned to help with parking, Al would have talked to you.’
James, ‘Well then, think I will
have something to investigate, will get a guy or two from The Team to do background
checks, you mentioned Dela first saw one of the guys here?’
Elan, ‘Yes at the parking lot.’
James, ‘OK then, think I have my
work cut out. There’s something I also wanted to ask you.’
Elan, ‘Yes?’
James, ‘Why did you decide you
will not be working anymore? I thought with all the new software we are
developing you would want to ensure everything is going well. The information
is also sensitive so you’d would want to be personally involved?’
Elan, ‘What do you mean? I am on
leave I will be coming back, I honestly don’t think I can stay away from work for more than a month!’
James, (frowning) ‘Oh, Mr. Hammad
said you are not coming back, so unlike what we agreed with you - that heads of
your departments upload the reports for you to review, we are now reporting
directly to him – he instructed me to redirect all your files and reporting
systems to him.’
Elan, ‘What! You are not serious’
James, ‘You did not know? I am
sorry I thought the instructions were from you’
Elan is so surprised. It she
remembers the awkward call from Dela while she was in hospital. Then shehad
wanted to see her immediately but for some reason had kept postponing
their meeting till today and she did not
discuss this. Had Al stopped her – or possibly threatened her?
James, ‘Any reason for concern?’
James’ touch to draw her
attention gets her back to the present - her mind had wandered off. ‘You know how it is, always check. I hate
to do this but I suppose one can never be too sure. Is he aware of ’E-Eye? ’
James, ‘I am giving him a
briefing tomorrow on the security and IT department. The team meets him from
10.00 am I suppose given that you need to cross check, it will be wise to only
report what is done at security and IT and not my work on E-Eye or The Team?’
Elan, ‘That’s right. Actually
separate the two completely. Such a system in the wrong hands can cause a lot of
trouble. And we are so close to closing the deal, I do not want any greed about
it.’
James, ‘We all have put in so
much sweat. Until I started working with you I only thought criminal projects
were fun, you know hacking here and there. I and The Team have truly made good
use of our knowledge. I am amazed at how you came up with it.’
Elan, ‘Hmmm! It is nice to know
you appreciate. Business is about meeting the needs of your target clientele in
a profitable way. There are gaps and needs in the market that we see each day,
but it takes time and hard work to come up with business models that are worth your
time and investment. This is the first of many projects. I just never had the
right team to implement it earlier and probably the market was also not ready. Let’s
test it this month, we still have 2 weeks. I will also schedule a meeting with
Ariate Airlines. We can work on the glitches as we continue to tailor it
specifically for the airline industry. Given I don’t know Al’s intention, I
would suggest you no longer use any of The Team for part time work at Elan;
they are too expensive for routine work. I would suggest you look for extra
hands for your department within its budget and get The Team to work full time
on new projects. I will just think around what the next project will be and get
back to you in a week.’
James, ‘Perfect. It is always
nice to keep them busy. They are no longer hustling for money but --’
Elan’s eyes light up as they do
each time she is about to start a new
project. ‘So it is time I had the session with them?’
James, ‘Not a bad idea.’
Elan, ‘OK in a week’s time. Will
decide on which project. But make sure we address any glitches the system has.
I don’t want any products or services coming back. And arrange to have Abuja in
the loop by month end’
James, ‘Mark is working on it
right now. I test on Monday’
Elan, ‘Beautiful, you are
efficient.’
James, ‘I learned from the best.’
The skies are now overcast. With
her guests due to arrive in a few hours for dinner, they stand to leave and say
goodbye at the entrance. The beautiful weather earlier has now changed to a
gloomy almost dark evening. As Elan steps out a light shower starts. She dashes
to her car and once inside takes a moment to clean her shades and arrange her
hair. She is about to leave when she notices two guys in the parking lot get
into a van that she saw in the video. James does the same and makes a call to
Elan who is now driving out. They drive out one after the other. The guys in
the shadows drive out after them.
James, ‘You saw them?’
Elan, ‘Yes.’
James, ‘I will drive behind you.
I have notified The team’
Elan, ‘Is it necessary?’
James, ‘We do not know what they
want. Till we do it is better to be careful than sorry. Don’t disconnect your phone’
Elan, ‘Very well.’
The vehicle continues following
them. At the highway, James decides to change tactic.
James, ‘Can we just split routes
and see exactly who they are following? If they follow me should be that they are
still collecting data on people around you, if they follow you then it could be
necessary to raise alarm with the police’
Elan, ‘Very well’
The two vehicles split ways. The
intruders follow James. He drives straight to a club.
James, ‘They are with me. Have
you got home?’
Elan, ‘Yes Saeed is closing the
gate. No one followed me’
SEE YOU TOMORROW
