Business Startup

fifomania

Is it a good time for getting in to business? Having never done a business course, would it be advisable to do one before starting out? Anyone know of any good sites for generating business ideas etc? THanks

Darragh29

fifomania wrote: »

Is it a good time for getting in to business? Having never done a business course, would it be advisable to do one before starting out? Anyone know of any good sites for generating business ideas etc? THanks

Well it's the best time I've seen in many years for starting up! But you'd need to have some idea of what you want to do, that would be broadly consistent with your skills and abilities...

janullrich

I agree. This is the best time to start off your own business. I am looking to set up my own tourism company starting small time off first of all. The king is repeat business, the customer is king and word of month. I think the recession is showing that. My last company where I was laid off last month thought that the celtic tiger would never end and never dealt with complaints or anything. Now that we are in recession it is biting them where it really hurts.

YellowSheep

Hi Fifo. What do you have in mind? Oliver

Darragh29

janullrich wrote: »

I agree. This is the best time to start off your own business. I am looking to set up my own tourism company starting small time off first of all. The king is repeat business, the customer is king and word of month. I think the recession is showing that. My last company where I was laid off last month thought that the celtic tiger would never end and never dealt with complaints or anything. Now that we are in recession it is biting them where it really hurts.

This is an excellent point. Many operators out there now cannot cope with a recession, because they've had it so easy in recent years... I'm seeing it a lot in the motor industry, folks who were p*ssing their money all over town in recent years are like a rabbit stuck in the headlights now.

Sabre0001

Some business sectors will struggle in these times but it can be a good time. Do you have any idea what you want to do? Brainstorming is a must - gather all the ideas and then you can start crossing off the ones that aren't feasible and so on...

Google can be helpful - at least to cross off ones that exist / have too much competition. Sometimes the best ideas can be the simple ones or the ones that are solutions to every day problems.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I am still in the process of starting my own little business, I have done all the pricing of materials I need, looked at numerous websites and come up with some interesting ideas. I have done some market research, not too much but it is mainly to do with what is a fair price to charge. I would like to do more market research and find out if there is anyone in my area doing the same job. As my community is quite small and tight nit, they may already have someone for the job.

I have been pretty hesitant lately as to purchase the equipment. If I get no business I will not be in a good position. What I have decided to do is print off some leaflets, put up notices in shops and hopefully I will get some calls. This way I won't be investing too much in the beginning and I can then plan what exactly I will need.

If you can, do some market research, it would be horrible to put lots of time and effort into your business and then find out that there is no market for it. Also find out what other companies are charging, my tactic to gain entry to the local market is to charge less and guarantee a professional approach. You could try to differenciate from competition, do something differant, use differant materials, offer extra services even opening your business outside normal business hours may help (halifax opening on a saturday, only bank to do that in Ireland so far). This can be difficult. It was for me since I have minimum resources.

I have done some courses in business, I am no professional but if you have any questions and I can answer them, I would be more than happy to.

The hardest part is getting out there and just doing it. I will give you the advice I got from another boardsie, forget the begrudgers. There are people out there that will tell you your product will not work, that it is a silly idea etc etc, just ignore them and keep at it.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever it is you are thinking of doing

swanvill

Hi I have some suggestions that you might find helpful.
I would suggest that you might check out your local county enterprise board (CEB) for courses, mentoring & finance. CEB specialise in helping micro businesses get up and going.
It might not be a bad idea to do a business plan which will focus you on what you want to do.
Also you should investigate if you can any funding from FAS or Social Welfare and there is always 'Seed capital Relief' scheme from the Revenue which you might qualify for.

Good luck with your start up

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros wrote: »

The hardest part is getting out there and just doing it. I will give you the advice I got from another boardsie, forget the begrudgers. There are people out there that will tell you your product will not work, that it is a silly idea etc etc, just ignore them and keep at it.

Those people may have a point though and to ignore their advice (even if you don't like it) is not always the best option. The best thing to do is take all the negatives people make of your business idea and then try prove them wrong. That way the people who have criticised your idea will be helping you out i.e. turning a negative "Your business idea won't work" into a positive "Well hey, I got the market research that says otherwise".

