How to turn problems into money
Author: John Dashfield
Author: John Dashfield
When you think about it, every single product and service begins its life as somebody's problem. We all have things in life that we'd rather pay somebody else to do, either because we simply don't want to do it or don't have the expertise. The reason we buy products is because they save us time, money, effort or enhance our lives in some way. How often are you innovating new products, services and ideas to help your clients? Often, the businesses that stand out from the crowd are the ones that really take the trouble to listen to their customers and then do something about it by helping them solve their problems. This is where the opportunities for growth are. Something new gives you a reason to speak to your customers and build your reputation. I believe there is opportunity around us all the time but we have to be on the lookout for it. I've heard many fascinating stories about how people have developed their businesses and one of my favourites is my sister Anne's idea. Going back a few years, when Anne's children first went to school, they soon started getting invited to their friend's birthday parties. At the end of the party the kids are traditionally given a 'party bag' full of little goodies like sweets and small toys. The kids love them. Anne found that getting these bags together when her children had a party was time consuming and required quite a bit of effort. So what did she do? She figured that lots of other people must have the same problem! She searched out suppliers of little toys, goodies and sweets. She found a supplier of nice bags and then created a website advertising a 'kid's party bag service'. Within a few months she had a successful business doing brisk trade. She'd gone from getting bags together for her own kids party to a successful business all because she'd turned a problem into a solution that people would pay money for. In our own businesses it's so easy to just be busy all the time and forget to innovate. But great ideas rarely develop if you've got your nose to the grindstone all the time. Do you have a way of recording and developing your ideas? Richard Branson is famous for carrying around his notebook to jot down ideas. Some people use electronic notepads. I have found my Franklin Covey planner, which goes with me everywhere (well, nearly everywhere!) the best place to scribble ideas. Every week set aside some time to take a look at your ideas and decide which ones you're going to work on. Copyright of Dashfield Coaching and Development LtdAbout the Author:
John Dashfield is a leading business and personal success coach. He uses many powerful and unique tools that help business people grow profits, save time and lead more inspiring lives.
Often challenging popular thinking, Johns vision is to help businesses and the people in them live in harmony within the community and the environment as well as achieving financial success. To receive more thought provoking free articles visit
http://www.dashfield.com and sign up for his monthly ezine.
Hard Money is Becoming Harder by:Dominic Mazzone Empowering Entrepreneurs: Purchasing Co-ops Give Small Businesses An Edge by:Donna Abernathy The Meaning Of (IT) Life by:Dr. Jim Anderson Advancing Organizational Effectiveness Through Understanding and Taming Corporate Frauds: The Heart of the Matter by:Dr. Oladele Akin-Ogundeji Pushing Success - The Kabbalistic Way by:Itzhak Mizrahi Blueprints of How To Trade For A Living by:J.W. Lee Build Business Around Your Best Customers by:Judy Downing Even Inadequate Cash In Hand-Turn Your Way For Standard Chartered Credit Cards by:Kristy Smith Types of French Mortgages for Non-Resident Purchasers by:Lucas Martin Throwing the BS Flag by:Mark Gavoor MRPs and Inventory Management by:Mark Gavoor Cash Flow Notes Stimulus by:Mark Nelson Profit From Every Market Direction - Up, Down, or Sideways by:Michael Calhoun, Juris Doctorate