Small Business Boomers

What’s up with your competition? Do you know who they are? What are their strengths? Where are their gaps or opportunities? What is their target market? Who are their customers? How can you tailor or market your products to compliment their identified target market?
Your competition are those companies who currently sell the same or similar products or services. It is important for you to know who you are competing with. The questions I ask in the introduction are just a few of the questions you should be asking yourself about your competition.

I wonder if Dave Thomas, Wendy’s founder, …read more

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It is late morning and I am committed to recognizing 5 more blogs from the Problogger Writing Project this week. In the end there were 893 total submissions. The grand prize winner was Nancy R. Callahan for her entry Baby Names from Video Games. I

The Top 5 Blogs I found in my reading last night are:
1. Top 5 Things to Consider When Starting a Business
2. Top 5 Young Entrepreneur Projects
3. Top 5 Actions to Build An Online Business
4. Top 5 Ways to Become a Millionaire
5. Top 5 Questions – To Spark New Marketing Ideas
If you are interested in reading the …read more

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How do you define a customer? In short, a customer is someone who is willing to pay for the products and services that you offer. If I were in the business of adding to this definition, I would say a customer is someone who is willing to pay for your products and services over and over. They are committed and loyal to what you are offering in the marketplace. But, that’s my definition.
How do you find customers? You must find prospects first. Who are you targeting? Have you done any market research? Who are potential buyers? If you don’t …read more

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It is just after midnight east coast time and I have been reading the many Top 5 Blog submissions from Problogger’s Writing Project. Yesterday was Day 3 and I was determined to get my submission in. I challenge everyone of you to go and have a read. There are some interesting reads and there are some not so interesting reads, but it is definitely worth the adventure.
First I want to say to Darren, I love the idea. It was great to participate. I am exhausted from all that I read tonight and I have many more to read over the …read more

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Should you conduct market research? In a word – YES! Your competition uses market research. Here are a few things to remember as you consider the value for your organization.
1. Garbage in/ garbage out – The information you gather from the market research results will only be as good as the information you choose to collect. If you choose to use surveys or sampling with your customers or prospective customers it will be very important that you ask the right questions. You should not have to guess about the results you are looking at in the end.
2. Interviews are very …read more

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On my blog, Tough Questions? Great Answers! I created a new term, sort of…. Anyway, the new term is Marketing YOUrself, which is read Marketing You Yourself. For some reason, I thought I would focus on marketing over the next few days here at Small Business Boomers. Whether you are marketing you, yourself or you are marketing your business, yourself, marketing is critical to the success of your business.
Marketing is sales, and yet it is more than sales. Marketing is also about creating a compelling strategy that literally pulls in consumers to buy. From my perspective it is your responsibility as a …read more

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Many people think that when starting a business they need to spend endless and I mean endless hours just to make it go!! At some level that is true. I do believe that sweat equity is critical in the start-up of a business, but it doesn’t mean you should quit your day job.
When should you quit your day job? Well, I really don’t know, but you need to know. Only you can really answer that question. What seems right to me, may not seem right to you and vice versa.
Prior to quitting your day job, I would recommend that you …read more

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Are you a Risk-Taker? Or do you need a sure thing in order to start or grow your business? Risk-taking is a prerequisite for any entrepreneur. No matter how you slice it, there is never a guarantee with any business.

When I think about risk-taking I see Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on water. When I think of resistance to risk-taking I see a rut; a rut where many people are stuck. That rut represents your comfort zone.
Stepping out of the boat = RISK vs. Rut = Comfort Zone
Where do you live? I will not presume to know where Boomers live between walking on water …read more

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I found a contest for 5  Small Business Owners for a Business Makeover. The contest is called The MSN Business Breakthrough Challenge, presented by Visa. The deadline for your entry is due September 30, 2007. Take a look at the summary I pulled from the Business Breakthrough site. Let me know if you plan to submit your business!

Take the Business Breakthrough Challenge

 
As a small business owner, you’re faced with tough challenges all the time. But how often do you tackle a challenge where you have the chance to win prizes that make your business more efficient? Now’s your chance with …read more

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Given the years of experience and creativity, that Baby Boomers bring to whatever they choose to do, dare I suggest this unique approach taken by Standoutjobs. 

StandoutJobs is a brand new business, just taking off and getting started and they have found a unique approach for finding a Ruby Guru. The use of a Video introduction of their new organization. What a interesting use of Technology Today. By sending this video link to prospective candidates, Benjamin Yoskovitz and his partners have an excellent opportunity to communicate to the global stage what they are looking for in this employee.
Check out their video presentation. What …read more

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