One good way to approach task of naming a business is to do so from your customer's point of view. Your business name should clearly define your offering and communicate your message to customers. Put yourself in your customer's shoes for a moment. If you were looking for a business that provides your product or service, what would you expect that business to be called? If you were in market for computer parts, for example, wouldn't you look for a business that has "computer parts" reflected in business name? Jim's Computer Parts may not sound as snazzy as Jim's Electronics Emporium, but snazzy doesn't pay bills. Happy customers who quickly identify you as source of their purchase do.

The name of your business can also spark subconscious reactions in a customer that may drive them to you or drive them away. Words like quality, complete, executive, best, low-cost, and on time often spark positive reactions in mind of consumer. Words like cheap, discount, and used tend to create negative emotions. You'll notice that no one claims to sell used cars anymore, but dealer lots are loaded with vehicles that are "previously owned."

Finally, let's talk about things to avoid. Experts agree that you should avoid using generic terms like enterprise, corporation, partners, and unlimited as part of your everyday business name. These terms are fine for legal business entity name, but are often too unclear for everyday use. Can you tell me what any of these companies do: ABC Corporation, Big Dog Enterprises, M&B Partners, and Discounts Unlimited sell? I didn't think so.

Also avoid abstract names like Yahoo, Google, Monster and Flip Dog (I am not going to list names of numerous local high tech firms that have bucked this rule :o). Abstract names will require a subtitle to explain what business does or an expensive marketing campaign that brands name into minds of consumers. Unless you have deep pockets, I suggest you go with a name that describes your business at first glance and leave abstraction to likes of Cher.

Finally, you should avoid hokey names, unless of course, you are starting a hokey business. Crazy Dave's Stereo Shop is a great name if business is really run by Crazy Dave and his personality is exploited in marketing of business.

However, if you want to be taken serious, then give your business a serious name.

Would you go to Crazy Dave's House of Dentistry?

Neither would I.

Here's to your success.

Tim Knox tim@dropshipwholesale.net For information on starting your own online or eBay business, visit http://www.dropshipwholesale.net

Many would argue that key to success for most of these ventures was that founders (or VC financing them) were smart enough to know that while they had an abundance of education, they needed experienced managers to really run show.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin were college students when they started company that would become Google. They were smart enough to bring in Eric Schmidt to be chairman and CEO when business took off. Schmidt was former CEO of Novell and CTO of Sun Microsystems. A PhD, Schmidt is a man of education and experience.

Jerry Yang and David Filo were candidates in Electrical Engineering at Stanford when they started YAHOO (Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle) in 1994. They brought in Tim Koogle from Motorola to run things shortly thereafter and now company is led by Terry Semel, who previously spent 24 years running Warner Bros.

Now on to experience. Is experience a prerequisite of business success? Again, not at all. Many experienced entrepreneurs gained their experience in failed businesses, so experience does not instantly translate to success.

So, when it comes to succeeding in business, which is more important: education or experience? While neither is as helpful as a rich relative, here's answer that will hopefully help me avoid those worms: Both education and experience can play a large part in business success.

The more important question is can you succeed in business without one or other, or even without both? And answer to that one is: yes. Can I get ketchup with those worms?

Many successful businesses were started by first time entrepreneurs who never went to college. Natural talent, ambition, drive, determination, and good old dumb luck have fueled many success entrepreneurs, myself included. I don't have a degree (I drove past a college once. It looked hard, so I kept going). Would a degree have helped make my business trek easier? Perhaps.

Then again, I know people with advanced degrees who are flipping burgers at McDonalds. It's good experience, I suppose.

A combination of education and experience (and a variety of other things) is best recipe for success. As old saying goes, "There is no better education than that which comes from experience."

In end, it really doesn't matter how much education, experience, talent, luck or money you have. It's what you do with it that matters.

Here's to your success.

Tim Knox, Founder For more information on starting your own online business visit http://www.dropshipwholesale.net, website for online entrepreneurs.