6 Steps to Take before Starting a Business.doc

7/27/2019 6 Steps to Take before Starting a Business.doc

1/9

Are You Learning as Fast as the World Is Changing?

12:00 PM Thursday January 26, 2012 |Comments(32)

FEATUREDPRODUCTS

OverloadedCircuits: WhySmartPeopleUnderperform

by Edward Hallowell

$6.95

Buy it now

The Scienceof ThinkingSmarter:A Conversationwith BrainExpert JohnJ. Medina

by John Medina, Diane Coutu

$6.95

Buy it now

EMAIL

SHARE

PRINT

Tom Kelly, general manager of IDEO, the world-renowned design firm, likes to quote French novelist

Marcel Proust, who famously said, "The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands but in

seeing with new eyes." What goes for novelists goes for leaders searching to craft a novel strategy for

their company, a new product for their customers, or a better way to organize their employees. In a world

that never stops changing, great leaders never stop learning.

Today, the challenge for leaders at every level is no longer just to out-hustle, out-muscle, and out-maneuver the competition. It is to out-think the competition in ways big and small, to develop a unique

point of view about the future and help your organization get there before anyone else does. Which is why

a defining challenge of leadership is whether you can answer a question that is as simple as it is powerful:

Are you learning as fast as the world is changing?
http://blogs.hbr.org/taylor/2012/01/are_you_learning_as_fast_as_th.html#disqus_threadhttp://blogs.hbr.org/taylor/2012/01/are_you_learning_as_fast_as_th.html#disqus_threadhttp://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0501E-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0501E-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0805B-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0805B-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.phphttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.phphttp://www.ideo.com/people/tom-kelleyhttp://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/the_business_case_for_reading.htmlhttp://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0805B-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0501E-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0501E-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0501E-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0805B-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://hbr.org/product/baynote/an/R0805B-PDF-ENG?referral=00505http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.phphttp://www.addthis.com/bookmark.phphttp://www.ideo.com/people/tom-kelleyhttp://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/the_business_case_for_reading.htmlhttp://blogs.hbr.org/taylor/2012/01/are_you_learning_as_fast_as_th.html#disqus_thread


2/9

Of course, learning new things is all about exposing yourself to new ideas. So if you want to learn faster,

you've got to think differentlyabout where new ideas come from. Here are a few ideas I've developed

over the years about what turns leaders into learners three "habits of mind" that will help you keep

learning as fast as the world is changing.

First, the best leaders(andlearners)havethe widestfield of vision. After Steve Jobs died, I, like everyone else,

read and watched as much as I could about his life and work. One of my favorite sources of insights

wasan old PBS documentarycalled "Triumph of the Nerds," in which luminaries of Silicon Valley talked

about what inspired their innovations. As Jobs talked about the original Macintosh computer, he talked

less about semiconductors and software than he did about painting, music, and art.

"Ultimately it [creativity] comes down to taste," he explained. "It comes down to trying to expose yourself

to the best things that humans have done and then trying to bring those things in to what you're doing...I

think part of what made the Macintosh great was that the people working on it were musicians and poets

and artists and zoologists and historians who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the

world."

Translation: You're not going to learn faster (or deeper) than everyone else if you seek inspiration from

the same sources as everyone else. Educators know that we learn the most when we encounter people,

experiences, and ideas that are the least like us. And yet, we spend most of our time with people and in

places that are the most like us our old colleagues, our familiar offices, our reassuring neighborhoods.

If you want to learn faster, look and live more broadly.

Second,and moretactically, the best sourceof newideasin your field can be old ideasfromunrelatedfields. A few

months ago, after I gave a talk about innovation to a gathering of executives from the world of food

retailing, one frustrated member of the audience asked for some advice about dealing with her boss. "My

boss likes to say, 'I want a totally new idea and three examples of where that idea has worked before.'"

The audience roared in recognition of the oxymoronic absurdity of the boss's sentiment, as did I.

But then I got to thinking...Often, it turns out, a powerful source of "totally new" ideas in one industry can

be standard operating procedures from another industry well-established practices that look downright

revolutionary when you simply move them from one place to another.

For example, leaders at Lexus identified all sorts of new ideas to reshape the customer experience for

luxury cars by searching for clues at brands such as Four Seasons and Apple companies that were

great at what they did, even though what they did had nothing to do with automobiles. Physicians and

administrators from London's Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children redesigned many of their

surgical proceduresby studying how Ferrari's Formula One racing team handled pit stops.

Sure, there's always a place for R&D as research & development. But there's also a place for R&D as rip-

off and duplicate. Ideas that are routine in one industry can be revolutionary when they migrate to another
http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/dont_think_different_think_abo.htmlhttp://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/dont_think_different_think_abo.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/nerds/part3.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/nerds/part3.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/nerds/part3.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527497/Ferrari-pit-stop-saves-Alexanders-life.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527497/Ferrari-pit-stop-saves-Alexanders-life.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527497/Ferrari-pit-stop-saves-Alexanders-life.htmlhttp://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/dont_think_different_think_abo.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/nerds/part3.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527497/Ferrari-pit-stop-saves-Alexanders-life.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1527497/Ferrari-pit-stop-saves-Alexanders-life.html


3/9

industry, especially when they challenge the prevailing assumptions and conventional wisdom that have

come to define so many industries.

