Exploring a Business Opportunity

"I can make a good living in my current job, but I sit at a desk all day long and I hate it. I am looking for something I'll enjoy doing and gives me financial freedom."

"I have an idea for a new product. What is the next step?"

"I can offer the same service for a better price and make a decent living. Where do I start?"

"My friends say I am a good at ____________. Right now it's a hobby but I wonder if I should pursue this further?"

Every day, opportunities present themselves to those who know what to look for. Changes in the economy, the 2010 Olympics, a partnership or franchise investment opportunity, or even the sudden loss of work, can all be considered opportunities. How do you differentiate a good opportunity from a bad experience? How do you research your idea without wasting valuable time and money?

Test Your Business Acumen

If I have a great business plan, a bank or investor will give me money.	Fact	Myth
I should not do this business because someone else is doing it.	Fact	Myth
The first step for any business is to research and register the name.	Fact	Myth
If I build my business customers will find me.	Fact	Myth
For any business, start-up capital is the key.	Fact	Myth
Market research is about learning about my industry and market.	Fact	Myth
Entrepreneurs are risk-takers and gamblers.	Fact	Myth
One key priority is keeping my business idea a secret.	Fact	Myth
If my prices are lower than the competition, I will be successful.	Fact	Myth
Customer service a unique selling proposition.	Fact	Myth

Exploring self-employment is the first phase to starting any business. We invite you to attend a free Business Information Session where a business advisor answers your questions and gives guidance in this informative 2 hour workshop that helps you:

Identify where you are on the Business Start-up Map
Become focused and in a new mindset
Eliminates myths about business start-up
Understand the modules of business, their importance, and their relationship to your business plan
Pursue research and analysis, correctly and diligently
Prepare for building your business plan
Understand the resources available and how to properly use them
Recognize and understand the top five mistakes start-ups make
Learn what market research is and how to do it

Thinking up the concept is definitely the first step, but a small step. So many questions must be answered before you move forward with your new business venture. If you have been considering a career change or self-employment and you are not sure what the right choice for you is, then the Toward Excellence "Design Your Future" is program for you!

This three-week program is designed to help identify your skills and interests, explore your personality style, strengths and areas of challenge, research your career and/or business ideas and make an informed decision about your future direction. You will learn more about what kinds of skills are needed to make successful transition into a new career direction or self-employment. For more information, see the Toward Excellence website.

Be prepared. One constant in business is anything, good or bad, that can happen, will happen.

PS: All the statements in the Test Your Business Acumen are myths!