Successful Small Business Ideas.

Web Business and Web Based Business Tools.

admin — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:25:56 +0000

I’ll talk about what makes a web business a web business in this article and why web based tools are really the element of online business that provide freedom and mobility. I won’t get too bogged down in the technical jargon, I just thought to mentions some of the ways the Internet has improved my life as an entrepreneur. You invited to comment, to add your two cents, and share how the Internet has allowed you to build a better business.

Lets start with the obvious… The website your reading right now is a web-based business tool in that I don’t need to sit a my own PC to update it. I use word-press, which is a CMS (content management system) for publishing to the to the web. When I first installed word-press I knew nothing of html, java, or anything really, about building a website. Word-press is one web based tool that lets the user start with what they do know and build from their. Many web tools operate the same way, thankfully!

I only use web based tools. Think of it as the most common form of out sourcing. I don’t own a server and don’t want to. Many of the web based toolsI use are free or “open source”. Word-press for example is free and built by the community that use it. Great business model. Responsible, functional, and innovating…(Literally) constantly.

Web business is a lot about creating,moving, and sharing information and web business tools make that possible. Information is the currency of the web and collaboration the commerce. Websites,blogs,forums,video sharing sites,twitter,and social media sites are a few of the many ways people create and share information with clients, team members, the general public.

Because web business attempts to communicate value,complexities, and function in order to automate the educational or sales/marketing process, tools are needed. For example, people think in pictures and they also learn in pictures. Mind mapping, while not a new concept, is done on line by using web based tools. Below is an example of a mind mapping tool you can use from anywhere to communicate complex ideas to your audience.

Mind mapping tool.

Have you ever been meeting with a client and found the need to grab a piece of paper and draw a picture? Well in a web business, you’ll anticipate a clients lack of clear understanding and create a drawing with a web based tool to, essentially, accomplish the same thing. In this case you don’t need to be setting in the chair next to them, you could be a continent away. Here is a great tool web business entrepreneur are using to effectively draw pictures.

Drawing Web based Platform

If you really need your client to “be there” then video is going to be your web business medium. A video is one of the best teaching or “show and tell” methods there is online and there are many web based ways to share a video. Simply go to a video sharing site like google and upload a video, copy the link and send it via email.

The last tool I’ll talk about specifically is audio. I personally like audio for two reasons. #1 it gives my eyes a break. #2 I can multi-task by starting an audio or podcast and continue on with SEO other marketing tasks associated with web business customer acquisition.

Want to learn about pod-casting?

Web business ideas number in the millions and one of the unique things about the world wide web is that the way things are done is a major market to web business entrepreneur. Most of the successful web business ideas are just changing the way we do things, not what we do. The products build on human interaction and help make it personal and effective even though we might be separated by an ocean. Web business challengesspace and time in many regards. Think about a difficult problem and while talking with someone in another country you use a search engine to find its already been solved, you IM the person a link and you’ve effectively saved months of time in what would have been a costly sales process or some other process.

What are some of your favorite web based tools that help you web business operate more efficiently or even make it possible at all?

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Success Video|Ideas on Intention,Clarity and Resolve.

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:57:25 +0000

Taking on risk is an accepted element of being a successful entrepreneur. While Its common to think financial risk, legal risk and career risk, I think the biggest risk (and fear) people face including entrepreneurs is a more about perception among peers. We all need to belong.

This could be the thinking that creates most of the frustration, stress, and conflict that we face. Some things are black and white, hot and cold, or in or out. Your either dead or not, or pregnant or not, right? Dying is still not dead, trying to get pregnant is still not pregnant.

Deciding to “do it anyway” is a black and white thing too. Your either creating the life you want or tracing a life between fulfilling your dreams and those othersmay have for you. One is an original, ones a counterfeit.

I’ve made excuses before and so have you. I doesn’t feel good. I’ve been a victim at times, I doesn’t feel good.

Being at cause and on purpose, when boiled right down, happens in three simple steps. And its where power comes from. Here they are:

Having the courage to even consider it.
Contemplate the Possibilities.
Choose the Possibilities.

One can’t happen without the other, and conformity won’t hold your hand on this one. Its a personal and individual decision, you will make it ALONE. That’s why it takes courage. It will look as if your leaving the group. The fear is in the fact that your new group, your new comrades, won’t appear until you’ve chosen the possibilities.

Success is about intention. If you want to call it success you have to call

: Intention is about calling your shot. Having a purpose…A goal.

your shot. Anything else is just slop…

While usually not a proponent of “conventional wisdom”, I’ve gotta think that overcoming obstacles and circumstances pretty much comes down to an unwavering resolve to “do it anyway”….