Finally, and mostpersonally, successfullearnersworkhardnot to be loners.These days, the most powerful

insights often come from the most unexpected places the hidden genius locked inside your company,the collective genius of customers, suppliers, and other smart people who would be eager to teach you

what they know if you simply asked for their insights. But tapping this learning resource requires a new

leadership mindset enough ambition to address tough problems, enough humility to be willing to learn

from everyone you encounter. Nobody alone learns as quickly as everybody together.

We all want to be better leaders. And the best leaders, it turns out, are the most insatiable learners. How

are you learning as fast as the world is changing?

More blog posts byBill Taylor

More on: Competition,Innovation,Leadership

6 Steps to Take before Starting a Business9:34 AM ET |

By: BusinessNewsDaily Staff

2

3FEB2011

F O L L O W

S H A R E

Carol Roth has been helping businesses grow for more than 15 years by helping them raise more than $1

billion in capital, completing hundreds of millions of dollars in merger and acquisition transactionss

transactions, securing high-profile licensing and partnership deals, and creating brand loyalty programs. In

her new book, The Entrepreneur Equation: Evaluating the Realities, Risks, and Rewards of Having YourOwn Business (BenBella Books, March 2011), she talks potential business owners through launching a

startup.

She told BusinessNewsDaily what you need to do before you get started.

[The One Personality Trait of All Successful Entrepreneurs]

Know your motives
http://hbr.org/search/Bill%20Taylorhttp://hbr.org/search/Bill%20Taylorhttp://hbr.org/search/competitionhttp://hbr.org/search/competitionhttp://hbr.org/search/innovationhttp://hbr.org/search/innovationhttp://hbr.org/search/leadershiphttp://hbr.org/search/Bill%20Taylorhttp://hbr.org/search/competitionhttp://hbr.org/search/innovationhttp://hbr.org/search/leadership


4/9

Study ACCA in Canadawww.LSBF.caPass First Time Guarantee HD Video Lectures. Apply Today!

2 Year MBA Programmewww.LSBF.org.uk/MBA-CoursesBusiness Management Courses Company-based learning. Learn more!

Business free 30Day Offerwww.zertificon.com

Mail Encryption can be easy! Register for full function trial.Ads by Google

Are you bored, wanting to be free of a boss, or eager to jump on the bandwagon of a hot technology? These

are not valid reasons to start a business. But if you're focused on solving a customer problem, believe you

can do better than anyone else, and are dying to work long hours, wear many hats, and balance numerous

responsibilities, you have the right startup mindset.

Meet the people

If you equate business ownership with solitude and freedom from annoying co-workers or managers, you're

in for a surprise. Entrepreneurs spend most of their time dealing with people investors, professionals

such as lawyers and accountants, suppliers, and customers.

Prepare yourself

Ever managed employees and vendors? Do you know your industry inside and out, including aspects such as

accounting and marketing? If you don't have all the entrepreneurial skills you need, acquire them before

starting your business. Spend time working in a similar company, shadow a business in your industry, or

accept an internship.

Check your checkbook

Be honest about your relationship with money. Do you have money to invest? Are you able to lose it all? Will

you rely on others? Do you avoid financial risk at all costs? Are you "good" with money? How you handle

money now will influence the type of financial manager you'll be.

Know your competition

Is your market saturated with successful businesses? Is your industry littered with bad businesses? Is

anyone doing what you want to do? If not, why not? To brand your business and woo investors, you'll need

to understand why and how you can outshine competitors.

Test your scalability

Successful businesses rely on automation and delegation. Will you be able to teach other employees to do

your work? If your business relies on your brain and skills alone, you might have a successful job, but not a

successful business.

Carol Roth is a popular media personality on Fox News, MSNBC, and WGN-TV Chicago, and has an award-

