Starting a business? Are you realising a dream or avoiding a
nightmare?
Every business or business idea is conceived for different
reasons, but in most cases can be put down into two reasons,
either to realise a dream or avoid a nightmare. Many of us have
sat at work and decided there must be more to life and imagine
or dream what it would be like to be control of their own
destiny and own their own business. They dream of the rewards,
the respect and the quality of life owning their business could
bring. However there is another group of potential business
people. That is, those who are almost forced to start a business
because of the lack of jobs, their age or other restricting
criteria. It is important that you look at yourself and decide
which category you are in.
If you were to take these two potential business owners and
assume they are starting the same business at the same time in
the same area, you would be surprised how different the strategy
and expectations would be for success within their business
plans. One strategy would be based on high turnover and high
costs for marketing etc. a "think big, big rewards" culture. The
other would be based on cost conscious, little marketing but
small rewards foundations. Again it is important you realise
what category you because as humans we tend to base our
strategies around our experience of life. But what we should
understand is that strategies for success should be based on
what will make the business successful and not the circumstances
that drove you to start your business in the first place. The
only way to separate the two is to have an independent opinion
to act as "devils advocate" to your ideas and business plans.
Use models of similar businesses and try to mirror successful
proven strategies to increase your chances of success.
Ironically when you look at your business plan this way it can
sometimes feel it isn't worth starting at all, or more hassle
than its worth. If you now feel this way; then better you know
now than later. However if you still feel it is something you
can and must do, owning a business can be one of the most
rewarding and fulfilling challenges in life.