The Art of The Start
The Art of The Start
Certainly a lot of experience that can be shared. Both experiences were wonderful and beautiful not to be remembered. If you want to tell one by one, might be a novel. Today, I want to share 8 things that I think should be considered by anyone who is starting his own business. This is not a theory, not of books, but I took from my own experience.
1. Should Great Idea, But Still Down to Earth
When starting a business, frankly I and my colleagues have a myriad of great ideas. It was so great that perhaps, not quite realistic with the reality in the market. Our products bring the technology is good, but hardly could be sold. May have a great idea, but do not forget the reality of the market, due to its ends we have to sell something.
Not to repeat such a mistake, at least we should pay attention to:
First: What is the actual product? The only answer for me before, sometimes it's hard. Maybe so want to apply the principle of "what would lu cave there", to the extent that the figure of the "beast" it is not clear what. From A - Z cover all want in, get confused when I have to tell yourself to prospective customers. If we are just confused, how the want to buy?
Second: The product would be sold kesiapa? Who needs? Sometimes we in the IT field it was so cool to create products with the latest technology, to forget who actually need this product. We create because we can, not because there are those who need.
Third: Approximately how its market value? Gee, must market research? Yeah, but can small-scale market research, without pay consultants. That is, we simply can measure themselves, those who need the products we sell, in fact willing to pay. Lest it took hell need, but do not want to buy if asked. And then we also need to know how many potential customers in the area so our goal.
Fourth: What about competition? Who are the players the first time there. How much they dominate the market that was targeted earlier. Is the market fixed, developed, or are even shrinking.
Fifth: Why is our product better than competing products? What is unique about it? What are its advantages? What is its USP? etc.. How our strategy to bring our products to market earlier. What a sensational irresistible offer that we want to convey to our potential customers?
The fifth thing that you wrote earlier, it was the same with the marketing plan. It's not sophisticated, but big enough to ground our ideas.
2. "Content" is More Important than "parcel"
Why not it obvious? If you eat Duren, mending it what skin? Yes of its contents. For Duren case seems clear. Well, but for the beginner businessmen, it is often the temptation is to have a good package, its contents either there or not.
When setting up a new business, I have an understanding, that the name of business, office, must immediately comes complete infrastructure. Even if the new stand. Important that the wrapper first.
There is nothing wrong in fact, if his business goes well. But in my case first, because the revenue does not come, while "hang" the office was already cool, wear a suit everywhere. In fact, so similar play's offices ... hehehe.
I learned that it's useless waste of resources for the "package", if not its contents. Do not let the company seems to be a big package, but its contents are not there. Good his office, many employees, his boss up all mercy. But its revenue is consistently small. Yes it's useless. Conversely, without forcing yourself to "play office-office", anyway parcel will enlarge itself when its content is already huge. Without the need to force it.
3. The form of capital is not Always Money
Classic question always delivered in every discussion I've ever done is: "How to start a business, while I do not have the capital." Or "How do you want to start, I do not have any money?"
After running the business, you will understand that the initial capital is not always in the form of money. In my experience, when I try to invest the financial resources of all that I have, to an endless, it turns out that my efforts did not produce even initiated. Maybe because most of the runs for office-office play earlier. But just when I run out of the resources of money, and living resources of relying on ideas and networking, I actually started running the business.
So I think the main capital that must be held is the idea or notion. And this idea produced by our own brains, free. If you currently do not have any idea, no apa2. Still a no brainer right? Because while it is a no brainer, the idea will be dating myself, of course, if we continue to stimulation through reading books, discussions and brainstorming with friends. If after the check turned out to also have not got a brain, well that's another matter.
I believe that an idea is proven to generate money, then by his own will attract other things to support it. Including attractive capital owners in the form of money that we need.
Well, so we also have to have the skill to sell the idea. Idea or ideas before we have to get to the right people, the right way, at the right time. So if you want to start businesses should get used to convey ideas, either orally, in writing or through demonstration. This skill is not easy, but can be practiced and learned.
4. You is not Superman
Perhaps, in our previous work is known to have good technical skills. It may be that we are engineers with a myriad of skills and certifications in hand. But a good tech, if then required to sit in the ranks of management, not necessarily going to be a good manager.
