Rob Ryan developed the sunflower Model when codifying the key elements of Ascend’s success. Rob has since applied the Sunflower Model with each of his entrepreneurial ventures and attributes their success to its use and application. The Sunflower is a perfect metaphor as the large seed-centre core of the Sunflower is representative of core competencies, the innumerable petals of the Sunflower are representative of revenue channels, and the stem of the Sunflower is representative of the driving forces (Positive and negative influences/forces in the market). The Sunflower Model has seven key steps: 1) Driling Down to your core Competencies; 2) Building your revenue Petals; 2) Critical Decision Making Amongst the Revenue Petals Using Matrix Modelling; 4) A revenue Petal Walkabout; 5) Refining your Decision Matrix; 6) Building a Suffocation Strategy; and 7) Goals and Execution fo a Successful Transformational Company. The Sunflower Model and Process is a critical tool and process applied by Rob Ryan to develop transformational Hero companies.Mr. Ryan is currently developing an AI deep learning model of Sunflower process to empower entrepreneurs.

Drilling Down to your Core Competencies: Core Competencies are those things that you or your company do well and further differentiate you in the market place. Core Competencies can include technology and engineering skill sets, intellectual property, brand, personnel databases, algorithms, network relationships, etc. These Core Competencies are Metaphorically the prime numbers of the irreducible; they should be unique, can be leveraged and prove a value to the customer. Core competencies fall into three categories: the obvious, the hidden and the missing. It is imperative to know your Core Competencies.

Drilling Down to your Core Competencies: Core Competencies are those things that you or your company do well and further differentiate you in the market place. Core Competencies can include technology and engineering skill sets, intellectual property, brand, personnel databases, algorithms, network relationships, etc. These Core Competencies are Metaphorically the prime numbers of the irreducible; they should be unique, can be leveraged and prove a value to the customer. Core competencies fall into three categories: the obvious, the hidden and the missing. It is imperative to know your Core Competencies.

Critical Decision Marking Amongst the Revenue Petals Using Matrix Modelling: The Sunflower Model helps to build alignment and qualify your Revenue Petals using matrix model.

A Revenue Petal Walkabout: Management walkabouts to customers are a valued part of the Sunflower Model, which helps to access and validate the outcomes of the process, including, but not limited to, verification of criteria, pain points and competitive dynamics.

Refining your Decision Matrix: Following the Revenue Petal Walkabout, a refinement process is undertaken.

Building a Suffocation Strategy: The process of a deliberate application of the Sunflower Model in the company, and the real competition, helps to inform the company of a ‘suffocation’ strategy to dominate the market.

Goals and Execution for a Successful Transformational Company: Strategy informs goals and lays the foundation for a tactical execution.

Then Sunflower Model uniquely drives innovation, alignment and strategy. The Model informs the entrepreneur in critical product innovations and strategies to dominate in the marketplace.