Your business idea
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One of the most important things when you are thinking about self-employment is to make sure you have a good business idea.
There are lots of different ways to get a good business idea. Some people spot an opportunity or have an idea out of the blue. Others have a particular skill, interest or talent that they want to use. It might also be possible to develop a hobby or pastime.
Your idea may be a new product or service or it might be a different way
of doing something that other people already do. However it is important to make sure that the idea fits your skills and interests.
There are lots of different ways to get a good business idea. Some people spot an opportunity or have an idea out of the blue. Others have a particular skill, interest or talent that they want to use. It might also be possible to develop a hobby or pastime.
Your idea may be a new product or service or it might be a different way
of doing something that other people already do. However it is important to make sure that the idea fits your skills and interests.
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- You might want to think about what you are good at and develop your idea from there. How can you use your skills to do something different?
- Look at what’s going on around you and solve an everyday problem. For example more and more people are keen on living healthily – is there a new way to do this? Are there particular people who might need extra help?
- Can you think about the goods or services you would find useful? You can then find out if other people would find them useful too.
- You may want to try making or doing a few things to see what works.
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Talk to other people, see what they suggest. If you have a job coach, they should be able to help.
Remember, good ideas take time and are more likely to come when you start looking at what other businesses do and talking to people who could be your customers.
It is very rare that a business idea comes from nowhere. Most of the time it is about looking for opportunities and perhaps trying a few ideas. Your best business idea might not be your first.
Remember, good ideas take time and are more likely to come when you start looking at what other businesses do and talking to people who could be your customers.
It is very rare that a business idea comes from nowhere. Most of the time it is about looking for opportunities and perhaps trying a few ideas. Your best business idea might not be your first.
What will you sell?
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Using the worksheet below, try to describe your idea and what you might sell.
Think about where you will sell it, if each sale will be the same and what you need to get started, such as other people or transport.
Even if your idea is not fully formed, try to think about how you would tell other people what your idea is.
You might want to come back to this page as your ideas develop.
Think about where you will sell it, if each sale will be the same and what you need to get started, such as other people or transport.
Even if your idea is not fully formed, try to think about how you would tell other people what your idea is.
You might want to come back to this page as your ideas develop.