As a manager, is no longer a technical skill that must be mastered, but more strategy and tactics of how to get results through others. However, a good manager can not necessarily be a good entrepreneur as well. Because the entrepreneur, not to mention how to take care of today, but should future-oriented, more concerned with vision, willing to carry the company.
Great programmer, not always is a great project manager as well, a successful project manager in a variety of implementations, not necessarily going to be a powerful entrepreneur. All three are different figure. And if you can not be all three, then you need someone else to be your business partner. If you are good at development in the field, and only want to work in terms of development, then you need a partner who control resources management, marketing, finance, etc..
Partner in the business is not easy. My first attempt, which was founded by four partners, did not go well. We decided to split up in the front. Because it is hard to stress the idea of 4 heads.
To be able to run well, its keyword is lack of trust ("trust"), and tolerance. After all, we are not Superman. We are not a perfect man, then we also have to accept imperfection of our partners.
5. Make the Network
I forget that the early stages of building a business is the proximity to the employment network. In fact, later proved, the network is a valuable treasure.
First, we must recognize our customer community. If I need to attend their meetings, if any. Interact with intense with them. So that we can understand the "what's hot" and can immediately respond with products or solutions that we offer.
Secondly, we also have to be known among the similar business. Important to exist and be known by similar companies, especially those that had already been developed. We should be cooperative, not competitive. If the expertise we've known, not surprisingly, are often important jobs can come from collaboration with peers.
Third, we must also exist in the eyes of the owners of capital. Is it a bank, financial institution, or individuals who have money but are confused about what business. Their track record we have good eyes. During growth, their support will be crucial.
Fourth, we also have to close with the parties that could potentially help the marketing of our products. Whether it's as a partner, agent or reseller.
Fifth, if we need a third-party product, then we must be close to the network supplier. If there is, then good again entered in the supplier community, so we do not rely on one party alone.
6. Not Ashamed To "Narcissistic"
Many IT businessmen friends who I know are very good at creating products. Unfortunately they are too "coy". Well, if it became entrepreneur, it's time to "narcissistic narcissistic tiger".
How do people know you have a great product, if you keep to yourself. Present yourself and your product, that is known. By doing so you are helping make life people who are looking for your product.
No need expensive advertising. Was diligent about sharing what you love. Both offline and online. Diligent writes, commenting on the mailing list, and talk about the topics you're good, your business related. Share their knowledge for free, do not think too much about the money first. Once you get the attention and reputation, then money will follow.
7. Remain flexible
As long as you are in a business trip, stay flexible. Indeed, you are advised to formulate clear objectives, so the action knows exactly what to do. But the goal is not dead which maps restrict your movement. More in line we call this goal is the compass that points where you will go. If there is a surprise in the middle of the road? Yes, improvisation-lah.
At the time of starting the business of IT, I intend to sell the system for remote trading. Eh it failed. Then, had the vision to build a mobile solution provider. Less greng. Position as a web application developer, tolerable, but a little "undernourished". Understandably new Kismet form. When there is an opportunity to enter the market of IT Service Management and IT Asset Management, and we try. It runs. And every pilot who had lived was like finding momentum.
Business is more of a surprise, compared to the events of "appropriate scenario". Try if I "fanatic" just want selling remote trading solutions, for example. For the sake of the vision, goals, and objectives sacred inviolable bounds for example. Who knows what will happen. I decided my goal of becoming a guide, without rejecting the opportunities that are present in the middle of a trip.
8. Think Big - Start Small - Act Now.
Had big plans useless if not implemented. I once was known as a handyman to make plans. Easy once I bring up business ideas. None that I'm working on.
Until one day there was a friend cautioned. Stop discourse. Do it. Well, this is confuse. Indeed, if you want to be done every so confused. So great ideals we should try to be broken in small plans. And the small ones that we used to do.
Want to have the number one online book store in Indonesia? A great ideals. But what is the first step? Because online store tiba2 You can not just show up. You may break the "start small". Catalog compiled a book that will be sold? Designing the look? Choosing an online application store that fits? Buy a domain? Book hosting? And so on. When broken down into small jobs, all so it makes sense to work with.
Well, when did it start? Yes now! All can be done right now. Do not have the money to buy a domain, can design the look first. Online application can not store, could learn before, and so on. So, Think Big - Start Small - Act Now!
Then, why are still reading my writing. Let's start working now!
Just it for post today about the art of the start. thank you for visiting my blog..!
