The first thing I suggest is that you order a copy of The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship. Don't get the newest edition Shohei Ohtani Angels Jersey , it's too expensive. Your first lesson from me in entrepreneurship will be to get the most for your money. The ISBN is 0471577804. While it's an older edition, it's a fraction of the price of the newest edition and the lessons in the book have not changed much over the years.
This is probably the best book that any entrepreneur starting out could read. It covers all the aspects of entrepreneurship from writing your business plan and marketing plan to the core concepts 'the ingredients for success, the entry barriers Justin Upton Angels Jersey , characteristics of a successful venture etc. Many of the lessons in this article are drawn from what I've read in that book and found in my real world experience to be true.
There are some questions you will need to answer before starting out on your adventure. The answers to these questions will help you gain insight into whether your business will be successful or not.
What problem does your business solve?
Since people will be paying you, your business needs to solve some problem that people have. If there is already a business that solves this problem, your business needs to solve it faster or more efficiently. In my case I solve computer problems. There are lots of people in Atlanta that have computer problems and they either don't want to take the time to fix them or they don't have the time to learn how to fix them. Their time is better spent on the work that they do.
Do you already have customers for your product or service?
To take a line from The MBA in Entrepreneurship Zack Cozart Angels Jersey , if you don't have any customers that are ready to buy your product, you have only an idea, not a business. Before I went full time into computer support Albert Pujols Angels Jersey , I was already giving computer support on a part time basis, so I already had quite a few customers.
Skills
There are certain skills and qualities I think are essential to being a good entrepreneur. Is it possible to get by without these skills? Maybe, but I simply cannot fathom being successful if any of the following are lacking.
* Organization
I cannot fathom trying to run a successful business being disorganized. With so much to keep track of Nolan Ryan Angels Jersey , good organization is key. I use my computer and various software programs to keep myself organized. I would say 95% of the info I store and use is in digital format. I hardly have anything in paper format, and if I do I try to take steps to get them into digital format.
* Communication
Again, I cannot imagine having a successful business without this ever important skill. This is an area where I personally need to improve and I try to do as much as possible to do so. Writing a blog is a great way to improve your communication skills because it forces you to structure your thoughts. Also I watch very little television. If I get a spare moment I try to read books instead. I always have an electronic dictionary nearby so that I can look up any words that I'm unsure of.