Hasanuddin University Agribusiness Study Program held a virtual guest lecture on business model innovation presented by Prof. B. Nishantha from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. As a lecturer in entrepreneurship and business management, Prof. Nishantha gave students new insights into the importance of business models in the creation, delivery and capture of business value. The lecture was held on March 7 and 14, 2024.

In his lecture, Prof. Nishantha emphasized that an effective business model is critical for business success. She explained that a business can have multiple models based on the market they serve and the importance of adapting business models to social and environmental changes. The ability to adapt business models to social and environmental changes is key to maintaining business relevance and sustainability.

Prof. Nishantha also discussed the Business Model Canvas, a tool that helps describe, design and manage business models. He outlined the nine dimensions of the Business Model Canvas, with special emphasis on the second dimension, the value proposition. According to him, the value proposition is the core of the business model. In the context of agricultural products, it is important to identify customer pain points and offer relevant solutions through new products.

In addition to explaining the theory in business modeling, Prof. Nishantha also introduced the Grameen Bank business concept to the students, which is a non-profit microfinance initiative started in Bangladesh by Professor Muhammad Yunus. Grameen Bank aims to provide financial access to the underprivileged through innovative microfinance services. Initiatives like Grameen Bank show how a good business model can have a big positive impact on society.

Through this guest lecture, the Unhas Agribusiness Study Program hopes to provide inspiration and useful knowledge for students, especially in developing their business skills. This guest lecture is also expected to encourage students to think globally, especially in facing future business challenges, and understand the importance of adaptive and sustainable business models through examples from various business models in the world.