winning blog at www.CarolRoth.com.
http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=Br5qT0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBJCTuq0DgOivokHAjbcBoJUtEAEYASDymfQBKAM4AFDfpOmwB2DLBKABkJbczQOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbKkC7wFmefhduj7IApDcwSGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0DlIKbiT5iqpAcr-MrYmtQcPKP-Q&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.ca/programs/acca/%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3DC4http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=Br5qT0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBJCTuq0DgOivokHAjbcBoJUtEAEYASDymfQBKAM4AFDfpOmwB2DLBKABkJbczQOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbKkC7wFmefhduj7IApDcwSGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0DlIKbiT5iqpAcr-MrYmtQcPKP-Q&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.ca/programs/acca/%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3DC4http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=Br5qT0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBJCTuq0DgOivokHAjbcBoJUtEAEYASDymfQBKAM4AFDfpOmwB2DLBKABkJbczQOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbKkC7wFmefhduj7IApDcwSGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0DlIKbiT5iqpAcr-MrYmtQcPKP-Q&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.ca/programs/acca/%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3DC4http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B2k7H0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIHSsYoCqaf47CTAjbcB0NkREAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFDI8-iu_f____8BYMsEoAGv_vbkA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAUNodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS83MDAtY2Fyb2wtcm90aC1zdGFydHVwLWFkdmljZS5odG1sqQLvAWZ5-F26PsgC0bLsGqgDAegDDOgDpwToA_II6AOdAfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=2&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0PsHm8PIaQ2U4YGjf1b_co8mFVug&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/mba/ggsb-mba.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2881http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B2k7H0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIHSsYoCqaf47CTAjbcB0NkREAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFDI8-iu_f____8BYMsEoAGv_vbkA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAUNodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS83MDAtY2Fyb2wtcm90aC1zdGFydHVwLWFkdmljZS5odG1sqQLvAWZ5-F26PsgC0bLsGqgDAegDDOgDpwToA_II6AOdAfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=2&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0PsHm8PIaQ2U4YGjf1b_co8mFVug&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/mba/ggsb-mba.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2881http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BKcjO0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIqu28oCyp7TjibCj-3Re7C9EBADGAMg8pn0ASgDOABQld6_m_r_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbIACAakCZoLaWb8Ttj7AAgGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=3&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_1Uzzqmfav52J6w6UCVh4P4k-WpIg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/email-encryption-gateway-inquiry.phphttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BKcjO0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIqu28oCyp7TjibCj-3Re7C9EBADGAMg8pn0ASgDOABQld6_m_r_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbIACAakCZoLaWb8Ttj7AAgGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=3&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_1Uzzqmfav52J6w6UCVh4P4k-WpIg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/email-encryption-gateway-inquiry.phphttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BKcjO0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIqu28oCyp7TjibCj-3Re7C9EBADGAMg8pn0ASgDOABQld6_m_r_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbIACAakCZoLaWb8Ttj7AAgGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=3&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_1Uzzqmfav52J6w6UCVh4P4k-WpIg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/email-encryption-gateway-inquiry.phphttp://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py%3Fcontact%3Dabg_afc%26url%3Dhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/700-carol-roth-startup-advice.html%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dca-pub-1894578950532504%26adU%3Dwww.LSBF.ca%26adT%3DStudy%2BACCA%2Bin%2BCanada%26adU%3Dwww.LSBF.org.uk/MBA-Courses%26adT%3D2%2BYear%2BMBA%2BProgramme%26adU%3Dwww.zertificon.com%26adT%3DBusiness%2Bfree%2B30Day%2BOffer%26gl%3DPK&usg=AFQjCNFzOpDuZyuSRaSsAzIFIicQsTJy-Qhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=Br5qT0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBJCTuq0DgOivokHAjbcBoJUtEAEYASDymfQBKAM4AFDfpOmwB2DLBKABkJbczQOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbKkC7wFmefhduj7IApDcwSGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0DlIKbiT5iqpAcr-MrYmtQcPKP-Q&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.ca/programs/acca/%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3DC4http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=Br5qT0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBJCTuq0DgOivokHAjbcBoJUtEAEYASDymfQBKAM4AFDfpOmwB2DLBKABkJbczQOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbKkC7wFmefhduj7IApDcwSGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0DlIKbiT5iqpAcr-MrYmtQcPKP-Q&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.ca/programs/acca/%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3DC4http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B2k7H0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIHSsYoCqaf47CTAjbcB0NkREAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFDI8-iu_f____8BYMsEoAGv_vbkA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAUNodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS83MDAtY2Fyb2wtcm90aC1zdGFydHVwLWFkdmljZS5odG1sqQLvAWZ5-F26PsgC0bLsGqgDAegDDOgDpwToA_II6AOdAfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=2&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0PsHm8PIaQ2U4YGjf1b_co8mFVug&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/mba/ggsb-mba.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2881http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B2k7H0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIHSsYoCqaf47CTAjbcB0NkREAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFDI8-iu_f____8BYMsEoAGv_vbkA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAUNodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS83MDAtY2Fyb2wtcm90aC1zdGFydHVwLWFkdmljZS5odG1sqQLvAWZ5-F26PsgC0bLsGqgDAegDDOgDpwToA_II6AOdAfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=2&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_0PsHm8PIaQ2U4YGjf1b_co8mFVug&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/mba/ggsb-mba.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2881http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BKcjO0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIqu28oCyp7TjibCj-3Re7C9EBADGAMg8pn0ASgDOABQld6_m_r_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbIACAakCZoLaWb8Ttj7AAgGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=3&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_1Uzzqmfav52J6w6UCVh4P4k-WpIg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/email-encryption-gateway-inquiry.phphttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BKcjO0XAnT-yrLIbC0AXGvtmYBIqu28oCyp7TjibCj-3Re7C9EBADGAMg8pn0ASgDOABQld6_m_r_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFDaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNzAwLWNhcm9sLXJvdGgtc3RhcnR1cC1hZHZpY2UuaHRtbIACAakCZoLaWb8Ttj7AAgGoAwHoAwzoA6cE6APyCOgDnQH1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=3&cid=5Gin2XgApGSNmGkKu_DP0yhE&sig=AOD64_1Uzzqmfav52J6w6UCVh4P4k-WpIg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/email-encryption-gateway-inquiry.phphttp://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py%3Fcontact%3Dabg_afc%26url%3Dhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/700-carol-roth-startup-advice.html%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dca-pub-1894578950532504%26adU%3Dwww.LSBF.ca%26adT%3DStudy%2BACCA%2Bin%2BCanada%26adU%3Dwww.LSBF.org.uk/MBA-Courses%26adT%3D2%2BYear%2BMBA%2BProgramme%26adU%3Dwww.zertificon.com%26adT%3DBusiness%2Bfree%2B30Day%2BOffer%26gl%3DPK&usg=AFQjCNFzOpDuZyuSRaSsAzIFIicQsTJy-Q


