You must erase from your mind everything I wrote. Including the typos. It was not intended for you. Step over here, please:
Posted on 02/20/2011 6:38:49 AM PST by Namelesshero
Yes, I know that there is google and I could search for it, but user input is useful...
Do any of you guys know of a good web forum for business people to ask questions? Like a web forum? Which ones seem good. (I am starting a business.)
Advice from a fellow FReeper:
Why would you want to go to other “start up” people to find the answers to your questions? Seems to me that is NOT a good source. Instead, why don’t you go ask your questions among proven SUCCESSFUL business owners?
Or ask us FReepers. We’re a pretty smart bunch.
What makes you think there aren’t any SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNERS on FR?
I’ve been using Quora - it’s a good resource. Good luck on your business!
Don't take advice from people who want to give you advice.
Use the internet to find out everything you possibly can about your competition.
Use the internet to research the biographies of individuals who have been successful in the field of your new business.
To be successful in a business venture, you must have the equivalant of a PhD in the business side of the business. You have to know everything there is to know about how money is made in that business, and how money can be lost in it. You have to know who all the major players are, who the competition is, what they are doing, and how they screwed up. If they haven't screwed up, how are you going to break in? How is your idea better.
You have to know the history of the business, and how the industry (whatever industry it is) got into its present state. You have to understand this intimately, so that you can see how your business is going to fit into the bigger picture.
How will you know when you've learned enough?
You'll have learned enough when you can talk to someone else, someone who's been in that business a long time, and make them listen to you. And why will they take time out of your busy day to listen to you? Because you can teach them something they need to know.
The internet can help you do this. "Start up web forums" probably are useless.
“Don’t take advice from people who want to give you advice” is about the best advice I have ever seen. But now I am caught in a paradox!
That was not his question. He asked if we knew of a start-up business forum. Perhaps I should have just said... why don't you ask us FReepers?.....LOL
Ok. I misread your answer.
But, you’re right.
He just needs to ask the Successful business owners on here!
:0)
Yes, to talk to successful business people/ that would be great.
So, all the above said.....
Nameless, What kind of business are you wanting to start so we can give you some advice?
You must erase from your mind everything I wrote. Including the typos. It was not intended for you. Step over here, please:
Successful business owners are the ones who ignore what other people are saying and focus on customer service. Find a mentor, instead - someone local and successful who is willing to give you a few hints. If you must look at forums, sign up for LinkedIn and go to some of the groups there - the advice is somewhat better and comes from a healthier perspective.
Steely Tom's definition of "entrepreneur..."
Entrepreneur: One who knows how to figure out the answer to the question 'which came first, the chicken or the egg?'"
Not to be confused with the answer to the question "why did the chicken cross the road?" To get that, you need a professor.
Tommmmmm... what a pretty light! ... I , uh was going to.... uh .... do I know you?
My general advice (from a successful businesswoman) would be to:
(1) Be sure that the product or service you intend to sell is indeed something that people will want and be able to buy.
(2) Have a good business plan BEFORE you begin.
(3) Legally Incorporate
(4) Be sure you have the funding. Don’t go into debt (too risky these days)
(5) Have a GOOD WORKABLE plan for marketing your product or service.
(6) Maintain an impeccable “image”, reliable, honest, capable.
(7) and I will add - PRAY a lot!
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