Does the idea of running your own business sound exciting? Do you have a business up and running and want to take it to the next level?
After coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs at various stages of their evolution, I've found that the answers to these 5 questions can make or break any endeavor. Of course there are lots of other areas that must be addressed, however these will get you moving in the right direction quickly.
Shhh, don't tell anyone. Once you have these answers, you've created a basic and relatively painless (dare I say it?) Down and Dirty Business Plan?.
Are you ready? Go for it!
1. What problem do you solve?
You MUST begin here. If you don't know what problem you solve, you don't have a snowball's chance. What real need do your potential customers/clients have that isn't be fully addressed yet? Where's their pain?
2. For whom do you solve it? or What is your niche?
In today's economy, the best (many say the only) way to market your goods or services is to be very specific about targeting your potential customers. You can locate them, they can find you, and others can refer to you. This is scary for most entrepreneurs because it means saying "No" to some people. Let it go. It works!
3. Who's your competition?
It's time to become a stealth researcher. Who else is doing anything like what you're doing? What's their niche? How do they market? What do they charge? How long have they been in business? How are they unique?
4. How will you market your business?
Study your competition. What's working for them? Model their success. Improve it. Think outside the box. Where does your niche hang out? Will you network, place ads in local papers, or do some PR? How about using Google pay per clicks?
5. Why you?
Why will your potential customers go to you instead of the competition? What makes you uniquely qualified to solve their problem(s)? Is there a specific solution you have that they don't? Can you be more cost effective and/or efficient? Is your service unparalleled? If you don't know why they'd choose you, your market won't know why either!
So there you have it - your Down and Dirty Business Plan?. Feel free to revisit your answers and tweak them as you take in new information and experiences.
Take care of business and remember to have fun! Suz
Since 1992, Suzan Fiskin has loved being a Master Coach for ADD-ish entrepreneurs (and most entrepreneurs are ADD-ish!) as well as a motivational speaker http://www.motivationalspeaker.com She served on the Boards of the Forum of Women Entrepreneurs, Association of Women in Technology and the Professional Coaches and Mentors Association. She has a free online assessment, bi-weekly teleconference calls and a number of other resources for ADD-ish entrepreneurs on her website http://www.ADD-ish.com

Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!Thought for the day:"It is not easy being... Read More
1) No Umbrella Business Plan or Strategy -- Without a... Read More
Jones was a typical entrepreneur who worked long hours and... Read More
You have decided to strike it out on your own... Read More
Discover the pitfalls of owning your own business BEFORE... [you... Read More
It is only natural that when you start a business,... Read More
Last week I was working with one of my small... Read More
Not everyone is cut out to run a business. Not... Read More
One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is... Read More
I've seen terrible images today on the television and internet-bodies... Read More
If you believe that every little bit helps then keep... Read More
What's a niche?Dictionary.com provides a great, twofold definition:"A situation or... Read More
A recent poll conducted by Forbes magazine shows that majority... Read More
The successful entrepreneur is generally more inclined, once a business... Read More
Use this comprehensive checklist to plan each step of your... Read More
What is it that sets a successful businessperson apart from... Read More
Enjoying the title of entrepreneur is a hollow feeling.If you... Read More
Whether you are just starting your business or focusing on... Read More
I just arrived back from the best seminar I have... Read More
Implementing changes, even when they're good for your business, can... Read More
It's very important to get your business name right. You... Read More
Recently my bank opened a new branch that is a... Read More
SUCCESSFUL Solo-Entrepreneurs approach life and business from a perspective that... Read More
Our client in Chicago did, located right outside downtown too...a... Read More
I recently read a magazine article about Andrew, a 42-year... Read More
James had an original concept and he needed an investor.... Read More
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to... Read More
Cooking isn't much different than building a business. You have... Read More
To morning commuters, the hulking truck encircled with barricades and... Read More
What I've discovered from most of my small business clients... Read More
Successful business owners and managers need to be very clear... Read More
I hear it all the time. "What should I do... Read More
Will I be successful as a franchisee?One of the soundest... Read More
An entrepreneur is an innovator. She sees a need in... Read More
SUCCESSFUL Solo-Entrepreneurs approach life and business from a perspective that... Read More
If you have a business idea, or an idea for... Read More
If you want to make big money, you have to... Read More
Q: I'm thinking about starting a business since that seems... Read More
Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in New York and... Read More
1. Isolating Yourself When setting up a business, you can... Read More
Did you know that thousands of companies from all over... Read More
So many people work their whole life to make money,... Read More
I recently took an entrepreneurial quiz which evaluated my answers... Read More
Enjoying the title of entrepreneur is a hollow feeling.If you... Read More
Entrepreneurship is a great magnet to deliver new ideas, unique... Read More
When you buy a business, you should have a plan.... Read More
In the popular 1980's movie "Dune," man learned that by... Read More
In my last article, "Follow That Guru", I told you... Read More
Entrepreneurial e-gnorancePart 1: Questions for the entrepreneur to beIf you... Read More
When's the last time someone asked you: "What's new?" If... Read More
Answering Service ResourceAnswering Service Resource |