The best source for learning is to actually work in business. In ferociously competitive world of small business, this is not always possible. Still, it's worth trying to find a mentor who can describe pitfalls, frustrations and potential disasters as well as successes

> Seven Ways to Come Up With A Dynamite Business Concept

- Look for Opportunities at Work. Corporations are eliminating operations, thus creating gaps in service. If you can deliver this service, you may be able to start in business with several substantial customers.

- Become a Better Observer. Carry around a notebook and jot down products and services you can't find. Note when you don't get good service or when a product doesn't deliver what it promises. Can you do better?

- Re-establish Something That Has Disappeared. There is a tremendous nostalgia boom in America because consumers are basically dissatisfied with today's level of service. Is there something you enjoyed in past but which is no longer available in your area? See if others share your interest.

- Give New Life to Ordinary. Imagine perfect setting for a routine service, such as shoe repair or dry cleaning. See if you can bring it to life and still make a profit.

- Study Trends. TV news programs, magazines and newspapers all report stories that reflect changes in values and lifestyles. Current examples include difficulty in coordinating family schedules, a more conservative investment outlook and an aging population.

- Uncover a Business within a Business. Some businesses have become so overblown that their essential service has almost been ignored. Resurrect it and create a new demand for an old need.

- Look Back to your Childhood. Your old hobbies can grow into a business. You can start out with advantage of an area you already know a lot about.

The above example illustrates how to take a large project and break it down into smaller projects and to set deadlines for them so that you can get whole project done.

As any successful business owner will tell you, of paramount importance is to keep in touch with customers. You can call your regular customers often, perhaps every six weeks or every month. Or if calling is not feasible in your business, keep in contact by sending post cards, flyers, or a special announcement. Be sure to keep track of when you last talked with each individual, or were in contact with them. Also, if possible, make some comment that personalizes call, or written contact. For example, ask about new developments in their business or mention spouse or children by name. Know your customer. Make your customer feel important.

A great way to keep in touch with your customer is after you’ve made a sale, send a thank you note. If your business warrants it, if your customer will probably run out of supplies in three months, send a reminder note.

As we all know catalogs are great, however, they are very costly to mail. Rather than send a catalog why not just send a postcard to your customers announcing new items you have added to your catalog. If they use a particular product, mention that on post card. The holiday is a great time of year to contact customers. If your business warrants it, a birthday card is a nice touch. For example, my insurance company sends me a birthday card every year, along with a calendar.

Some other ways to stay in touch is to send them an article about your business or a catalog sheet (these usually focus on one or a couple of items) or start a newsletter and send it to your customers on a quarterly basis or more often if warranted.

Another excellent way to keep in touch with your customer is to become a resource for your customers. Remember, many times when you make a sale, you provide a solution to a problem. Lease purchasing is a solution for those who need to move their home quickly. A repair service is a solution for wear and tear that comes with time. Tax preparers provide a solution to those that dread tax time and all paperwork involved. Newsletters are a great way to become a resource. You could have a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) article on a particular product you sell. Make your customer aware that you can provide them with solutions for a certain type of problem. If your customer has a problem that you can’t solve refer them to another expert. If you are not sure of something when your customer asks, don’t bluff your way through it. Tell your customer that you will get back to them with an answer.

One of most important things is to deliver what you promise. If you say something will go out on a specific day, be sure it does. If you say you will get back to them with certain information, be sure you do so. Never let your customer down.

When your customers and others think of you, you want to be thought of as a problem solver. Someone who is reliable, organized, and cares. If you do all of above you can accomplish this and customers will call you, and more importantly, refer others to you.

Copyright 2003 DeFiore Enterprises