Monday, September 29, 2008

What To Look For In Small Business Opportunities

By Myles Krueger

In any business it is necessary to have a vision statement which is a systematic assessment of all the factors critical to your business purpose and goals. If you do not know how, why and where are going somewhere, how will you get there? A vision statement is the formula for this.

For any business to succeed it must have a business plan and if it is not presented don't go with them. The primary value of any business plan would be to create a written outline that evaluates all aspects of the economics viability of the venture. It also includes a description and analysis of the business prospects.

If you choose to operate your own small business, this plan would be useful in a number of ways. Here are some of the reasons not to skip this valuable tool for your success. This will show you why it is important to plan.

Be conservative in predicting capital requirements, timelines, sales and profits because few business plans correctly anticipate how much money and time will be required. It's best not to ignore spelling out your strategies in the event of business adversities. Use simple language in explaining these issues.

Often new entrepreneurs depend entirely on the uniqueness of their business or their patented invention. It is best to remember that success comes to those who start businesses with great economics and not just great inventions. As you put all of these factors together, your starting model will be easier to understand.

A most common mistake new small business owners make is not picking the right business to begin with. If you do not already have one picked out, it is best to learn by working for someone else before begin your own. There can be a large gap between your concept and a business reality.

The seller of an existing business will often provide some of the financing and will be your best source of financing. This is because businesses are sold by motivated sellers. In many cases, the seller will take cash down and let you pay the rest out of earnings over a period.

Other places to seek financing are Small Business Administration, which offer loan programs. Venture capital firms, commercial banks, and credit unions are additional sources to check with for lending. If you have been planning this for a while you should have savings prepared for this purpose.

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