5/9

Mind Your Business: My Best Business

Idea9:18 AM ET |

By: Jeanette Mulvey, BusinessNewsDaily Managing Editor

3

0JAN2012

F O L L O W

S H A R E

View full size image

My best business idea ever and, believe me, I've had a lot of them was a great concept. A sure

thing, I thought. It would be part store, part salon, part party place for girls only. It had great

potential.

Then, unexpectedly, I found myself standing in the middle of exactly such a place. A franchise

called "Sweet and Sassy," which is part junior salon (mini-mani's, anyone?), part party location and

part retail store stocked with $4 bottles of nail polish, shower scrubs and hair extensions. All in all,

it was exactly what I'd imagined: a big, fat, glitter-covered, fairy-winged, hot-pink cash cow.

"They stole my idea," I thought to myself as Justin Bieber blared through the stereo speakers while

a gaggle of 7-year-olds got mini-makeovers. "How did I let this happen?"

It wasn't the first time I'd had a new business idea and then discovered someone else had the same

idea at the same time. I'm addicted to thinking up new business ideas, planning out the logo,

branding and marketing and then realizing about three days in that I just don't have what it

takes to commit to being an entrepreneur. I don't have the money, the guts to borrow the money or

the time to spend every waking moment worrying about my business.

Email Encryption Gatewaywww.zertificon.com
http://www.sweetandsassy.com/index.phphttp://www.sweetandsassy.com/index.phphttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1646-great-business-ideas-2012.htmlhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B7Zu7sXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re7C9EBABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gE-aHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vMTk2My1ncmVhdC1idXNpbmVzcy1pZGVhLmh0bWyAAgGpAm5QurbwKrY-wAIBqAMB6AOnBOgDqAToAxn1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3q5WL9ZWICxSh-FctanJ_9hsbOAg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B7Zu7sXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re7C9EBABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gE-aHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vMTk2My1ncmVhdC1idXNpbmVzcy1pZGVhLmh0bWyAAgGpAm5QurbwKrY-wAIBqAMB6AOnBOgDqAToAxn1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3q5WL9ZWICxSh-FctanJ_9hsbOAg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B7Zu7sXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re7C9EBABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gE-aHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vMTk2My1ncmVhdC1idXNpbmVzcy1pZGVhLmh0bWyAAgGpAm5QurbwKrY-wAIBqAMB6AOnBOgDqAToAxn1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3q5WL9ZWICxSh-FctanJ_9hsbOAg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.sweetandsassy.com/index.phphttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1646-great-business-ideas-2012.htmlhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B7Zu7sXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re7C9EBABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gE-aHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vMTk2My1ncmVhdC1idXNpbmVzcy1pZGVhLmh0bWyAAgGpAm5QurbwKrY-wAIBqAMB6AOnBOgDqAToAxn1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3q5WL9ZWICxSh-FctanJ_9hsbOAg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B7Zu7sXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re7C9EBABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gE-aHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vMTk2My1ncmVhdC1idXNpbmVzcy1pZGVhLmh0bWyAAgGpAm5QurbwKrY-wAIBqAMB6AOnBOgDqAToAxn1AwIAAMT1AwAAABCIBgE&num=1&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3q5WL9ZWICxSh-FctanJ_9hsbOAg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/en


6/9

Policy based, automated, efficient and flexible for all enterprises!

Looking for Decorated Cakes?www.Facebook.comFind Decorated Cakes on Facebook. Sign Up Free Now!

Study MA Int'l Marketingwww.LSBF.org.uk/MarketingLeading Business School in UK 1 Year MA International Marketing

Ads by Google

Come to think of it, I also don't really like selling, nor am I particularly fond of hiring and managing

employees. Turns out, thinking up new and clever business ideas isn't so much a sign of my

entrepreneurial prowess as it is a slightly obsessive hobby. Some people knit or go on Facebook. I

think up business ideas.

The whole incident reminded me that being an entrepreneur is almost never about the business

you're in. So, you like cupcakes. Great. That doesn't necessarily mean you should open a bakery

unless you like working early in the morning, managing lots of people and figuring out what to do

with your leftovers at the end of the day.

Being an entrepreneur isn't about what you're selling. It's about possessing a complementary set of

skills that most people don't have. You have to be good with money, good at managing your time,

good at managing people, good at relating to customers and good at marketing and branding. You

also have to be willing to live the lifestyle the hours, the travel, the commitment required by

whatever business you decide to own. If you love cupcakes but don't have all those other skills,

maybe you'd be best off becoming a cupcake decorator and working for someone else.

