How To Come Up With A Business Idea
Theres nothing more frustrating than wanting to start your own business, but not having the right idea. Maybe youve come up with several ideas, but not hit on the one thats right for you yet. Maybe youve come up with an idea, but been put off it by the poor reaction from people youve told or seen someone else start up your idea.
Weve put together this fact sheet to give you some techniques you can use to find the right idea for you, but when you do come up with the right idea, remember:
People in general are very negative. You will always find someone who says What if or That will never work or something similar and this can be hard when the person who is saying this is those close to you. Thats why youve got to believe in your idea enough to say I can do this.
Dont be put off by competition. Competition is a good thing it shows theres a market for a business idea. You can always do it better, quicker, or differently than someone else. All is not lost with your idea just because someone else has decided to do it too.
Ways to come up with a business idea
To use these techniques, youll need to get your creative hat on. Forget about the little voice in your head that says thats a silly idea and get everything you think of down on paper. You can always dismiss them later. Work with a friend or family member if it helps sometimes two or more people can be more creative than one.
TECHNIQUE 1: WHAT CANT YOU BUY?
Have a think about what you have seen abroad that you cant buy here or what you have seen here that you cant buy abroad? What did you used to be able to buy but you cant buy it now? What have you tried to buy and found that it wasnt available?
Examples could be:
Toilet seat covers that they have in the US. I havent seen them very often over here.
Shoes for different sized feet.
Pet movers to take the stress out of moving a pet to a new house.
TECHNIQUE 2: WHAT OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN CREATED BY CHANGE?
We live in a different world now we have no time anymore and it feels like a scarier place. What business ideas could you think of to help?
Examples could be:
How about a device that could fit into a watch so parents could see where their children are on a map?
PA to pick up your dry cleaner, pay your bills and organise your builder.
TECHNIQUE 3: WHERE CAN YOU MEET CUSTOMERS?
Think about where you can meet customers: at home, mail order, internet, shows and events, workplace, agents, on wheels, phone what business ideas would help you to reach customers in this way?
Examples could be:
Language lessons by phone
Window cleaning thats guaranteed.
A caf where you can order food on-line and have it delivered to your desk.
Mobile fancy dress to the customer.
TECHNIQUE 4: WHAT TRADES NEED UPDATING?
What trades can you think of that have been around for a while and are very traditional. Could you update them?
Examples could be:
Hairdressers with wine bars inside them
PA specialising in builders that could handle their quotes and paperwork
Car mechanics that are in the style of a hospital
TECHNIQUE 5: ADAPT A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IDEA
Look at businesses that are successful how could you adapt them? Could you apply this idea to another business?
Examples could be:
A fine artist who makes sculptures out of chocolate
Mobiles are successful, but not many people know how to use the new technology could you train people how to use them and other technologies?
TECHNIQUE 6: BUSINESSES IN TROUBLE
Just because a business is in trouble, doesnt mean that it would be if you ran it. What businesses do you like the concept of and can you provide a solution for?
Examples could be:
Amazon selling books/CDs etc on-line rather than on the high street
Ebay solving the problem of unwanted goods
TECHNIQUE 7: WHAT IRRITATES OR FRUSTRATES YOU?
What really annoys you? Could you provide a solution?
Examples could be:
Providing quizzes for people that are on-hold.
Solving the problem of noisy neighbours
TECHNIQUE 8: COMBINING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
How could you combine two existing products or services to make something new?
Examples could be:
Enabling people to order takeaway, a video & popcorn to be delivered to their home at a certain time.
Bar selling soft drinks and smoothies to kids.
TECHNIQUE 9: IMPROVE A PRODUCT OR SERVICE
Think of an example of a poor service how could you improve it?
Examples could be:
A site that will help you come up with a present for the person who has everything.
A restaurant where you can order meals by typing numbers into a keypad without speaking to anyone.
TECHNIQUE 10: BUY A FRANCHISE
Look at franchises for ideas for a business. Buy one or start your own version.
There are 800 franchises in existence. You can find many of the opportunities on franchise sites such as: http://www.british-franchise.org/
TECHIQUE 11: WHAT DO YOU SEE AROUND YOU?
Look around you. There are ideas for business ideas all around us what can you see?
Examples could be:
A restaurant that sells Starters and Desserts.
A caf that caters only for children.
TECHNIQUE 12: YOU!!
This is your secret weapon. Sit down with a group of friends or family and tell them about yourself. Pretend they dont know you. What things do you like / what dont you like? What hobbies and interests do you have?
Then get them to come up with some business ideas for youwhat can you think of?
Using these 12 techniques should help you to come up with a business idea that you feel is right for you. If not, keep looking or contact me on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk for some help. Well happily have a free, no obligation chat with you to see if we can help.
If you come up with an idea, the next step is to see whether or not its feasible and whether it will work. Thats also where we can help as we specialise in doing market research and writing business plans. Send me an email on helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk or give me a call on 0845 644 9371 to see if we can help.
Finally, dont be too concerned about coming up with the right idea that you never actually start a business. Remember you can always change a business if its not right for you it is your business after all.
Good luck and dont forget to let us know how youre getting on.
Author: Helen Dowling
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty tariff
