Training Manuel on Introduction to Business Models

Girma Kassie, Boubaker Dhehibi, Woinishet Asnake, Hamza El Baraka, Asma Mahfoudhi, Mohamed El Azhari. (20/7/2026). Training Manuel on Introduction to Business Models.

Abstract

This training manual is designed to introduce business models to young male and female potential entrepreneurs in rural Morocco and Tunisia. Key components of micro and medium scale business models are included in the manual. The manual introduces what a business Model is, the four building blocks of a business model, presents a case study, and summarizes practical challenges and sensitivity analysis in business models. In addition to rural youth, the manual can be used to train different groups of farmers or rural actors in Morocco, Tunisia, and similar contexts. We designed the training manual and associated materials around the working outline: “Your Idea, Your Plan, Your Profit.” We believe that young entrepreneurs need to appreciate the power of ideas, the purpose of planning, and the satisfaction that profit guarantees. The training draws on the Business Model Canvas framework, simplified and adapted for smallholder crops and livestock farming settings. All examples use sheep fattening as the primary case study because it is widely practiced, requires modest capital, and demonstrates all four building blocks of a business model clearly. Facilitators are encouraged to substitute goats, cereals, vegetables, dairy, or any other locally relevant enterprise in case sheep fattening is an unlikely enterprise.