Freemium Business Model

Prepare for our class discussion on 08/03/2007:
Freemium

1. What is the model?
2. How does 'free' in fact generate revenue?
3. OTHER than the companies listed in the post, give 2 exmaples of online businesses that are successfully using this model. Please provide links.
4. Be sure to research and read an article in addition to the VC post.

Please post in your blog by 07/03.

Economics of Uniqueness - Long Tail Book Launch

Web2.0 in under 5 minutes - excellent video

Class 24/02 - Preparation for Discussion

We will take a look at www.vente-privee.com/ - a really innovative business model. Please prepare for class:

1. a description of their business model

2. how does the model benefit

-customers

-luxury suppliers

-the company

3. Who are the target customers, how do you know?

4. research, read and link to an article on the company

5. what additional business opportunities do you see?

Post your thoughts on your blog..feel free to develop a PPT or presentation to express you point of view.

If you are not already a member, you will need an invitation...please email me and I'll send one.

MBA Course Work

As per our first class, the following are the requirements for the course:

1. Your blog is the location for all of your coursework.

2. Each week - post a commentary on an article that you have read, from your selected online source. The posting should include a link to the original article. It is not necessary to copy the article on your blog. The choice of article should progress your business knowledge. The weekly posting should be online each Saturday.

3. There will be an assigned reading with discussion questions in preparation for each class. The readings will be linked in this blog. Responses to the discussion questions should be posted in your blog by Thursday, prior to the class.

4. The grade for this class is based upon:

-33% Blog postings - analytical, high quality, on-time

-33% Pop Quiz (2) + Final Exam

-33% Contribution to the body of knowledge

5. How to Contribute to the body of knowledge

- Initiate cross blog discussion with other participants

- Post and bring to class discussions NEW business model examples - different from those

covered in the class

- Create and share a resource center via links in your blog

-Use podcasts, stream video and other advanced media in your blog

-Do an in-class presentation on a new business, new medium or new concept

-Post and share in class progressive online collaboration tools

Simply doing the required class work, participating in class discussion is basic for an MBA and will not count as "contribution".

Reading for 10/02 Class

Please read the linked article from Wired Magazine - "The Long Tail". This highly successful E-Commerce business model is counter-intuitive to offline retail concepts.

Research for discussion in class:

1. Research online and locate companies, in addition to those in the article, using "Long Tail" business model (hint: there is a Long Tail blog)

2. Prepare to give a brief on a company that you have selected...how are they using the concpet + what revenue/profit impact has it made.

3. Post the brief in your blog, with a link to the business you have selected.

I look forward to a lively discussion when we next meet.