Just because someone says an idea is crap doesn't mean it's not advice. I'd rather be told "Your idea is **** and here is why" for me to try prove them wrong rather than be told "Yeah, your idea is great! Go for it". I'd much rather iron out every conceivable fault to try make my idea work.

So my point is, if you have been told your idea is not great, find out why and prove them wrong. Facts!

elgransenor

Deleted User wrote: »

Those people may have a point though and to ignore their advice (even if you don't like it) is not always the best option. The best thing to do is take all the negatives people make of your business idea and then try prove them wrong. That way the people who have criticised your idea will be helping you out i.e. turning a negative "Your business idea won't work" into a positive "Well hey, I got the market research that says otherwise".

Just because someone says an idea is crap doesn't mean it's not advice. I'd rather be told "Your idea is **** and here is why" for me to try prove them wrong rather than be told "Yeah, your idea is great! Go for it". I'd much rather iron out every conceivable fault to try make my idea work.

So my point is, if you have been told your idea is not great, find out why and prove them wrong. Facts!

With all due respect setting out to prove people wrong is not a great objective to have as in my view it queers your judgement.

Maybe they are right,maybe the idea is ****e.

Think dispassionately and rationally and do your research.

But finding one piece of research to support your position and then setting out to prove people wrong is counterproductive.

Look at all the evidence,then decide.

elgransenor

elgransenor wrote: »

With all due respect setting out to prove people wrong is not a great objective to have as in my view it queers your judgement.

Maybe they are right,maybe the idea is ****e.

Think dispassionately and rationally and do your research.

But finding one piece of research to support your position and then setting out to prove people wrong is counterproductive.

Look at all the evidence,then decide.

I don't think so. If someone is going to be "passionate" enough about their "idea" to ignore people who are telling them that their idea is crap and won't work etc, they will waste lots of money when the reality occurs and their business has failed and they have lost lots of money and the truth comes out that their business really was crap and useless. My point is if people are telling you that your idea is crap, to not take it personally or let your blindness and enthusiasm cover the truth but to try get the answers to prove it will work (market research, business plan etc) as this shows that you have thought out your business properly. There will always be people who will automatically dismiss your idea/business but that is reality. I think the people who say it won't work and why are vital to any business as they are effectively helping you.

One thing you said I do agree with and goes hand in hand with my point is "Look at all the evidence, then decide" which is my point is all about.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

If someone states WHY your idea will not work, then fine. Saying it won't work, and for no reason is what I am talking about. I was told that my idea would not work because we are in a recession... Not exactly advice is it? And I don't believe in doing something just because I am told that it won't work, proving people they are wrong is not the best approach.

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros wrote: »

If someone states WHY your idea will not work, then fine. Saying it won't work, and for no reason is what I am talking about. I was told that my idea would not work because we are in a recession... Not exactly advice is it? And I don't believe in doing something just because I am told that it won't work, proving people they are wrong is not the best approach.

I remember reading your thread, did you do what Darragh29 told you to do in the end? Knock on 20 doors and ask them about the services? That's helpful advice and at least you are getting information directly and straight to you so you can move on from this idea or go ahead with it quite quickly.

byrne0f56789

Depending on your business it may be better to just go ahead with it and learn from your mistakes along the way. Obviously, if you need to put a lot of money down and you need to buy expensive equipment and materials formal market research would be advisable.

However, if you deliver a service or are involved in software development. Formal market research is not needed. You can do your market research on the fly and make changes as you go.

With regard to courses on business, although many are good on finance and legalities, a lot of them are out of date with regard to marketing and may not relate to your business idea. We are in the single most turbulent time in marketing where the traditional forms of marketing are just not working and new forms of marketing must be adopted. The Internet is the best marketing tool for small business.

I would recommend that you read some of Seth Godin's books and check him out on YouTube. I can tell you that this guy knows where it's at.

Good Luck.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Deleted User wrote: »

I remember reading your thread, did you do what Darragh29 told you to do in the end? Knock on 20 doors and ask them about the services? That's helpful advice and at least you are getting information directly and straight to you so you can move on from this idea or go ahead with it quite quickly.

Hell no I didn't, that wasn't advice, that was pure rubbish. He said something like "I guarantee you if you knock on 20 houses 20 people will tell you to scram" or something like that.