Too often, would-be entrepreneurs get caught up in the excitement of the idea. They envision their

logo, their business card or their store front. They imagine saying the words, "I own my own"

whenever someone asks them what they do for a living.

The reality, though, is that while the idea of owning a business sounds glamorous, the day-to-day

work involved is anything but. You'll miss parties and dinners and dates. You'll miss lots of sleep

and even when you could be sleeping, you'll be lying awake worrying about money or a problem

employee. It's not, as they say, for the faint of heart.

Jeanette Mulvey has been the managing editor of BusinessNewsDaily since its debut in 2010. She has

written about small business for more than 20 years and formerly owned her own e-commerce business.

Her column, Mind Your Business, appears on Mondays only on BusinessNewsDaily. You can follow her on

Twitter at @jeanettebnd or contact her via e-mail [email protected].

Creative Ways to Market Your Small

Business12:43 PM ET |

By: BusinessNewsDaily Staff
http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BimfRsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBMmw9oQCud2fjSHAjbcB8KIEEAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFCp7rC-BGDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbMgC2e24G6gDAegDpwToA6gE6AMZ9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=2&sig=AOD64_1oGamUvYqgYkttUo_JhjD8_bdnVQ&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://540.xg4ken.com/media/redir.php%3Fprof%3D3%26camp%3D66%26affcode%3Dkw19584469%26cid%3D8801896209%26networkType%3Dcontent%26url%5B%5D%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Fcampaign%252Flanding.php%253Fcampaign_id%253D149057225193940%2526creative%253D8801896209%2526extra_1%253D_kenshoo_clickid_%2526keyword%253Ddecorated%252Bcakes%2526placement%253Dbroadhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BimfRsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBMmw9oQCud2fjSHAjbcB8KIEEAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFCp7rC-BGDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbMgC2e24G6gDAegDpwToA6gE6AMZ9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=2&sig=AOD64_1oGamUvYqgYkttUo_JhjD8_bdnVQ&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://540.xg4ken.com/media/redir.php%3Fprof%3D3%26camp%3D66%26affcode%3Dkw19584469%26cid%3D8801896209%26networkType%3Dcontent%26url%5B%5D%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Fcampaign%252Flanding.php%253Fcampaign_id%253D149057225193940%2526creative%253D8801896209%2526extra_1%253D_kenshoo_clickid_%2526keyword%253Ddecorated%252Bcakes%2526placement%253Dbroadhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BccrHsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIeMt_cBr-jPjyrAjbcB0NkREAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFCJuYu7______8BYMsEoAHJrI7hA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbKkCA3Pf77Fiuj7IAqfG_RioAwHoA6cE6AOoBOgDGfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=3&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3rjOBsYvlgvv4mfZJgXjke2b2QKg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/marketing/ma-international-marketing.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2923http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BccrHsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIeMt_cBr-jPjyrAjbcB0NkREAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFCJuYu7______8BYMsEoAHJrI7hA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbKkCA3Pf77Fiuj7IAqfG_RioAwHoA6cE6AOoBOgDGfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=3&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3rjOBsYvlgvv4mfZJgXjke2b2QKg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/marketing/ma-international-marketing.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2923http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BccrHsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIeMt_cBr-jPjyrAjbcB0NkREAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFCJuYu7______8BYMsEoAHJrI7hA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbKkCA3Pf77Fiuj7IAqfG_RioAwHoA6cE6AOoBOgDGfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=3&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3rjOBsYvlgvv4mfZJgXjke2b2QKg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/marketing/ma-international-marketing.