from my personal experience--been there, done that--in my own businesses and helping others.
Technology offers many opportunities for small business. Using today's technology, your place of business can be at home--or in the local coffee shop.
I'm not just talking tablets and cell phones here. And you don't have to be a rocket scientist to take advantage of our galloping technology.
Example: A woman once came to me for advice on starting up a business idea she had. It was the 1980s, and she had heard that magnets were being used to help speed recovery of sports injuries. She wanted to put magnets inside horse blankets so that horses could recover more quickly after workouts, races, shows, etc. I sent her off to do more market research by talking with prospective buyers. When she returned, she had orders in hand. Her business was self-funded from day one--no loan, no written business plan, no government help.
It's one thing to use technology as a product basis. It's quite another to use the technological reach of today's Internet capabilities.
Example: Another woman came to me wondering how to turn her love of baking brownies into a real business. She had baked brownies for years, giving them away, providing treats to local gatherings, selling at local fairs and flea markets. I advised her to think of a larger, more substantial market--corporate meetings, organizations holding seminars, spas and retreats, and the like. How to reach out? By using the many possibilities offered by the Internet. She put a basic website in place, and began using social media--these were now her sales force, together with an enthusiastic word of mouth trail. The UPS truck now comes to her place every day, loads up packages of brownies, and delivers them all over the United States. All this with no loan, no written business plan, and no government help.
Technology can be used in various ways in small business. It can form the basis of a business, or it can provide the foundation for sales and marketing. Or both.
Technology provides you with the means to shoot the moon. Go for it.
My personal experience with small business extends back to 1972--that's when I left corporate America and established my first business. These days I write about business and coach people in small business. Questions? Email me at AlWarr16@gmail.com and put BLOG in the subject line so I don't delete. Your privacy is always respected.
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