I done my market research a differant way, but I am kinda in the process of doing more market research. It's not something I expected to happen over night.

Since my post I have talked to someone who was interested in joining me on my venture, but I will post that in my own thread as an update.

Earlier I stated to ignore begrudgers and all that, I did mean people who are just jealous, saying something without meaning, get me?

Darragh29

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros wrote: »

Hell no I didn't, that wasn't advice, that was pure rubbish. He said something like "I guarantee you if you knock on 20 houses 20 people will tell you to scram" or something like that.

I done my market research a differant way, but I am kinda in the process of doing more market research. It's not something I expected to happen over night.

Since my post I have talked to someone who was interested in joining me on my venture, but I will post that in my own thread as an update.

Earlier I stated to ignore begrudgers and all that, I did mean people who are just jealous, saying something without meaning, get me?

:rolleyes: We'll see how far this venture gets.

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros wrote: »

Hell no I didn't, that wasn't advice, that was pure rubbish. He said something like "I guarantee you if you knock on 20 houses 20 people will tell you to scram" or something like that.

I done my market research a differant way, but I am kinda in the process of doing more market research. It's not something I expected to happen over night.

Since my post I have talked to someone who was interested in joining me on my venture, but I will post that in my own thread as an update.

Earlier I stated to ignore begrudgers and all that, I did mean people who are just jealous, saying something without meaning, get me?

It wasn't bad advice, it was good advice. What way did you do your market research? Remember not to mask or phrase your market research in such a way that it "gives" you the answers you want.

Darragh29

There's little point in trying to advise or help that guy, you can't say anything to him but he thinks people are "begrudging" him, despite the fact that he has not yet started up anything that would cause people to act begrudingly towards him.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Deleted User wrote: »

It wasn't bad advice, it was good advice. What way did you do your market research? Remember not to mask or phrase your market research in such a way that it "gives" you the answers you want.

I know how to conduct market research, how I done it is not important, fact of the matter is, I done it, I found answers that allowed me to fairly price, find competitors in the areas I wish to work in. Wasn't difficult.

Darragh29 wrote: »

There's little point in trying to advise or help that guy, you can't say anything to him but he thinks people are "begrudging" him, despite the fact that he has not yet started up anything that would cause people to act begrudingly towards him.

Who gives a crap what you think? Your advice was crap, pure and utter rubbish. Simple as. I do not like you, I do not like your posts and your opinions, I rather not take your advice as I do not value it. How about that?

Darragh29 wrote: »

:rolleyes: We'll see how far this venture gets.

If you have anything important to say, please do, otherwise scram, your acting nothing short of a troll at this moment.

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros wrote: »

I know how to conduct market research, how I done it is not important, fact of the matter is, I done it, I found answers that allowed me to fairly price, find competitors in the areas I wish to work in. Wasn't difficult.

Woah calm down there. Glad you done did it.

Offy

I was on a program in 07 run by Enterprise Ireland and the Dep. of Ed. called the MWEP (Midland West Enterprise Program) which was a year long program for start-up companies. Talk to Enterprise Ireland, they have being doing this for a long time now and will tell you what support is available. DO NOT depend on any promises they make you, their goal is to make money and they do that by buying shares in companies when they are worth very little. They will however provide business contacts that can be invaluable. Keep doing market research, thats what makes and keeps companies successful. Watch the dragons den, its what you will have to go through when your looking for investors. Learn everything you can about the industry your involved in. If your unsure about anything the investors will exit stage left.

Darragh29

Enrique Microscopic Rhinoceros wrote: »

I know how to conduct market research, how I done it is not important, fact of the matter is, I done it, I found answers that allowed me to fairly price, find competitors in the areas I wish to work in. Wasn't difficult.

Who gives a crap what you think? Your advice was crap, pure and utter rubbish. Simple as. I do not like you, I do not like your posts and your opinions, I rather not take your advice as I do not value it. How about that?

If you have anything important to say, please do, otherwise scram, your acting nothing short of a troll at this moment.

I can tell you one thing, with the attitude that you have, you won't be going anywhere.

elgransenor

Darragh29 wrote: »

I can tell you one thing, with the attitude that you have, you won't be going anywhere.

That spelling won't help either.