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20 Questions to ask before you start your business.

7/22/2013

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I wrote a post a while ago, titled "Choosing the right business to start: Part 2". In the post I mentioned being realistic. Asking yourself the right questions is one of the keys to a successful business.

You have what you think is a great idea!  Now, ask yourself these 20 questions to make sure you’re thinking about the right key business decisions:


  1. Why am I starting a business?
  2. What kind of business do I want?
  3. Who is my ideal customer?
  4. What products or services will my business provide?
  5. Am I prepared to spend the time and money needed to get my business started?
  6. What differentiates my business idea and the products or services I will provide from others in the market?
  7. Where will my business be located?
  8. How many employees will I need?
  9. What types of suppliers do I need?
  10. How much money do I need to get started?
  11. Will I need to get a loan?
  12. How soon will it take before my products or services are available?
  13. How long do I have until I start making a profit?
  14. Who is my competition?
  15. How will I price my product compared to my competition?
  16. How will I set up the legal structure of my business?
  17. What taxes do I need to pay?
  18. What kind of insurance do I need?
  19. How will I manage my business?
  20. How will I advertise my business?
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About The Author


Vongai C Mudzamba 
Co-Founder Zimbabwe Entrepreneur Zone
Twitter: @vongzie


I am and always will be inspired to inspire.

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Choosing the right business to start: Part 2

2/12/2013

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I had to continue on the topic of choosing the right business to start because I think I made it sound a little bit scary. I mentioned in Part 1, starting a business is hard and that there are more chances of you failing than there are of you succeeding. So I couldn't just leave it at that. It's goes against my nature. I am here to inspire! 

Having said that, you have found something that you are PASSIONATE about... What now? Is it definitely the business idea to pursue? Will this one put your name on the map and leave a mark where you passed? Will this one be the one?

Well... not exactly! You need to do research and BE REALISTIC. Do people need this service/product? Will they pay for this? If they pay for it, how much will they pay? Will I make a profit? Will I cover all costs? How will you get people to buy your goods/service? Are there dominating competitors? Can you offer a better service/product than existing businesses? How will my business be different?  

More often than not, aspiring entrepreneurs fail because they did not look realistically at the market, competitors and basically the whole business idea. One good way to make sure you do not fall prey to this is to make a detailed business plan with an analysis of customers, suppliers, competitors and any laws that apply to your chosen business. While you draw up this plan and analyse the information, consider if this really is the idea that represents a solid business opportunity.

Be passionate. Be realistic. Be inspired!

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About The Author


Vongai C Mudzamba 
Co-Founder Zimbabwe Entrepreneur Zone
Twitter: @vongzie


I am and always will be inspired to inspire.

6 Comments

Choosing the right business to start: Part 1

2/11/2013

9 Comments

 
I get excited when people ask me questions about business! It really makes my day! Just last night I checked my Facebook messages, after like a few days of not checking and I found the most interesting question ever. 

                     "As an electrical engineer,which business can I do?"


What I find particularly interesting is that this person found it necessary to state which qualifications they possess.

I decided to write this blog... to help everyone who is in this particular position. Maybe you are not a qualified electrical engineer, maybe you are. Whichever way it is, my answer for this particular person and for you is exactly the same. And here it is!

Choosing a business to start all depends on you. The truth is it is very hard to start a business so you have to work hard to succeed. There are more chances of you failing than there are of you succeeding. If you want to succeed you have to work on your idea. Sometimes even through the night. Stick with it through all the stages of development. And in order to do so, you need PASSION! Ask yourself, "Am I passionate about this idea?" If you don't like what you pick chances are you will not succeed. 

 Another  important thing to note is - DO NOT PUT YOURSELF IN A BOX! - Just because you are an electrical engineer it does mean you should start an electrical engineering company. What do you love? What are you PASSIONATE about?  
Maybe you want to open a bar? Or manufacture baby clothes, go into mining, fashion design or be a consultant for electrical engineering? The sky is the limit! 

Picture
About The Author


Vongai C Mudzamba 
Co-Founder Zimbabwe Entrepreneur Zone
Twitter: @vongzie


I am and always will be inspired to inspire.



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