 |
  |
|
Key Terms
Questions
Activities
Questions and Answers on Small BusinessWhy not speak with the newspaper editor about a joint venture, since he or she is probably also interested in reaching a younger market? Perhaps, you can write a column on popular music, including heavy metal and rap. You should also check the demographics of your local radio stations. You might find advertising opportunities there. Again, ask about the possibility of being a resident music expert. Maybe, you can call in with a weekly Top Ten list. Also, call your local cable TV provider and ask about programs that might offer advertising or interviewing opportunities for you and your business. If you are really adventurous, find out about leased and public access cable opportunities for you to produce your own music program featuring local bands. Become involved with the high schools, trade schools, and colleges in your area, and look for opportunities to sponsor musical events and to run music promotions. I'm interested in running a business that's not too difficult, and I was thinking about perhaps a mail order business from my home. How is this type of business different from others that you write about? As always, you will follow the three principles: First, offer a quality product or service that the market demands and charge a fair price. You will have to depend on your research to find a product or products that are suitable to mail order sales. You will have to determine an appropriate price which includes, but is not necessarily limited to, your wholesale costs, advertising, postage, office expenses, salaries with benefits, and profit. You will have to test various ads in various publications, or you will have to direct mail from a mailing list which you purchase. Your next steps will be fulfillment of orders and accounting. Next, if you intend to receive repeat sales, don't forget to apply principle two and appreciate your customers by acknowledging orders with a thank you and by asking for more business. You will want to offer follow-up products to supplement your original offering. Lastly, apply the principle of copying success by finding successful mail order companies so that you can copy their strategies. Also, find and become involved in the mail order industry by joining various industry associations. You might find what you are looking for in mail order, but your research might show that the work required is as extensive as for most other types of businesses. I can't say that I've made very much of my life up until now, but now I want to accomplish something. I've heard you say that you can look at your boss, and if you can do what he's doing, you should go for it. I'm working for this landscaping company and the boss makes plenty, but he's no genius. Is there any hope for me? I'm not starting with much. It certainly sounds like your time has come. If you have the perseverance to work your way through the Winning With Small Business course and to do the activities, you should be in good shape to begin forging a new life for yourself and your family. To get started in the landscaping business, you need a lawn mower and the courage to knock on a door and say, "May I mow your lawn?" If the answer is "No", you go to the next door and then to the next. If you do this, in a very short period of time you will hear "Yes". You mow the lawn, you do a good job, and you charge a fair price. You can ask the homeowner if there are other landscaping jobs that you can do. You can ask for a testimonial. You can ask for a referral. You can ask if you can come back in a week or two and mow the lawn again. At the end of week one, you'll have a few dollars in your pocket. Keep some and reinvest some back into your business. Maybe you'll have business cards printed and a book of Thank You notes to send to your customers. The following week have a list of your landscaping services typed and photocopied. The next week have a sign painted that you can put on the front lawn to advertise your company. In a month or two, you'll be ready to lease a small truck. In six months, you'll be buying new equipment and hiring help. Go for it. Booksby Michael Gill, Sheila Paterson, Sheila Patterson (1998) (272 pages) Filled with frank information, motivating support, and cautionary advice about how to start out on your own successfully, while avoiding common mistakes. Readers will learn such power principles as: - how to fire up your business dreams - how worriers make winners - how to build your own brand - how to pick a partner - the difference between the quick and the dead. The Flexible Enterprise: How to Reinvent Your Company, Unlock Your Strengths, and Prosper in a Changing World by David Gewirtz (1996) (262 pages) Discover how a more flexible enterprise enables you to develop your own, unique-to-your- company tools, skills, and processes for managing - and even causing - change; redefine your company based on its strengths; reduce your dependency on a single product line or marketing channel; develop new products that are more finely tuned to market needs; manage cash more effectively; streamline operational and manufacturing processes; and motivate and inspire your staff. Franchise Bible: How to Buy a Franchise or Franchise Your Own Business by Erwin J. Keup, Vickie Reierson (1995) (314 pages) The book will familiarize you with the terms and conditions of a franchise agreement which both franchisees and franchisors should be aware of, and what information you must provide if you are to be a franchisor. Franchise Bible helps you: - Determine whether you would make a suitable franchisor or franchisee. - Decide if your best course of action is to buy a franchise or start your own (unfranchised) business. - Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the franchise marketing system. - Familiarize yourself with the offering circular and what items it should contain. - Consider expanding your current business by franchising. The Frugal Entrepreneur: Creative Ways to Save Time, Energy & Money in Your Business by Terri Lonier (1996) Using creativity instead of cash to generate business success. This upbeat, practical collection contains hundreds of tips and techniques from some of the savviest frugal entrepreneurs around. It's brimming with secrets on: - Breakthrough techniques to save you time, energy, and money Insider tips on stretching your printing and promotion dollars - How to create million-dollar marketing on a shoestring - Finding low-cost -- and free! -- business equipment and supplies - Strategies to negotiate the best discounts every time - New methods to slash budget-busting overhead, telephone, and travel costs - Innovative ways to get the most out of each day. Get a Life! Start Your Home-Based Business Now: One Action Step at a Time by Sheila Robbins (1997) (252 pages) Over 50 action steps for starting your home-based business. Learn how to do it fast, do it for less, and do it right while you develop a practical business plan. Real-life case studies, forms and checklists you can use right now. A consultant to carry with you as you put your business together or get your established business on track for growth and profit. 
Government Resources
Go to Lesson Five1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6Index
|
|
 |
© Copyright 1994-2008, American Success Institute. The Action Principles® is a registered trademark of the American Success Institute. We are a nonprofit research, publishing, and educational corporation headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts. |
 |