Future-proofing
your business model
Disruption awaits us all, whatever the nature of our
business activities or markets. For some this may be happening faster than
anticipated.
Recent years have seen an explosion of technological change
and the emergence of entire new industries, from smart cities to fintech, block
chain, augmented reality and the Internet of Things. In the face of these rapid
changes, traditional investor thinking and business models also need to change.
Previously we sought continuity, stability and consolidation in our markets and
business focus, but what is considered secure today may be highly vulnerable
tomorrow – think Nokia or Kodak. A new investor mindset is needed to expand the
concept of “pivoting” and recognise the need for agility to keep pace with
change and seize the multiple new opportunities as they arise.
As a forward-thinking entrepreneur, I believe future-proofing
one’s business requires radical and different thinking. The traditional focused
approach may hinder change and result in lost opportunities. Certainty can no
longer be assumed, and even “pivoting” is limited by simply switching from one activity
to another rather than engaging with the wider landscape. Agility does not
necessarily imply lack of focus – quite the contrary, we can be focused on
health but explore different technologies so that the sum of different parts is
a stronger, more resilient proposition.
Today the pond is more crowded and
complex; throwing a pebble into the water has limited effect. Throw several
pebbles and not only does the surface become further disrupted but also greater
interaction takes place.
Future
Care’s business model is like this pond. It enables us to throw several
disruptive initiatives into the mix, creating ripples of opportunity and
interaction. Future-proofing means we can focus on our core business and
generate ongoing revenue while at the same time collaborating with others to maximise
on new opportunities, strengthen our business case and introduce new
narratives. Concretely, if company B has a health solution using a new
technology, and we have a vision using this technology, we can team up to
create a mutually beneficial entity, exchanging equity and software licensing so
that both Future Care and company B benefit. Apply this collaborative approach
to an additional two or three other companies, and the pond becomes a much more
vibrant, exciting and disruptive place from which to launch innovation, take
advantage of opportunities as they arise and future-proof our businesses to
ensure we are always several steps ahead of the game. This illustration shows how
company B’s technology is licensed to a new company C, set up by Future Care to
take company B’s technology as a stepping-stone to developing new initiatives
that benefit both company B and C.
If we expand this to include other companies e.g. E &
D, all will benefit from the synergy of shared visions, resources and markets.
As our business model matures and evolves, it offers
investors and all stakeholders cumulative benefits.
Concrete
example of our business model
Brain
& Vision (B&V) is the first company to enter a
relationship with Future Care. It has developed two augmented reality (AR) prototypes
using HoloLens:
·
Dyslexia –
helping those with this learning disability to achieve their full potential
while in education.
·
Hard of
hearing
- enabling the hearing impaired to engage with the world of sound and convert
sound into a visual representation that they can understand and participate in.
Both initiatives have other benefits and applications
spanning different markets.
B&V’s
technology can provide Future Care with elements that can be used to develop "MADE™" – My
Augmented Data Environment and visa-versa. MADE™ has a patent pending and is a long-term initiative. At
present, MADE™ has little or no monetary
value due to the cost and limitations of the HoloLens technology. However, it
provides Future Care with a building block to ensure we are at the forefront of
this rapidly evolving area of health and wellness. It also provides us with new
opportunities. Simultaneously, we are developing the skills and understanding
of this market and have a schematic prototype so we can convincingly engage
with this growing AR opportunity and community.
To summarise, Future Care has a
market wide perspective and is actively engaged in validating market failures,
validating solutions and validating customers.
We do not follow agile methodologies; rather
our whole approach is lean, agile and proactive.
For
more information and how to invest
We welcome feedback on this or any other issue so please do
not hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, go to Future Care’s investment page if
interested in Future Care opportunities.
If you would like to have a conversation or you have any
questions then please CONTACT
US
or call us on our FREE phone number 0800
688 9194.
The Future Care (UK) Ltd is focused on medical, health and
wellness tech across the UK’s National Health Service and Social Services.
