Opening
a small business without a doubt is a
large undertaking, but it is happily something that can be attained by any
person with a good idea, a strong work ethic, and a fine set of resources.
Starting a business involves thinking of a business concept, writing a business
plan, understanding the economic side, and finally marketing and launching.
DEFINE YOUR GOALS
First
of all think and question yourself, do you want financial independence,
eventually selling your business to the highest bidder? Do you want something
small and sustainable, that you love doing and from which you want to gain a
steady income? These are the things that are good to know very early on.
CHOOSE AN IDEA
It
might be a product you've always wanted to make, or a service you feel people
need. It might even be something people don't know they need yet, because it
hasn't been invented! It can be helpful to
have people who are bright and creative join you for a casual brain storming session. Start with a simple question
like: "What shall we do?" The idea is not to create a business plan,
just to generate potential ideas. Many of the ideas will be duds, and there
will be quite a few ordinary ones, but a few may emerge that have real
potential. Consider your talents, experience, and knowledge when selecting a
concept. If you have a particular skill set or talent, consider how these
resources can be applied to meeting some sort of market demand. Combining skill
and knowledge with a market demand increases your odds of having a successful
business idea. For example, you may have worked with electronics as an employee
for many years. You may have noticed a demand in your community for a
particular form of electrical work, and combining your experience with the
market demand can allow you to attract customers.
CREATE A WORKING NAME
You could even do this before you have an idea for the
business, and if the name is good, you may find it helps you define your
business idea. As your plan grows, and things begin to take shape, the perfect
name may come to you, but don't let that hinder you in the early phases. Create
a name that you can use while you plan and don't hesitate to change it later. Always check to see if
the name is being used by somebody else before selecting it. Try to create a
name that is simple and memorable. Think of popular brand names like
"Apple". These names are memorable, simple, and easy to pronounce.
DEFINE YOUR TEAM
Will you do this alone, or will you bring in one or two
trusted friends to join you? This brings a lot of synergy to the table, as
people bounce ideas off each other. Two people together can often create
something that is greater than the sum of the two separate parts. Think of some of the
biggest success stories in recent times, such as John Lennon and Paul
McCartney; Bill Gates and Paul Allen; Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak; and Larry
Page and Sergey Brin. In every case, the partnership brought out the best in
both sides of the equation. Think about the areas that you are either weak in,
or have little knowledge of. Finding partners compatible with your personality
who can fill in your knowledge or skill gaps is an excellent way to ensure your
business has the resources you need to succeed.
CHOOSE YOUR PARTNERS WISELY
When choosing the person or people
you're going to build the business with, be careful. Even if someone is your
best friend, it doesn't mean that you will partner well in a business
operation. Start it with a reliable person. Things to consider when choosing
your co-leaders and support cast include: Does the other person
complement your weaknesses? Or do both of you bring only one set of the same
skills to the table? If the latter, be wary as you can have too many people
doing the same thing while other things are left unattended. Do you see eye to
eye on the big picture? Arguments about the details are a given, and are
important for getting things right. But not Seeing Eye to eye on the big
picture, the real purpose of your business, can cause a split that may be
irreparable. Be sure your team cares about the and buys into the purpose as
much as you do. If interviewing people, do some reading on how to spot real
talent beyond the certifications, degrees or lack thereof. The area an
individual is educated in is not necessarily the area they are most talented
in. An interviewee may have a background in accounting for example, but their
experience and your assessment of them indicates they may be a better fit
helping with marketing.
In the next post we will discuss about How to Writing a Small Business Plan
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