Ever felt like the Business Model Canvas is a bit like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded?

You’re not alone.

At a recent upGrad MBA (Global) intensive with 21 students visiting from India for their ‘immersion week’, Professor-of-Practice Pete Williams ran a mini interactive clinic and discussed how for many small business owners, the Business Model Canvas can feel a tad overwhelming, like it’s speaking another language.

That’s where the 7 Levers Framework comes in – it’s like your local dialect, focusing squarely on what really moves the needle for revenue and profits in a small business.

So much of a typical MBA focuses on high-level strategy suitable for the big end of town, often overlooking what truly makes a difference for SMEs (the largest driver of GDP and jobs).

Pete Williams said “One of the things I love about Deakin Business School, is that we are at the forefront of this strategic shift, providing MBA students with practical tools, experience, and insights that matter at the coalface of small business. It’s about equipping the next generation of business leaders with knowledge that’s not just theoretical but genuinely applicable to the challenges and opportunities they’ll face in the real world.”