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2923http://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py%3Fcontact%3Dabg_afc%26url%3Dhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1963-great-business-idea.html%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dca-pub-1894578950532504%26adU%3Dwww.zertificon.com%26adT%3DEmail%2BEncryption%2BGateway%26adU%3Dwww.Facebook.com%26adT%3DLooking%2Bfor%2BDecorated%2BCakes%253F%26adU%3Dwww.LSBF.org.uk/Marketing%26adT%3DStudy%2BMA%2BInt%2526%252339%253Bl%2BMarketing%26gl%3DPK&usg=AFQjCNF3gx0NP42BeNY0O31EYJlrFIBdEwhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1173-conquer-fear-selling.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/85-new-employee-hiring-personality-information.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/85-new-employee-hiring-personality-information.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/[email protected]://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BimfRsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBMmw9oQCud2fjSHAjbcB8KIEEAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFCp7rC-BGDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbMgC2e24G6gDAegDpwToA6gE6AMZ9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=2&sig=AOD64_1oGamUvYqgYkttUo_JhjD8_bdnVQ&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://540.xg4ken.com/media/redir.php%3Fprof%3D3%26camp%3D66%26affcode%3Dkw19584469%26cid%3D8801896209%26networkType%3Dcontent%26url%5B%5D%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Fcampaign%252Flanding.php%253Fcampaign_id%253D149057225193940%2526creative%253D8801896209%2526extra_1%253D_kenshoo_clickid_%2526keyword%253Ddecorated%252Bcakes%2526placement%253Dbroadhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BimfRsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBMmw9oQCud2fjSHAjbcB8KIEEAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFCp7rC-BGDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbMgC2e24G6gDAegDpwToA6gE6AMZ9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=2&sig=AOD64_1oGamUvYqgYkttUo_JhjD8_bdnVQ&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://540.xg4ken.com/media/redir.php%3Fprof%3D3%26camp%3D66%26affcode%3Dkw19584469%26cid%3D8801896209%26networkType%3Dcontent%26url%5B%5D%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Fcampaign%252Flanding.php%253Fcampaign_id%253D149057225193940%2526creative%253D8801896209%2526extra_1%253D_kenshoo_clickid_%2526keyword%253Ddecorated%252Bcakes%2526placement%253Dbroadhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BccrHsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIeMt_cBr-jPjyrAjbcB0NkREAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFCJuYu7______8BYMsEoAHJrI7hA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbKkCA3Pf77Fiuj7IAqfG_RioAwHoA6cE6AOoBOgDGfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=3&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3rjOBsYvlgvv4mfZJgXjke2b2QKg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/marketing/ma-international-marketing.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2923http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BccrHsXAnT4yVK6mZ0AWQ-ajOBIeMt_cBr-jPjyrAjbcB0NkREAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFCJuYu7______8BYMsEoAHJrI7hA7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAT5odHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS8xOTYzLWdyZWF0LWJ1c2luZXNzLWlkZWEuaHRtbKkCA3Pf77Fiuj7IAqfG_RioAwHoA6cE6AOoBOgDGfUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=3&cid=5GitxeC0MqR7_l-p1QHRc7c0&sig=AOD64_3rjOBsYvlgvv4mfZJgXjke2b2QKg&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.lsbf.org.uk/programmes/masters/marketing/ma-international-marketing.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3D2923http://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py%3Fcontact%3Dabg_afc%26url%3Dhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1963-great-business-idea.html%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dca-pub-1894578950532504%26adU%3Dwww.zertificon.com%26adT%3DEmail%2BEncryption%2BGateway%26adU%3Dwww.Facebook.com%26adT%3DLooking%2Bfor%2BDecorated%2BCakes%253F%26adU%3Dwww.LSBF.org.uk/Marketing%26adT%3DStudy%2BMA%2BInt%2526%252339%253Bl%2BMarketing%26gl%3DPK&usg=AFQjCNF3gx0NP42BeNY0O31EYJlrFIBdEwhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1173-conquer-fear-selling.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/85-new-employee-hiring-personality-information.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/85-new-employee-hiring-personality-information.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/[email protected]