That’s what this guy did.

Now stay with me here. I’m guessing this guy didn’t take the path he took so someone, one day in the future, would make this video. I’m thinking he did it because he wanted to. I’m also gonna take make the grand assumption that he had to consciously, at some point, say ” I’m doing it anyway”.

So what do you want to do that you haven’t and what excuses have given you comfort in that decision?

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Successful Small Business Idea|Atypical MBA.

admin — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:05:27 +0000

An Atypical MBA? Whats That? This short post is about a “bright” business idea spawned from a non-traditional lifestyle and implement while earning an MBA an Stanford. Social Preneur Sam Goldman, during, peace corp work in Africa, recognized a need and that became a seed for a successful small business idea. I’ve included a video, and interview actually, with Sam as he answers a few questions about the start up D.lighting.

This is one of my favorite ideas I’ve come across as of late I hope you watch this video. Sam Golman, the founder of D. Lighting talks about how the idea came to him and briefly talks about bringing this successful business idea to life.

Small Business Idea Video

Great idea, huh? I think this is a well purposed idea and a neat story that brought the idea to light. Doing a little research, I see the idea has attracted the attention of needed investors with $6 million in funding already committed to the this “Bright” idea.

A take away here is that your everyday life can inspire great business ideas and implementing them in a team envirionment is probaly the most productive route to take. Also I see a strong element networking, probably going hand in hand with the team environment concept. Networking make teams possible. More networking can help the team and the business idea grow.

Any Thoughts?

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Smart Business Idea For 2009.

admin — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:13:33 +0000

I’ll talk about a smart business idea for 2009 in this short article. A simple idea that will, by years end, be earning you a few hundred dollars a month with little time invesment on your part. Whether you’re an employee or a business owner, implementing this business idea will not only benifit you financially, it can also give you a professional boost as well.

Todays business idea is to Start a Blog! No kidding, starting a blog is a smart idea for anyone. If your an employee you can think of a career blog as the best resume on the planet. Think about the instant credibility you stand to gain by giving a new employer a link to you blog. A blog is something that will create a following for you and over time will be a testement to your value of commiment and persistence. (Top attributes sought by any employer)

And, if your a small business owner, a blog is a great way to communicate value, build relationships, and offer more transparency to you staff and curious community. A blog, once followed can also be monetized in various ways, providing another income stream. A blog can easily provide you with vacation size income, say around 3k per year, rather quickly. Start one now.

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The Internet and Small Business Marketing.

admin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:12:05 +0000

How can the Internet help my small business?

Before jumping into a world of gadgetry and technology a serious entrepreneur will likely have asked this question. The answers you may find, not clearly forthcoming, and a costs structure as vague as a classic car restoration.

So how can the Internet help your small business. The first, and obvious to those who are “in”, is adding perceived value. Often overlooked or at least shuffled into second place due to “market reach” or “branding”, communicating value is a job for the Internet does well.

What are some ways you can communicate value?

The transparency, for instance, that a small business blog offers can easily give a customer or client a sneak peak into your processes and challenges to deliver your product or service.

Its about changing perception. Think of it this way. Wouldn’t you agree a person who has watched a program or reviewed a website that covers the production of an automobile would have a greater appreciation for the end cost to the consumer.

When a customer is invited to dig deeper the will likely find their own reasons to buy. Stripping commercialism and the marketing suit from your small business blog can have the desired effect more often than trying to manipulate the experience. Also showing the “human” side of your company, the families, the successes, and the struggles often helps create a sense of ownership before a purchase is made.

The end product approach shoved in the customers face is getting dry and customers are responding differently. Show ‘um how, they already have already decided on what. Instead of hold the diamond in a different angle to the light, tell them the story of creating our supply chain. Better yet, get your supply chain to tell it!

Imagine the shift in customer awareness when they were invited to look into the ore mines that the steel is fashioned from, and then the forge, and various distribution journeys that many of the parts must take. Maybe a diagram of the parts coming into the end manufacturing plant from places around the globe. And then finally the special processes you and your company use to deliver a quality product. In this case a car.

Its endless really, in the methods used, but rest assured the Interenet is a great platform that your potential customers will USE. On their own time, in their own way.

Don’t be afraid to drop the sales pitch. You have salesman and marketing brochures for that, and you don’t need another one. Getting different results requires a different approach, not a new medium for the same old, same old.

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Business Ideas That Everyone Can Do.

