It all starts with an idea. That simple four letter word that means everything for your new business.
This is how any great business starts. Now no-one is saying that it has to be an original idea. Many successful businesses have been built on the back of someone else’s originality; take the Coffee Business as a clear example.
In my work with startups I always encourage them to take a deep breath and spend some time working on the basics of their idea and their vision for it. Far too often they rush into the execution without properly considering where they’re going. It’s the equivalent of getting into your car, turning on the engine and setting off with no destination in mind.
The single most important thing about your idea is that you must believe in it, everything else is a secondary concern. If you believe in your idea you can find help elsewhere to fill in the gaps. No matter what you feel the gap in your knowledge is there is help and advice to be had but its only valuable if you have a clear vision for your business. Otherwise the advice, which you’re often paying for, will lead your idea and vision instead of helping you shape and refine it.
No matter what your business idea is, whether its online or offline, its always helpful to step outside yourself and look at the big picture. If it’s an online project then its helpful to visualize the end user experience and how your customers will interact with it. If it’s an offline business, the same applies; think about how your customer will be treated from the moment of their first interaction with your business.
By always looking at your idea from a customer perspective you’ll start your business as any good business should by putting your customer experience front and centre. Sometimes the hardest decisions in business are made easier by just putting yourself in your customers shoes and basing your decision on how you think it will affect your customer’s opinion of your business.
With your customer at the core of your business planning, you’re already on the right track to becoming the next big thing.
Flickr Gallery