TIPS ON STARTING ANY BUSINESS_episode 1

Introduction

In any venture where success is obviously desired, there are some underlying principles or rules that govern all activities that culminate into a success story. Any business/enterprise either large scale or small scale started from a proton of an idea, this idea was then nurtured through time. Winning and losing in any venture are guided by principles which determine whether the end product is either as a win or loss. In this article, a few reliable, time-tested suggestions are given in the form of guidelines, should one desire to start a business. These guidelines have been kept simple but are very effective.  In order to follow these guidelines meaningfully, they are put into five categories as conceiving an idea, developing the idea, acting on the idea, evaluation and dominance.

• Conceiving an idea

This is where we engage/activate our intellect into scanning from within to without. Scanning from within here means to first consider what you can solve in the immediate environment, while without indicates looking beyond. Its paramount to note that, a marketable idea is either a problem solving idea or one which adds value to an existing idea. Today, just by examining our immediate societies, an idea of solving a particular problem could be conceived. Until we identify various problems around us and think about solutions or think on bettering any existing solutions, NO NEW BUSINESS takes place.

For example, in my immediate community in Ghana, I realized people kept travelling far distances to get cement for various construction or building projects. I identified that as a problem and in solving that a mini cement store has been created. Bulk cements are obtained from the manufactures and are retailed from my store at competitive prices. This has been an avenue for income generation and job creation for people who load and offload the cement products. Let me emphasize that, conceiving an idea just requires that you put your thinking cap on, be smart to identify problems either within your immediate domain or beyond. Now once you have conceived an idea, the idea can be described as the foetus in the womb of a woman. The foetus needs to develop; this takes us to the next phase of developing the conceived idea.

 Take home: As you walk around or visit places, take the opportunity to study the daily lives of people. Recognize it as a great opportunity to get new ideas on what people are doing different and how you can adopt different ideas with added value. Other avenues for getting ideas include reading certain business books, listening to various tapes, watching business documentaries and attending business seminars.

Can you imagine the numerous ideas that have slipped by you without realizing that they were opportunities open for you?

Next episode: Developing & acting on the idea, join SamNunoo@ onthenavigator.com