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:54:45 +0000

Welcome Back, I’m talking about a simple business idea in this article, that is cool, because anyone can do it. Anyone? Yes this is one of the business ideas that anyone could do…. even your grandma,grandpa, mom, dad, maybe even your dog…. Kinda.

If your wondering if a Dog could actually do this, no it couldn’t, BUT, your dog could play a part and many do. I’m talking about writing a blog. Yes that’s right, a blog. Many people don’t think of a blog as a business idea. It seems most people think blogs are great for writing unconnected bits of information, wisdom, and anecdotes… Kinda like an online journal. Blogs are great for this, and they can also be great as a simple business idea that anyone could do.

Back to the Dog idea… do you have a dog? Let’s say you do, check this out…

Say you get a dog as a puppy and start to train it. You’ll need to “house break” your furry friend first and then you’ll want him to do cool tricks so you can show your friends, right?

Here is the thing, just about everyone who gets a dog, or other pet, will go through many of the same processes that you will. And if you document how you train your dog, or blog about cool tricks you dog does, you will help others or at least provide entertainment value, right?

What makes a Business Idea Good?

The key to all good business ideasis to add value. We make money in this world by adding value, its the only way really. While not all business ideas add real value, they at least need to add perceived value to be good or viable business ideas.

Making Money With a Simple Business idea.

As you attract and audience, with your dogs help, that audience becomes value to advertisers who just happen to produce products for pets. You could sell ad space to these advertisers and there you go. I would speculate if you were to blog consistently for a year, you blog would easily pay for the food your four legged friend will need to energize his new found fame.

If you can talk, you can write, and if you can write you could blog. Can’t write? Then learn and as you do, blog about it. Got kids? Great material there! Topics are endless and this is one of the elements that makes blogging a viable business idea that anyone and everyone could do.

Got some other thoughts on business ideas that are accessible to most but little known? We love comments! Thanks for visiting.

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Easy to Start Business-Starting a New Business.

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:48:10 +0000

Welcome back, I’ll talk about easy to start business ideas in this article, because starting a new businesstoday doesn’t have to be an overly risky pain in the butt.

Easy to start business ideas are not “easy businesses,” there just easy to start. What does that mean? When I think easy to start business, I think of two things: Start up Capital and Time frame to profitability.

Typically when starting a new business there is a 3 year to profitability standard. Don’t get me wrong, businesses differ and some are even profitable immediately. In materials I’ve read, experiences I’ve had, and confirmed by entrepreneurs I’ve known personally is the idea that it will take at least 3 years to be profitable with a new business start up. Why three years? Here are a few of the main reasons:

Cost of acquiring real estate and work space.
Cost of equipment.
Cost of producing initial product.
Cost of initial marketing to launch business.
Fixed costs or monthly costs.
Costs of start up debt.

These are a few of the costs that make a venture a not so easy to start business. It’s pretty simple. Not only do these costs cut into the bottom line, making profitability challenging, they also can greatly impede cash flow. Its an important part of business planningto determine what the cash flow model looks like and how it will preform as the business grows. So an easy to start business venture has to be one that deals with these initial outlays of cash and reduces the fixed expenses to a point low enough to create immediate profitability.

Downside of Easy to Start Businesses.

One obvious down side to businesses that are easy to startis the fact that they are easy to start, its a catch 22, but its real, and it matters. The ease of entry associated with a certain business start up will mean a steady flow of entrepreneurs looking to carve out a piece of the market. So its worth mentioning, don’t be discouraged by having to jump through a few “hoops” in order to get started in a business. Many good small business ideas will rely on specific skill sets or unique knowledge, these are a couple hurdles that can keep many out, and might make the business a better optionfor you if you possess the unique information or skill.

I’m not supposing that its wise to go in search of the easiest business to start, I’m certainly not. From an individual perspective, there are business opportunities that will be easy for you to start as an individual, while still providing a robust barrier to entry to the average person.

Corporate Ladder Climbing... Be Careful.

Its about setting yourself up for success. Choosing a business to start based on your unique experiences, skill sets, and passions is going to be congruent with finding an easy business to start. You know, the market screams for certain businesses to be started and looking for a small business idea that is in this category and is in a field unique to your skill set is golden.

Many times the way the business is positioned in the market place can create opportunities for success that would be otherwise difficult. Perception is reality, they say, and marketing can create the favorable perception your looking for. Starting a new businessis a challenging endeavor and anything you can do in the planning stages is going to benefit the chance of success for your endeavor.

Got a story of a easy to start business? What are some simple ideas that have made a big difference in your small business start up?

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Online Business Made Simple.

