150 VIsuaL thInKIng desIgn 150 A set of Post-it™ notes is an indispensable tool that everyone refl ecting on business models should keep handy. Post-it™ notes function like idea containers that can be added, removed, and easily shifted between business model building blocks. This is important because during business model discussions, people frequently do not immediately agree on which elements should appear in a Business Model Canvas or where they should be placed. During exploratory discussions, some elements might be removed and replaced multiple times to explore new ideas. Here are three simple guidelines: (1) use thick marking pens, (2) write only one element per Post-it™ note, and (3) write only a few words per note to capture the essential point. Using thick markers is more than a detail: it prevents you from putting too much informa- tion on a single Post-it™, and makes for easier reading and overview. Keep in mind, too, that the discussion leading to the fi nal business model picture created by all the Post-it™ notes is just as important as the outcome. Discussion around which notes to place on or remove from the Canvas and debate over how one element infl uences others give participants a deep understanding of the business model and its dynamics. Consequently, a Post-it™ note becomes more than just a piece of sticky paper represent- ing a business model building block; it becomes a vector for strategic discussion. Visualizing with Post-it ™ notes bmgen_final.indd 150 6/15/10 5:40 PM