Business and Work Success for the Phlegmatic Melancholy
Much has been written about strategies for seeking and securing employment. Much less has been written about finding a way to stay happy once you have secured a position. Well, let’s take that step. Let’s say you have gotten that job of your dreams only to discover your still are not happy. What next?
Over the years I have encountered many people who simply are not suited to work for someone else, at least not exclusively(myself included). I usually suggest these folks read a few books I have to loan them. Without going in to specific titles, what follows here is the gist of most of those books.
Once you control for dumb luck and epiphanies there is really only one pathway to success in just about any business venture.
Due Diligence.
What do I mean by “reasonable person”? If you have committed yourself to the success of a business by putting all your financial resources, time, talent and experience into the business to the point you may be penniless and destitute if the business fails, you may consider yourself a reasonable business person. Well, not quite that strict, but very nearly.
How do you accomplish this?
- Assess where you are right now in your life. The four “F’s.” How satisfied with the
- Fun,
- Family,
- Funds and
- Freedom in your life are you?
2. Describe your ideal life.
3. What do you love to do?
4. What do you do well?
Chose a business model.
1. Home based.
2. Separate physical location
3. Internet based.
4. Franchise.
Build a business plan.
1. Define your concept.
2. Is there a need?
3. Identify your model.
4. Why is yours better than the others?
5. How large is the market?
6. Define your role.
7. Identify your partners.
8. Identify your book keeping and money intake methodology.
9. How much start up money will you need?
10. Identify your funding sources.
11. Identify your success criteria.
Write a business plan.
1. Executive Summary.
2. Business Description.
3. Market Analysis.
4. Marketing and distribution.
5. Personnel.
6. Ultimate Business Goal.
7. Financial Breakdown.
Choose your ownership model.
1. Soul proprietorship.
2. Corporation.
3. Partnership.
4. Limited Liability Companies.
Funding your business.
1. Bootstrapping
2. Debt Financing
3. Grants
4. Friends and Family
5. Angel Investors
6. Factoring
7. Venture Capitalists
Describe the logistics.
1. Accounting
2. Legal Services
3. Insurance
4. Banking
5. Information Technology
6. Website Development
7. Merchant Banking/e-Commerce
8. Travel
9. Real Estate
Of course if you are a Sanguine just forget about this and go have some fun!