Why do people start small businesses? The most frequently cited motivation for business start-ups is to allow the entrepreneur to achieve independence; money is secondary. Is this surprising? The other reasons named most often are that an opportunity presented itself Cheap New England Patriots Jerseys , a person took over the family business, or the person simply wanted to be an entrepreneur. Identify your motivation.
For context, what reasons might people offer for joining a large corporation? For choosing a government career? A union job? Certainly, many people desire security, fringe benefits Jake Bailey Patriots Jersey , and a predictable career 'trajectory.?
What kinds of people start businesses? Their skills are seldom different from those of people who succeed at working for others. The more successful entrepreneurs tend to be proactive, assertive, and highly observant. They are efficient, quality-conscious, and good at planning and procedures. As business operators Hjalte Froholdt Patriots Jersey , they are committed to "partnership" with employees, customers, suppliers, and their community. Would these skills or personality traits lead to success at any professional pursuit?
Most entrepreneurs value control, freedom Yodny Cajuste Patriots Jersey , flexibility; and self-reliance. They generally desire responsibility and personal fulfillment. Most entrepreneurs are not "gamblers;" they have a preference for moderate risk (What is the largest financial risk that you would consider moderate?). They are always searching for opportunities, and willing to pursue some.
These are merely general characteristics. How might we apply them to our own fitness for, and commitment to, the entrepreneurial lifestyle? We need to ask ourselves some tough questions:
Do I really want to start or own a business? What are my real reasons for considering going into business? The motivation must be strong enough to sustain you when the excitement of the startup has passed, and the everyday grind begins.
Is there a product or service that fits my talents or desires? How should I address the opportunity? About 65% of new businesses are startups Damien Harris Patriots Jersey , 30% purchases of existing businesses, with the remainder inherited, promoted or otherwise brought into ownership. About 11% of the businesses operate under a franchise name.
Am I ready yet? Why do you think so many new business founders are in their 30s? Perhaps it is because they have enough experience to be confident, yet are still flexible enough to take some risk. Do you think entrepreneurs are born (demanding parents, ethnic tradition) or made? Is it for you? If so Chase Winovich Patriots Jersey , identify what additional skills or knowledge would increase your readiness.
For women and minorities, there are additional considerations relevant to their chances of success. Do they have to be "better" to make it, or is entrepreneurship the only true meritocracy? Is any disadvantage only at startup?
Do I have an adequate support structure? If you have a spouse, or are relying on some other form of family support, make sure that they understand the sacrifices involved and the pressures these will put on relationships.
Can I place developing this business over other interests and goals for the foreseeable future? Am I willing to take on the personal demands of entrepreneurship? For example Joejuan Williams Patriots Jersey , can I work a full day as an employee of another firm, then work at my coffee shop evenings and weekends until it can support me full-time? There is more to life than work, and maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle can be a challenge for the self-employed.
Can I muster the resources to make the venture a success? Do I respond well to continuous pressure? Once I make the venture a full-time pursuit, can I live without a regular paycheck, a predictable work schedule N'Keal Harry Patriots Jersey , and for a while without vacations and other benefits? Even after startup, business concerns seldom end when you lock the door at closing time. Am I prepared for the possibility that I might lose my money and property, and damage my health and self-respect?
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, only those that best reflect your feelings on these issues. Similarly, if your feelings indicate that you should not take the entrepreneurial path Jarrett Stidham Patriots Jersey , it is certainly not a sign of weakness or any other sort of deficiency. It is more likely a decision that reflects the best life-work balance for you.
How To Get More Visitors To Your Web Site Marketing Articles | March 2, 2005
When you were five or ten years old you may have played the game of hide and seek where the object was to avoid being found. The longer you could stay hidden and the harder it was to be discovered the better.
As a business owner or someone responsible for marketing a business you want to do the opposite. Instead of remaining hidden from view, you want to make it as easy as possible for members of your target market to find you again and again.
You may have a PhD, worked for big name clients, provide outstanding service or have a new ground breaking product but if people can't find you it is tough to build revenue. What you want is to be found so prospects contact you and you can convert them to client status.
What happens when someone is looking for a new product or service? More and more customers and consumers use the internet to search for the goods and services they need Sony Michel Patriots Jersey , to the point that 'google' has become a verb. They may also use the search engines provided by Yahoo, AOL and MSN.
A prospect types in a set of keywords, your name or your company name into a search engine, with Google being used by far the most frequently. Can they find your website? Go to www.Google and try the following three tests: