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A business idea is aconceptwhich can be used forcommercialpurposes. It typically centers around

acommodityorservicethat can be sold for money, according to a unique model.

There are several methods for developing and testing a business idea. The ability to come up with a

business idea can be transformed into a viable business, where ideas supported by feasibility and a

business plan can then be sold to interested investors, firms, and interested parties for a lump sum or a

management contract, or as agreed. Business ideas, if introduced at the right time, when demand for

such service or a product introduced by the idea is expected to surge, can lead to a very profitable

business. Business ideas are always available through different sources; however, it is the application

applied on these ideas, and timing makes all the difference in failure or success.

What is a business idea?

A successful company always starts with a compelling business idea. Its the first milestone in the processof founding a growth company. The characteristics of a promising business idea are:

Fulfills a customer need a problem is solved

Innovative

Unique

Clear focus

Profitable in the long term

Each idea, no matter how brilliant, initially has no commercial value. A plausibility check gives moreinformation about an ideas chances in the marketplace and helps to check its feasibility and innovativecontent.

What is innovative?

The term innovative is usually applied to new products or services produced with conventional productionmethods and delivered to customers via conventional distribution channels. (Example: the surfboardmanufacturer Mistral uses existing sports shops for distribution).

Innovation, however, can also refer to the entire business system. It is less obvious, but equallyimportant. (Example: Fedex revolutionized letter post through central sorting and 24-hour operation).

The development of new products and/or services usually focuses on improving customer benefit.Business system innovations, on the other hand, focus on lowering costs, and these gains can then, tosome extent, be passed on to the customer in the form of lower prices.

Its rare that innovations combine both dimensions, i.e., product and business system, to create anentirely new industry.

What defines a convincing business idea?

A business idea is addressed to an investor and, therefore, must be formulated with the investorsperspective in mind. Its neither an advertising brochure for aningenious product nor a technicaldescription. Rather, it is a decision support document that emphasizes three aspects:

Customer benefitWhat is the customer benefit, what problem will be solved?The key to marketing success is not superb products its satisfied customers. Customers buy to satisfya need, or to solve a problem, e.g., food and drink, something that makes work easier, to enhance theirwellbeing or self-esteem, etc. The first principle of a successful business idea is, therefore, that it clearlydescribes the need that will be satisfied and in which form (product, service). In this context, marketing

practitioners refer to a Unique Selling Proposition.

MarketWhat is the market?A business idea only has commercial value when the market accepts it. The second principle of asuccessful business idea, therefore, is that it shows how large the market is for the product or serviceoffered, for which target group(s) it is meant and how it differentiates itself from the competition.

Revenue mechanismHow is the money to be earned? A business must be profitable long term. The third principle of a successful business idea is, therefore,that it shows how much money can be earned with it and how the money will be earned.

A checklist regarding the content and form of a business idea and further practical tools is availablehere.

8 Good Sources of Business IdeasPosted inEntrepreneurshipByOlufisayoOn November 4, 2010

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There are millions of entrepreneurs throughout the world and their testimonies suggest that there are many potential

sources of business ideas. Some of the more useful ones are outlined below.

Hobbies/Interests

A hobby is a favorite leisure-time activity or occupation. Many people, in pursuit of their hobbies or interests, have

founded businesses. If, for example, you enjoy playing with computers, cooking, music, traveling, sport

or performing, to name but a few, you may be able to develop it into a business. To illustrate this, if you enjoy

traveling, performing and/or hospitality, you may consider going into tourism which is one of the biggest

industries in the world.

Personal Skills and ExperienceOver half of the ideas for successful businesses come from experiences in the work place, e.g. a mechanic with

experience in working for a large garage who eventually sets up his/her own car repair or a used car business. Thus,

the background of potential entrepreneurs plays a crucial role in the decision to go into business as well as the type

of venture to be created. Your skills and experience are probably your most important resource, not only in

generating ideas but also in capitalizing on them.

Franchises

A franchise is an arrangement whereby the manufacturer or sole distributor of a trademark, product or service gives

exclusive rights for local distribution to independent retailers in return for their payment of royalties and conformity

to standardized operating procedures. Franchising may take several forms, but the one of interest is the type that

offers a name, image, method of doing business and operating procedures.

In the 1980s and early franchising experienced tremendous growth, becoming a much- used method of going intobusiness for the millions of enterprises that were starting up in the USA and Europe. In the USA alone, there are

over 2,000 types of franchise businesses, accounting for over US$300 billion in annual sales revenue and about a

third of all retail sales. Apart from buying a franchise, one can also develop and sell a franchise concept. There are

many directories and handbooks as well as associations, including the International Franchise Association, which

can provide further information.

Mass Media

The mass media is a great source of information, ideas and often opportunity. Newspapers, magazines, television,

and nowadays the Internet are all examples of mass media. Take a careful look, for example, at the commercial

advertisements in newspaper or magazine and you may well find businesses for sale. Well, one way to become an

entrepreneur is to respond to such an offer.

Articles in the printed press or on the Internet or documentaries on television may report on changes in fashions orconsumer needs. For example, you may read or hear that people are now increasingly interested in healthy eating or

physical fitness.