7/9

1

3

JUL2010

F O L L O W

S H A R E

View full size image

Marketing can involve costly advertising or a useful toll free number or simple promotions that don't cost

you a dime. But there's a key to successful marketingthat many small business owners fail to keep in mind:

Focus on what the customer wants. Only if people truly desire your product or service your marketing efforts

bring lasting success.

Marketing is about a lot more than one catchy idea. The American Marketing Association defines it as "the

process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and

services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives." Step one is to have a

plan and a strategy. Marketing your business is not just about one gimmick. You have to commit funds to

marketing your business, and of course you'll want to spend that money wisely. [Learn More: How to Create

an Effective Marketing Plan]

Once you have a plan in place, and/or if you're struggling to come up with a fresh way to market your

business, check out these ideas some simple, some creative from the National Women's Business

Centerand the Small Business Administration:

Email Encryption Gatewaywww.zertificon.com

Policy based, automated, efficient and flexible for all enterprises!

Mystery Shoppers Wantedwww.gapbuster.com

Get paid to assess customer service Be a Mystery Shopper in your area.
http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/29-should-my-business-get-a-toll-free-number.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/90-infographic-us-small-business-facts.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.womenbiz.org/http://www.womenbiz.org/http://www.womenbiz.org/http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BOZTKdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re-C2DRABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFQaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNDctY3JlYXRpdmUtbWFya2V0aW5nLWlkZWFzLXNtYWxsLWJ1c2luZXNzLmh0bWyAAgGpAmaC2lm_E7Y-wAIBqAMB6AMZ6AMM6AOnBPUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=1&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_39VUwgjXVfhsoLLAv4FodxHeZPWA&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BOZTKdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re-C2DRABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFQaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNDctY3JlYXRpdmUtbWFya2V0aW5nLWlkZWFzLXNtYWxsLWJ1c2luZXNzLmh0bWyAAgGpAmaC2lm_E7Y-wAIBqAMB6AMZ6AMM6AOnBPUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=1&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_39VUwgjXVfhsoLLAv4FodxHeZPWA&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BOZTKdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re-C2DRABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFQaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNDctY3JlYXRpdmUtbWFya2V0aW5nLWlkZWFzLXNtYWxsLWJ1c2luZXNzLmh0bWyAAgGpAmaC2lm_E7Y-wAIBqAMB6AMZ6AMM6AOnBPUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=1&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_39VUwgjXVfhsoLLAv4FodxHeZPWA&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BHxLtdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBOeQ4OwBp-jj6ynAjbcBoMIeEAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFDtrrY6YMsEoAHRxJn9A7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbIACAakCUdtHpK3OsT7IAte_5BKoAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQiAYB&num=2&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_2RtTHtLIP-uKLm7m_NRQDIjb8SSQ&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.gapcentral.gapbuster.com/xec/Default.aspx%3Fcp%3Dweb/googleads/shell/pakistan/nationalhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BHxLtdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBOeQ4OwBp-jj6ynAjbcBoMIeEAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFDtrrY6YMsEoAHRxJn9A7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbIACAakCUdtHpK3OsT7IAte_5BKoAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQiAYB&num=2&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_2RtTHtLIP-uKLm7m_NRQDIjb8SSQ&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.gapcentral.gapbuster.com/xec/Default.aspx%3Fcp%3Dweb/googleads/shell/pakistan/nationalhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/29-should-my-business-get-a-toll-free-number.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/90-infographic-us-small-business-facts.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4-creating-effective-business-marketing-plan.htmlhttp://www.womenbiz.org/http://www.womenbiz.org/http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BOZTKdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re-C2DRABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFQaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNDctY3JlYXRpdmUtbWFya2V0aW5nLWlkZWFzLXNtYWxsLWJ1c2luZXNzLmh0bWyAAgGpAmaC2lm_E7Y-wAIBqAMB6AMZ6AMM6AOnBPUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=1&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_39VUwgjXVfhsoLLAv4FodxHeZPWA&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BOZTKdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBIqu28oCupKs_iXCj-3Re-C2DRABGAEg8pn0ASgDOABQgN_EyPj_____AWDLBKAB1pXL_gOyARl3d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tyAEB2gFQaHR0cDovL3d3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb20vNDctY3JlYXRpdmUtbWFya2V0aW5nLWlkZWFzLXNtYWxsLWJ1c2luZXNzLmh0bWyAAgGpAmaC2lm_E7Y-wAIBqAMB6AMZ6AMM6AOnBPUDAgAAxPUDAAAAEIgGAQ&num=1&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_39VUwgjXVfhsoLLAv4FodxHeZPWA&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.zertificon.com/enhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BHxLtdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBOeQ4OwBp-jj6ynAjbcBoMIeEAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFDtrrY6YMsEoAHRxJn9A7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbIACAakCUdtHpK3OsT7IAte_5BKoAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQiAYB&num=2&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_2RtTHtLIP-uKLm7m_NRQDIjb8SSQ&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.gapcentral.gapbuster.com/xec/Default.aspx%3Fcp%3Dweb/googleads/shell/pakistan/nationalhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BHxLtdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBOeQ4OwBp-jj6ynAjbcBoMIeEAIYAiDymfQBKAM4AFDtrrY6YMsEoAHRxJn9A7IBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbIACAakCUdtHpK3OsT7IAte_5BKoAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQiAYB&num=2&cid=5GhAYFHflomg3Gn98IyB2iB3&sig=AOD64_2RtTHtLIP-uKLm7m_NRQDIjb8SSQ&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.gapcentral.gapbuster.com/xec/Default.aspx%3Fcp%3Dweb/googleads/shell/pakistan/national


8/9

Market Test & Get Insightwww.YourInsighters.com

Market test decisions, changes and ideas with 5000 users & get insight

Ads by Google

Carry business cards with you (all day, every day) and pass them out.

Ask clients why they hired you and solicit suggestions for improvement.

Ask former clients why they left you.

Identify a new market.

Join a list-serve (e-mail list) related to your profession.

Subscribe to an Internet usenet newsgroup or a list-serve that serves your target market.

Offer a simpler/cheaper/smaller version of your (or existing) product or service.

Offer a fancier/more expensive/faster/bigger version of your (or existing) product or service.

Create a suggestion box for employees.

Give regular clients a discount.

Offer financing or installment plans.

Publish a newsletter for customers and prospects (online printing services ).

Create a poster or calendar to give away to customers and prospects.

Develop a web site and offer advice that customers find truly useful.

Send timely and newsworthy press releases (how about celebrating your 1,000th customer?).

Create an annual award and publicize it.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or trade magazine.

Take the local newspaper editor to lunch.

Send handwritten thank you notes.

Send birthday cards and appropriate seasonal greetings.

Join a Chamber of Commerce or other local business organization.

Give away hats, pens, mouse pads, or mugs with your logo on them..

Consider placing ads in your newspaper's classified section they tend to be cheap, and to work.

Get a booth at a fair or trade show.

Sponsor or host a special event at your business in cooperation with a local non-profit organization.

Sponsor a local youth sports team.

We like this old-fashioned, tried-and-true piece of advice best: Return phone calls promptly.

9 Elevator Pitches Being Used Now5:54 PM ET |

By: Brian Anthony Hernandez, BusinessNewsDaily Staff Writer

2

2SEP

2010F O L L O W

S H A R E

Need some great ideas for your elevator pitch? Check out the ones BusinessNewsDaily heard from small