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:50:52 +0000

I’ve been publishing online for a few years on and off, mostly on lately and that’s in large part due to my choosing to use word press for my online business websites. Like many people looking, for a simple online business strategy, I like easy. While success is never “easy”, I’d say word press is.

I just upgrade to wordpress 2.7. Anyone unfamiliar with wordpress or what an upgrade is, it goes like this:

Word press is a publishing platform, more specifically a CMS or content management system. In simple terms, it lets me earn more money and develop online business strategies without employing a webmaster. Without knowing any code whatsoever, I have millions of words, thousands of indexed pages and I make money from from the handful of sites I have. Word press makes that, not only possible, but efficient. I like efficient.

Simple Online Business Tips:

Keep it simple.

Use systems that innovate.

Use systems that understand the value of simple.

Monetize you online business in a simple, systematic way.

Learn what you need to learn to achieve your goals.

I think these are some of the key ideas to be successful online long term. While its a pretty basic list, I’ve found these ideas serve as a solid foundation. Getting 50k subscribers and “creating a following” that basically owns me, isn’t appealing to me.

I once heard a great quote about leadership. While we can’t all be “A-List bloogers” we can all be leaders.

Leaders “Get Better and Do More”

Pretty simple, no?

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Easy to Start Home Based Business.

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:21:10 +0000

Many people search for an easy to start home based business that can be successfully operated on a part time basis from home. Some of the best ideas for a home business start up can be gleaned from the hobbies and interests you already have.

Having a genuine interest in your business makes it easy to stick with it through the learning curve. It is a lot easier to be motivated and do the daily tasks associated with your business if you start a business that encompasses and activity or interest you would engage in regardless of the fact it is a home based business.

So what are some of your interest, hobbies and passions? Many people enjoy helping others or teaching, some enjoy selling. It would serve to go beyond these personality based interest and be a bit more specific. For example if your an athlete, you could start a home based business that uses skills you already have by putting together some training manuals or race schedules, or something of the sort.

Profitable home business opportunity seekers don’t need to look to far for a good idea, and many opt to keep their hobbies their own and start a turnkey opportunity. Easy to start can be easy to run as well and starting a business that is run on a part time basis is smart for some.

Many people are interested in photography and there are many ways to start a photography business here is one example and another example.

So what are some other examples of easy to start home based business ideas that you’ve had success with? Wonder how you can turn a good home based business idea into a profitable income generating business? Ask in the comments and let our visitors help!

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Business Planning|Starting Your Own Business Idea.

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:34:24 +0000

Welcome Back, If an entrepreneurial bug has you business planning, brainstorming, and chomping at the bit, you’ll appreciate a few tips on starting your own business. All great small business opportunities start with a great business idea, but It can’t stop there.

Smart Business Planning.

Have you ever wondered why its “OK” for the small business failure rate to be around 95% after 5 years? And if you think that stats a bunch of bunk, I invite you to site some credible resource that shows different, I’ve looked. Business planning has to be on the short list of common reasons small business start ups fail. Traditional business planning many times points to core business processes. Accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and cash flow are the targets of the traditional business planner.

Business planning: An Alternative Approach.

Creating forecasts and sales targets, while widely accepted and quite useful no doubt, leave a bit to be desired given the failure rate of people starting their own business. If you have a great business idea and your ready to start your own business, here are a few more tips that I’ve learned and find useful.

Is your idea built off an existing idea or market?
How will you fund your business?
How can you start your business with 50% less funds that planned now?
What significant differences does your business MODEL have?
Which weighs more on your expecting success, the business model or the business idea?
Why will you business surpass ridiculously unfavorable odds of success?
Do you have a genuine love for the idea you intend transform into a business?
Does you business have to “look” successful, how much will this cost?
Can you form partnerships with existing businesses that are related but not competitors?
Can you provide product or service to an audience in another state or nation?
Is your idea scalable? Will it work with 5 customers and 5,000 customers?
What is the impact of growth on profitability?
Is the business idea one that can innovate an grow into other “related markets”?
Is automation a key element in your idea? What is your function as the entrepreneur?

The Best Small Business Start Ups.

In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins talks about what you can be “the best in the world at”. What is that your business idea will be the best in the world at? One of the things to consider when business planning is to understand your niche. Many people starting a small business are finding that a niche that used to be considered to small because of geographical restrictions is now a top small business idea to start. The Internet as a means of connecting with customers around the globe is a major contributor to the micro-niche trend. Whats your micro niche?

Small Business Planning Forum

Got an idea or question? What are some things you’ve learned with regard to being successful starting up a small business?

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