You may also find advertisements calling for the provision of certain services based on skills, for example

accounting, catering or security. Or you may discover a new concept for which investors are required, such as a

franchise.

Exhibitions

Another way to find the ideas for a business is to attend exhibitions and trade fairs. These are usually advertised on

the radio or in newspapers; by visiting such events regularly, you will not only discover new products and services,

but you will also meet sales representatives, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and franchisers. These are

often excellent sources of business ideas, information and help in getting started. Some of them may also be looking

for someone just like you.Surveys

The focal point for a new business idea should be the customer. The needs and wants of the customer, which provide

the rational for a product or service, can be ascertained through a survey. Such a survey might be conducted

informally or formally by talking to peopleusually using a questionnaire or through interviewsand/or through

observation.

You may start by talking to your family and friends to find out what they think is needed or wanted that is not

available. Or, for example, whether they are dissatisfied with an existing product or service and what improvements

or changes they would like to see.

You can then move on and talk to people who are part of the distribution chain that is manufacturers, wholesalers,

distributors, agents and retailers. It would be useful to prepare beforehand a set of questions which might be put on a

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questionnaire or used in an interview. Given their close contact with customers, channel members have a good sense

of what is required and what will not sell. Finally, you should talk to as many customers as possible both existing

and potential customers. The more information you can get from them, the better.

Besides talking to people, you could also get information through observation. For example, in deciding whether to

open a shop on a particular street, you can observe and count the number of people going past on given days and

besides talking to people, you can also get information through observation. For example, in deciding whether to

open a shop on a particular street, you can observe and count the number of people going past on given days and

compare these to other sites.

Or, if you are interested in an area frequented by tourists, you ma be able to set up or market products from a craftbusiness. Or you may have noticed that there is no decent restaurant or hotel on a tourist route or in a given town.

One way of ensuring that you are not negligent in this area is to be alert at all times to needs and opportunities to do

business. One entrepreneur apparently went round at every cocktail party asking if anyone was using a product that

did not adequately fulfill its intended purpose. Another monitored the toys of a relatives children looking for ideas

for a market ruche.

Complaints

Complaints and frustrations on the part of customers have led to many a new product or service. Whenever

consumers complain bitterly about a product or service, or when you hear someone say I wish there was or If

only there were a product/service that could , you have the potential for a business idea. The idea could be to set

up a rival firm offering a better product or service, or it might be a new product or service which could be sold to the

firm in question and/or to others.Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a technique or creative problem-solving as well as for generating ideas. The object is to come up

with as many ideas as possible. It usually starts with a question or problem statement. For example, you may ask

What are the products and services needed in the home today which are not available? Each idea leads to one or

more additional ideas, resulting in a good number.

When using this method, you need to follow these four rules:

Dont criticize or judge the ideas of others

Freewheeling is encouraged ideas that seem to be wild or crazy are welcome

Quantity is desirable the greater the number of ideas, the better

Combine and improve upon the ideas of others

Reasons for generating business ideas: Business idea generation is a sine-qua-non (inevitable) for business.

Ideas are generated to respond to market needs

Ideas are also generated to respond to changing fashions and requirements.

In order to stay ahead of competition

To be in tune with latest technology so as to do things better.

In response to product life cycle

In order to spread risk and allow for failure.

feasibility studyA feasibility study is an evaluation and analysis of the potential of the proposed project which is basedon extensive investigation and research to give full comfort to the decisions makers.

[citation needed]Feasibility

studies aim to objectively and rationally uncover the strengths and weaknesses of an existing business orproposed venture, opportunities and threats as presented by the environment, theresourcesrequired tocarry through, and ultimately the prospects forsuccess.

[1][2]In its simplest terms, the two criteria to judge

feasibility arecostrequired andvalueto be attained.[3]

As such, a well-designed feasibility study shouldprovide a historical background of the business or project, description of theproductorservice,accounting statements, details of theoperationsandmanagement,marketing researchand policies,financial data, legal requirements and tax obligations.

[1]Generally, feasibility studies precede technical

development andprojectimplementation.

A Feasibility Report is simply a Business Plan. Feasibility Report is a detailed study that examines the

profitability, feasibility and effectiveness of a proposed investment opportunity.

The report, no matter how elaborate, should be prepared before one undertakes any business or expands

the existing one. Feasibility Report can be prepared by the prospective investor or consultancy firms who

charge fees depending on the value of the project and how elaborate is the proposed investment

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opportunity. Based on theFeasibility Report, the entrepreneur can decide to accept or reject the project. If

the project is viable and acceptable, the entrepreneur has to estimate initial capital outlay and decide on

where and how to raise the funds.

The Uses of Feasibility Report

The Feasibility Report can be used by the entrepreneur in the following areas:

o To meet the stipulated requirements of financial institutions. For instance, banks and other financial institutions

giving loans to start a business executives demands for aFeasibility Report of the proposed investment.

o To provide the basic information for effective decision making with respect to the proposed investment. By showing

the market potentialities, technical and financial implications of the proposed opportunities, the feasibility

report enable the entrepreneur to accept or reject the project.

o To assist the entrepreneur in developing future plans for the organization.

o To serve as the basic for measuring the performance of the proposed business.