businesses across the country.
http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BbwCCdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBLnpr44C2YO3mijAjbcBkPQdEAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFD-y4arBWDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbKkCUdtHpK3OsT6oAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=3&sig=AOD64_3PjnHAzMobjCWnJhdDrrzS8sGd_A&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.yourinsighters.comhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BbwCCdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBLnpr44C2YO3mijAjbcBkPQdEAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFD-y4arBWDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbKkCUdtHpK3OsT6oAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=3&sig=AOD64_3PjnHAzMobjCWnJhdDrrzS8sGd_A&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.yourinsighters.comhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BbwCCdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBLnpr44C2YO3mijAjbcBkPQdEAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFD-y4arBWDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbKkCUdtHpK3OsT6oAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=3&sig=AOD64_3PjnHAzMobjCWnJhdDrrzS8sGd_A&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.yourinsighters.comhttp://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py%3Fcontact%3Dabg_afc%26url%3Dhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/47-creative-marketing-ideas-small-business.html%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dca-pub-1894578950532504%26adU%3Dwww.zertificon.com%26adT%3DEmail%2BEncryption%2BGateway%26adU%3Dwww.gapbuster.com%26adT%3DMystery%2BShoppers%2BWanted%26adU%3Dwww.YourInsighters.com%26adT%3DMarket%2BTest%2B%2526amp%253B%2BGet%2BInsight%26gl%3DPK&usg=AFQjCNE4ek90miILWcNaXdO1T-v85ByxFQhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/41-online-business-printing.htmlhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BbwCCdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBLnpr44C2YO3mijAjbcBkPQdEAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFD-y4arBWDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbKkCUdtHpK3OsT6oAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=3&sig=AOD64_3PjnHAzMobjCWnJhdDrrzS8sGd_A&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.yourinsighters.comhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BbwCCdHYnT8fdKNCT0AXp7siJBLnpr44C2YO3mijAjbcBkPQdEAMYAyDymfQBKAM4AFD-y4arBWDLBLIBGXd3dy5idXNpbmVzc25ld3NkYWlseS5jb23IAQHaAVBodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJ1c2luZXNzbmV3c2RhaWx5LmNvbS80Ny1jcmVhdGl2ZS1tYXJrZXRpbmctaWRlYXMtc21hbGwtYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbKkCUdtHpK3OsT6oAwHoAxnoAwzoA6cE9QMCAADE9QMAAAAQ&num=3&sig=AOD64_3PjnHAzMobjCWnJhdDrrzS8sGd_A&client=ca-pub-1894578950532504&adurl=http://www.yourinsighters.comhttp://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py%3Fcontact%3Dabg_afc%26url%3Dhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/47-creative-marketing-ideas-small-business.html%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dca-pub-1894578950532504%26adU%3Dwww.zertificon.com%26adT%3DEmail%2BEncryption%2BGateway%26adU%3Dwww.gapbuster.com%26adT%3DMystery%2BShoppers%2BWanted%26adU%3Dwww.YourInsighters.com%26adT%3DMarket%2BTest%2B%2526amp%253B%2BGet%2BInsight%26gl%3DPK&usg=AFQjCNE4ek90miILWcNaXdO1T-v85ByxFQhttp://www.businessnewsdaily.com/41-online-business-printing.html


9/9

We provide pre-divorce planning services. You might think of me as a wedding planner except the

focus of planning is on divorce. -- Nancy Fagan, a divorce planner for Divorce Help Clinic

I help leaders recognize and eliminate the drama that hampers productivity. When you have drama

in your business you feel like you are shoveling coal in the boiler room instead of navigating the

ship. I help leaders get out of the boiler room and back on the top deck. -- Marlene Chism,

founder of Stop Workplace Drama

thredUP is a new online kids clothing swap community. Think hand-me-downs gone viral. We helpparents exchange boxes of outgrown kids clothes for boxes of gear that fits - all online, without

leaving the house. Its the perfect solution for busy parents looking to save time and money while

also doing good by the environment. -- Karen Fein, public relations and marketing director of

thredUP

I work with companies who want to stop losing money and be more productive by taking better care

of themselves and their employees. -- Marc Tinsley, health, fitness and wellness expert with

Fitness for the Rest of Us

BeLinker is a suite of tools that help event planners run a better, faster, cheaper and greener event.

By combining four or five tools that they typically use into one easy to access software platform,

BeLinker maximizes the connection between people, products and information and does so on any

internet connected device. -- Brian Slawin, president of BusyEvent

Adventures With PawPaw is a series of childrens books about a little dog who travels to a different

country in each book, introducing young children to other countries and cultures. -- DianaScimone, author, Adventures With PawPaw

I help academics with limited practical business knowledge to take their research and get it applied

in the private sector. -- Andrew Neitlich, operator of Institute for Business Growth

Ashima Arts tools for game developers and publishers allow them to create much more

entertainment for much less money. The tools automate many of the manual-labor processes that

today add millions of dollars in production costs. They allow games to be played on any platform,

take full advantage of cloud computing and automatically create complex environments, weather

and social interactions for a constantly-evolving player experience that is always new. -- Todd

Dunning, chief marketing manager of Ashima Arts

Did you know Baskervill is the oldest architectural firm on the East Coast and was established in

1897? This type of longevity doesnt happen by accident. Our reputation and client-focused service

have enabled our continued success. We have been shaping the face of Richmond and the nation for

over 113 years. Dont let our age fool you; we dont look or act a day over 28. Have you consideredusing a local architect? -- Tracey Gould, marketing director of Baskervill

6 Steps to Take before Starting a Business.doc

Documents

Transcript of 6 Steps to Take before Starting a Business.doc