Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Designing a gender-sensitive, climate-responsive enterprise: Parameters to be consider

A successful business model requires planning and an appropriate strategy that can connect the available resources, value proposition and addition, and marketing and sales strategies. When you are building gender-sensitive and climate-responsive enterprises, you must take into account additional parameters such as inclusivity, which allows all members of an organisation to participate fully in its running irrespective of their positions and functions.

Such an enterprise also needs to consider its growth proposition carefully. A climate-responsive enterprise’s aims are:

  • to grow without harming the environment, and
  • to provide opportunities to more people (particularly women) rather than profiting only a few.

A community enterprise needs to build a network of smaller enterprises that each take responsibility for the various aspects of a large enterprise, from sourcing material to marketing and sales.

When you are developing a business model, you must consider all the following parameters and ensure that they are aligned with each other. However, a business model should be flexible enough to adapt to changes in both the market and the enterprise’s environment (i.e., infrastructure, transportation, etc.).

  • Value proposition: What value does the enterprise offer to its customers?
  • Customer segments: Who are the company’s customers?
  • Channels: How does the company reach its customers?
  • Customer relationships: What kind of relationships does the company have with its customers?
  • Revenue streams: How does the company generate revenue?
  • Key resources: What resources are essential for the company to operate?
  • Key activities: What activities must the company perform to deliver its value proposition?
  • Key partnerships: Who are the company’s key partners?
  • Cost structure: What are the company’s costs, from resources (including human resources) to processing to sales?

To develop a business model for a gender-sensitive, climate-responsive livelihood with sustainable growth, you could follow steps 1–7, below:

1   Identify a gender-sensitive, climate-responsive need or problem by considering the following:

i What are the specific needs of women and men in your community?

ii What climate risks are they facing?

iii What are the opportunities for businesses to address these needs and risks?

2   Develop a product or service that meets the need or solves the problem. When you are developing your product or service, be sure to consider the following:

i Gender-sensitivity: Is your product or service accessible to and affordable for women? Does it meet the specific needs of women? Does it promote gender equality?

ii Climate-responsiveness: Is your product or service resilient to the impacts of climate change? Does it help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or promote adaptations to deal with the challenges of climate change?

iii Sustainable growth: Is your business model sustainable in the long term? Do you have a plan to grow your business without harming the environment or the community?

3   Identify your target market and develop a marketing strategy:

i Who are your ideal customers?

ii What are their needs and wants?

iii How will you reach them and convince them to buy your product or service?

4   Develop an operations plan:

i How will you produce and deliver your product or service?

ii What resources will you need?

iii What will your costs be?

5   Develop a financial plan:

i How much money do you need to start and run your business?

ii How will you generate revenue?

iii How will you measure your financial success?

6   Develop a management team:

i Who will be responsible for the different aspects of your business?

ii What skills and experience do they have?

7   Develop a risk management plan:

i What are the risks that your business faces?

ii How will you mitigate these risks?

 

Infographic: De, K. (2023). The basic process of developing an enterprise. SCARF/Commonwealth of Learning.

In addition, consider the following strategies:

  • Partner with other organisations: Many organisations are working to promote gender equality and climate change adaptation. Partnering with them can help you to access helpful resources, expertise and networks — and to share your own skills and expertise.
  • Use technology: Technology can be a powerful tool for promoting gender equality and climate change adaptation. Consider using it to improve your product or service, reach your target market or manage your business.
  • Be innovative: There are many new and innovative ways to address the challenges of gender inequality and climate change. Do not be afraid to think outside the box and come up with new solutions.