How to Invent the Future

Interview with Alex Osterwalder, creator of Business Model Generation Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas, and co-author of several books on management science and innovation, and founder of Strategyzer

The UN Brief Weekend Edition

The UN Brief is keen on innovation and this week we interviewed Alex Osterwalder, who needs no introduction. He is a household name at innovation ecosystems around the globe. His books include Business Model Generation, Value Proposition Design, Testing Business Ideas, The Invincible Company, and High-Impact Tools for Teams. Together with his kids, he crafted Biz4Kids, a comic book to promote entrepreneurship.

I was introduced to the Business Model Generation by Marcelo Pimenta, a professor at ESPM in Sao Paulo, when he presented at Softsul, a trade body that federates software and hardware companies in the South of Brazil, during their Board of Directors review and planning session, in 2012. Have used the BMGC since, at two other companies. It is like having a crystal ball, and seeing the future unfold, a process that leads you to discover what your value proposition is and how to identify your target markets.

The method helps entrepreneurs and organizations…