Our focus this week was on ‘Unfair Advantage’ and ‘Unique Value Proposition’ of the Lean Business Model Canvas. We were introduced to the concepts of entrepreneur and intrapreneur, illustrated with the example of Virgil Abloh.  particularly admire his brand “Off-White,” with the Nike crossover sneakers being my absolute favorite.

This was my first exposure to the term ‘intrapreneur,’ and it challenged my prior belief that a person could excel as either an entrepreneur or an intrapreneur, but not both.

One element that struck me was the introduction of the Value Net Framework. It was a thought-provoking moment when Ranjit suggested that no company could excel in all three aspects of the framework: Product Leadership, Operational Excellence, and Customer Intimacy. Initially, I wanted to challenge this theory, but as I attempted to find a counter-example, I found myself agreeing more with Ranjit’s perspective.

A quote from Joann Rupert resonated with me – “You are either a disrupter or disrupted,” a sentiment I strongly concur with, as I’d much rather be the former than the latter.

The lecture also differentiated between ‘innovation’ and ‘invention.’ I had previously used these terms interchangeably, not fully appreciating their distinct meanings. The dissection of these concepts was enlightening, and it made me reflect on the importance of innovation in the context of my venture.
The introduction to the innovation matrix and the concept of managing innovation streams was another thought-provoking segment. It stimulated me to consider how I could apply these concepts to my current venture, prompting a deeper analysis of our innovation strategies and potential areas for improvement.

Regarding my venture’s unique value proposition and unfair advantage, I plan to merge Cantonese opera with another art form that resonates with modern audiences. I aim to create something that these audiences will find delightful and entertaining!